Hello everyone,

A while back I was checking the other sections of the Kitmaker network and in the Model Ship building group I found a current campaign for Riverine Craft Indo-China/Vietnam. They allow both ship and aircraft to be built so I decided to build something used often in the early 1950’s by the French Navy. I’ve been slowly working on it in between steps on the OA 4M Skyhawk for the Mark Sharpe Campaign.

Monogram 1/48 F6F-5 Hellcat:















Sincerely,
Brian

Hello everyone,

Just a little more progress on the Hellcat. Used some engine gray, steel and dark sea blue and a silver artist pencil. I will replace the kits wheels (which are way to skinny) with an extra pair from a hobby craft F4U Corsair kit I built long ago.







Sincerely,
Brian

Hello Everyone,

Progress on my Riverine Indo-China/Vietnam build. I applied the decals and sealed them with Future. From the few photos I could find of French Hellcats the markings were minimal so I did the same. I am working on the Bombs and Rockets now. When they’re finished I will add the gun stains and engine exhaust streaking and some small detail painting.







Sincerely,
Brian

Hi Brian!

This is a very nice Hellcat with a very nice decoration... I think the color of the aircraft is spot on and the weathering just fine. I can't wait to see more...

Jean-Luc

Hello jean-Luc,

I hoped you would like the choice of markings Thank you for your compliment. I will have more to post soon and the OA 4M is on track to be done in time as well.

Sincerely,
Brian

Very nice, Brian! I like your choice of insignia and that weathering looks great too.

Hello everyone,

I have finished my French Navy Hellcat for the “Riverine Build” The kit is 1/48 Monogram and stock except for changing the wheels and tires with a spare set from a Hobbycraft Corsair. The decals came with the kit and they gave me some trouble, but I think they turned out okay. I experimented a lot with lightening the base color to get the faded, worn look.

About 120 Hellcats were aquired from US Navy surplus stocks and were not in the greatest of shape when purchased for use in Indochina (Vietnam). In the early 50’s they operated from both land bases and carriers. Because of their limited numbers they were used hard. So I depicted a pretty worn bird. Attrition to combat and accidents was also heavy and eventually Corsairs were purchased to replace them.















Sincerely,
Brian

I am unsure about the colors of the wheel wells. Do you have a reference for it? Most GSB Hellcats I have ever seen, even ones loaned to foreign countries, had the wheel wells GSB

Your Hellcat turned out great. I like the way you weathered it. Nice job with the progress photos.

Hello Scott, nope I don't have anything specific on hand but I do recall seeing interior green on a Gloss Sea Blue Hellcat from someplace. I do not know if this was true of French Hellcats or not. It dosn't matter to me I just had fun building what I consider an unusual subject and trying some new techniques in painting. If I ever come across that photo again I will be happy to share it with you.

David, thank you for the compliment. I enjoyed building this Hellcat so much I have another surprise when we start the "Battle for Europe" campaign in June

Sincerely,
Brian