The additions look great Rowan.

Thanks, also, for the answers to my questions.

Allen

Looking sweet so far!

Man, this kit looks superb, I bought myself one today. This build's good for pointers and things to watch out during contruction, when I get around building mine.
Eduard's seems to be constantly improving their kits, even on small things. On this one, they have molded the gunsight glass as a separate part, nice touch, since single-part sights commonly have a nasty mold seam on the middle of the glass.
When I looked inside the box, I immediately thought of Eduard's P-39, and the pilot figure they haven't done since. Has anyone tried if the Airacobra pilot fits into this Hellcat as well?

Rowan, are there any more in-progress pics?

Hi Arseny

No pics yet, but there will be some soon - I promise. I haven't had much chance to work on the kit, but I'm partway through applying the first coats of camouflage and I'm doing a little "Copydex" weathering to show some bare metal in places.

All the best

Rowan

damn, I got excited when I saw you had posted Rowen- what a letdown.

looking forward to the next installment

Hi again

A quick update as promised. An easy mod that improves the look of things is to drill out the exhausts:



Something that's bugged me from the word go is what appear to be formation lamps near the wingtips. They bugged me in that they show up clearly in some wartime photos, hardly at all in others and weren't mentioned in any of my references. Eduard have moulded a circular panel in each position and I was going to leave it at that until, quite by chance, I came across a vintage set of drawings of the Hellcat that showed, quite clearly, the elusive lamps (although interestingly with teardrop fairings, which I've never seen in photos). Anyway, with some evidence at last for the formation lamps on at least some Hellcats, I've taken the plunge and drilled them out. I'll glaze them with PVA adhesive tinted clear blue.




The next photo looks like a disaster - but is actually deliberate!



I'm painting the Hellcat mostly with Hannants Xtracolour enamels. Prior to spraying the camouflage, I pre-painted areas that would show chipped paint in Humbrol flat aluminium and then applying latex with a toothpick and a small piece of scouring pad in a semi-random way to partly mask the aluminium. Once the camouflage is dry, I'll peel away the latex to create (hopefully) a chipped paint effect.

It looks dreadful at this half-way stage, but I've used the technique a couple of times with reasonable success so, touch wood, it should look OK when finished - we'll just have to wait and see...

I'll be away over the Bank Holiday weekend, so I won't be able to post any fresh updates until late next week, but then things should start to come together and begin to look like an aeroplane...

All the best

Rowan

Rowan,

Looks great. So the latex is a bit of a variation of using salt, but the same concept? Probably much easier than using salt. It is fun watching this come together, and if I didn't have too many kits already I think I might pick this up.

-Derek

Hi Derek

Yes, it is like the salt technique (although I have to admit I haven't used salt on anything beyond spray tests on scrap plastic). I used latex for the first time on Eduard's Yak 1 - although that time I went a stage further by showing chipped paint and then a worn temporary winter white-wash finish on top of that. I'm going to go all out on another build I've got going alongside the Hellcat - a Ki-43 with large areas of paint stripped away to reveal n/m. It's a finish I've wanted to try for ages and I'ev got the perfect excuse as part of a review of WEM's Japanese Colourcoats.

All the best

Rowan

Looks sweet so far.
Overall pics, please!

And to answer my own question, yes the Airacobra pilot does fit to the Hellcat's seat:
He sits a little high perhaps, but nothing a bit of grinding of the backside won't cure. (Ouch! )

Ahhhh... Finally.. Some tasty in-progress pics.. Those are really nice.

One thing I wonder - why can't you, Rowan, just use that sponge dipped in polished aluminium paint over the painted model? I've used same method on my FW-190A-4.

Anyway, I can't wait to see more of those Hellcat pics!!

Looks great so far, I have used Maskol in the past to do the same thing for the paint chips and it worked great.

Keep the pics coming!

Rowan, check those awesome WW2 Hellcat [here

Some of them could be very helpful during the weathering stage.

Hello Rowan

is this project still progressing or put back in the "stash"? ... just started mine.

cheers

Steffen

Hi Steffen

No, it's still on the workbench - the problem is that I haven't had a chance to do any building for the last couple of months! Life in general lately hasn't allowed me much time for Aeroscale and none at all for modelling, so I'm going to get my next few reviews posted (which will take my tally up to 300 - a nice round number at which to take a breather) and then concentrate what free time I have much more on enjoying myself again and actually building some models!

All the best

Rowan

Just a reminder, Rowan!!

when you have done your Zero it will need an opponent! I know we constantly surpass each other who needs the longest for a project,so I post my progress here again (just did in "Aces High" thread) so here just the pix:












hurry up mate!

cheers

Steffen

Nice work Steffen!

Despite being almost finished, I'm afraid my Hellcat is shelved currently and the Zero will have to wait a while for an opponent. Dragon's new Bf 110 is going to take all my available time (and space! LOL!) once I get started - hopefully, next week...

All the best

Rowan

Hi Rowan

wellll, I know the problem very well, but one or another time you should focus on finishing one model or you end up dying with a worthless stash (you can't gain money with started models on ebay) and no finished models

There was an editorial once in FSM where Paul Boyer (IIRC) advised to finish something ... did that and it is true it gives you some fun, new energy and motivation!!

but as I wrote, I am too guilty to raise the finger

cheers

Steffen

Hi Steffen

True words! - and that's my aim behind the Zero.

It's frustrating - I do actually finish quite a lot of models! But then I wake up and the kits are all part-disassembled again and spread in heaps around the workroom! I'm sure my flat must be haunted!

All the best

Rowan

Hi again

o.k. my bad. I read




and thought you were dropping it for the Messerschmitt.

cheers

Steffen

Hi Steffen

With my reputation, that's quite understandable - and I've only myself to blame!

But don't worry - I've got your good self, Jean-Luc, Nige and Andy urging me on to finish that one, so I don't dare let you all down!

All the best

Rowan

P.S. I am putting the Ta 152H on one side for the Bf 110 - but I figure one Dragon kit for another is a fair swap.

Rowan, I've to admit I'm your "modeling style" brother. I also like to build different kits simultaneously. I've got 3 models in progress: Tamiya's Fw-190A-8 and P-47D Razorback and Eduard's Ni-17.

The thing is that in some moment of building every of this model I find out I need some aftermarket or paints that I don't have. But, frankly speaking, I like building 3 kits in the same time.

Hello bro Arseny

just 3 .. I have at least 20 kits started at the same time .. about 10 of them on or near the Workbench (need to free some space for building sometimes ) ... once in a while I "get in the mood" (read I force myself) to finish some stuff as right now ..

so I thought to spare my "spirit" with slowbro Rowan

cheers

Steffen

Rowan Baylis
Step away from the Hellcat and 110
Place both hands where they can be seen clearly.....ON THE ZERO
Do not..repeat NOT return to the Hellcat or Me110 until the Zero is finished
.................
.......................
................................
Move along people, theres nothing to see here..move along

Help! Cartman's on the loose!



All the best

Rowan

-Matt