I’m currently working on rebuilding the old Otaki F6F-3 hellcat in 1:48 scale, and I want to modify it to F6F-5 standards. I’m stripping the paint today, so I need to know pretty soon. What things do I need to modify (I have a true details cockpit), and where can I find some references (preferably online) for the -5? Thanks in advance!
I don’t have any online references for you but the major differences were the front windshield, flat on the -5, no small bulges on the cowling where the exhaust exits over the wing, a staight dorsal antenna and no window behind the cockpit. Hope that is of some help.
The Otaki kit is a nice little kit but way short on details. If you like Hellcats as I do, pick up the Hasegawa F6F kit, a much better model. All of the Hasegawa Hellcats are basically the same kit but for a few varied sprues of detail, i.e. -3, -5N, -5K. So it doesn’t matter if you get the ‘Royal Navy’ F6F or the ‘USS Santee’ F6F, they’re the same kit with different decals.
Well for instance, the Arii kit has a one piece molded fusleage versus the Hasegawa F6F that has a separate nose cowling. Makes it a whole lot easier to attach a resin correct nose cowling. The Arii kit has a one piece blah engine versus at least a four piece engine in the Hasegawa kit. The Hasegawa F6F has a lower one-piece molded wing versus what the Arii kit has. The Hasegawa F6F just seems to have more than the Arii. Now, the Arii is a steal at $10.00 bucks or less. So its a trade off. Cheap or detailed?