This was one of those builds that was not supposed to be difficult, although somehow I made it a royal pain in the rear.
The kit is the H’gawa 1/48th with early ‘43’ markings and paint. Kinda reminds me of a Wildcat with the early slanted antenna and the blue/grey scheme. Not a particulaly difficult kit, but after having it sit idle on the bench for three months I lost my patience and rushed towards the end of the build. Ended up scratching the main canopy while removing the mask. As if that weren’t enough, I just had to rip a large portion of the starboard side double zeros by using tape to remove a piece of hair/dust. Way smooth…
I used some thin sheet styrene to open the cowls. I’m not sure if the bottom cowl flaps opened on the ‘3’ variant. Still have not mastered attaching one piece of antenna wire to another - the vertical to horizontal span. Could really use some pointers on that.
Overall it was a learning experience. time to go back to “gas-passers”.
Well, despite the issues, you pulled it off very well. A very well done bird. I have no criticism here. The tough ones always come out the best. I’d be proud…
Beauty of a Hellcat, Ray. I have to say I know how you feel…I get that same anxiety near the end of my builds, which always makes me rush and make “freshman errors”. But what you’ve shoen here looks outstanding…great job
Your paint and decaling look pretty good. I’ve built this same kit. I see a few things that might help in the future. Even though the kit comes with a two piece canopy, it is not designed to be opened, hence the canopy sitting way above the slide rails. The cowl flaps are a little big I think.
Get yourself some CA accelerator and some 2lb test fishing line for those aerials. A very small drop of the CA, then apply the monofilament, and touch a drop of accelerator to the surface. It will instantly bond, and the accelerator won’t hurt your paint. Then, take a heat source, ( I use a match) and CAREFULLY come into about an inch of the line …it will instantly become taut.
Yeah the main canopy did not want to sit open or closed. I was looking on Squadron yesterday at the AM canopy for this kit. I came across the usual squadron product, but I also saw another from Falcon. The Falcon product includes several options. I’ve never heard of this product. Any thoughts?
Oh, yeah - are the cowls to wide or too thick (or both)?
Great looking Hellcat! I know what you mean about a supposed easy kit turning difficult, I’m having the same trouble on my Tamiya Spitfire. Again, nice job!
