Hi there,
Can anybody point me in the right direction. I’m looking for walkaround close-ups of the cockpit, engine, wheel wells as well as some open sidepanels for the F6F Hellcat.
Hi Tappie! The Hellcat is my favorite WWII fighter and I’ve buit tons of them, so I know of a couple books that might help you. The F6F Hellcat Detail & Scale by Bert Kinzey is a great one to start with. It includes pics of restored Hellcats the the National Museum of Naval Aviation, NASM Silver Hill, and San Diego Aerospace Museum, and includes many color pics of the engine and cockpit areas as well as the others you wanted. It also has a modeler’s section in the back that has kit reviews of the Hellcat models currently avaliable. Another excellent reference is the Aerodetail F6F Hellcat. I forget the # off hand. It includes all color pics of every detail on that A/C from the engine to the tailhook. Most of the aircraft in it are flyable and slightly different from “stock” military confiuration however. The good thing is that the New England Air Museum’s F6F-5 (one of the most authentic stock Hellcat restorations) is features thruugh most of the book. The pics of that airplane are great, and I highly recommend that book. Those two should get you started o.k… You might check www.squadron.com to see if they have them. I’ve seen both in squadron’s catalogue many times.
Thanks Reb. I’m doing the 1/32 scale Hasegawa kit and though it’s an impressive kit, it lacks detail in the cockpit . I’d like to do some open panels to show more of what was inside the belly of the beast. I’ll check out the books you mentioned.
Both Verlinden and Lone Star Models make cockpit detail sets for that kit. Also, Tekincs makse a resin R-2800 (as if you need to replace the plastic one!). What markings are you going to do yours in?
Reb,
I just joined FineScale Modeling forums…and noted that you have built many Hellcat kits. I was hoping that you might know the markings and color schemes for the VF-38 & VF-40 who flew the mission over Ballale airfield on Sept 16, 1943. I believe it was their debut. Interesting fight in which Pappy, flying Corsair, was alomst shot down by one of the Hellcat pilots.
Can you help me with the markings? My resources don’t have anything on those two squadrons.
I lived in Spfld, Mass for 24 years and went down to the Bradley Airfield Museum many times…great place. It was the most fun when I would sit in the Corsair…and pretend I was an actual pilot. A kid at heart! 
Thanks, Rich
Ahhh, the hasegawa 1/32 -5 'cat - first kit I built when I first got back into modeling a year and a half ago.
I used the verlinden kit and did some scratchbuilding. I also used an aftermarket resin engine from some french manufacturer (contact resine, I believe). I did her up as Minsi III.
She makes a nice bird when finished
-Fred
Hey Tappie,
I would highly recommend Squadron Signals “Walk Around” of the Hellcat #9 (5509). It’s too a great resource of reference material…!!
Hope this helps…
Flaps up,
Mike
Rangers Lead The Way