CrankyCrafstman Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Well here goes. This is a pretty impressive model as has been stated before in reviews of this kit you have to follow the instructions to make sure you're building it the way you want, that is in flight. On the ground wings deployed or on the ground wings folded. Ok lets start. I'm going to jump ahead a little to show the fuel tanks I'm making so when you look through the wing structure you can see them instead of a big void. Here are some pictures. this tells sbout the fuel tanks on the Hellcat. this is the center section temporarily put together this is the center section with the port fuel tank that I scratch built out of .04" plastic card. this is the fuel tank by its self. this is looking through the wing structure. another view through the wing. another view. Thanks for looking Ron G 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackster Posted July 1, 2019 Share Posted July 1, 2019 Exciting stuff! Looking good so far! Cheers Kev 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Clunkmeister Posted July 1, 2019 Administrators Share Posted July 1, 2019 I'll be watching this one with interest 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrankyCrafstman Posted July 2, 2019 Author Share Posted July 2, 2019 Hey Ernie First I need to finish the bulid for the P&W R-2800-10W that goes in this kit. I already have an Airscale instrument panel set for it. I just purchased a 1/24 scale HGW p-51 seatbelt set for it (they were the same as the hellcat just a different color. I got a set of Master brass barrels for a 1/24 P-47 that I my use on it, the ones with no holes we'll see how it goes. Ron G 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harv Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 Oh cool ! I'll be following for sure !!.....harv 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Clunkmeister Posted July 2, 2019 Administrators Share Posted July 2, 2019 Ron, I’ve heard the engine is a real gem in this kit. From what I see on the sprues, I tend to agree. Ive got my Airscale goodies coming, and am going to gram the Master barrels as well. I’m kind of torn on schemes, but FAA probably for me, although I’ve also started looking at racer schemes as well. Just no GSB for me, I’ve got a Panther that’ll be GSB already. You’ll give a clinic on this I expect. I’m looking forward to sitting back and learning. E 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmayhew Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 following with interest! will definitely look to for F-3 options for this kit 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrankyCrafstman Posted July 2, 2019 Author Share Posted July 2, 2019 9 hours ago, Clunkmeister said: Ron, I’ve heard the engine is a real gem in this kit. From what I see on the sprues, I tend to agree. Ive got my Airscale goodies coming, and am going to gram the Master barrels as well. I’m kind of torn on schemes, but FAA probably for me, although I’ve also started looking at racer schemes as well. Just no GSB for me, I’ve got a Panther that’ll be GSB already. You’ll give a clinic on this I expect. I’m looking forward to sitting back and learning. E Hey Ernie It is a gem and will be really stunning when it is done, but it does have its flaws. Check out my other two posts on how to do the engine I think you will find them informative. Ron G 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrankyCrafstman Posted July 13, 2019 Author Share Posted July 13, 2019 Hey all Just a little heads up. If you are doing your big Cat as a Marine land based plane don't forget to use the correct rear wheel/tire. It's the one on sprue 'L' parts L31 the pneumatic one, NOT parts L32, which are the hard rubber ones used on Navy carrier based Hellcats. Also this came in the mail today from Eduard. Engine detail set and inner and outer canopy masks. These also came from Gaspatch. Accurately done .50 Cal. Machine guns for the Hellcat. Ron G 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARU 5137 Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 Hello Ron... WOW! great start and a brilliant choice .. It's looking pretty impressive to ME... looking ahead to see more. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrankyCrafstman Posted July 19, 2019 Author Share Posted July 19, 2019 Just a small update. I received these in the mail a few days ago. They are 1/24 scale valve stems, they are actually for detailing 1/24 scale cars, but work on planes too. Shot of the Hellcat wheel and tire. Close up of the valve stem. I hope someone like Barracuda will make a set of tires for this kit because the ones that come in the kit aren't very impressive. Also the outer wheel cover is missing some detail. It's very noticeable if you look at the real thing you will see what I mean. Ron G 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harv Posted July 19, 2019 Share Posted July 19, 2019 ........harv 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trigger Posted July 19, 2019 Share Posted July 19, 2019 That looks awesome, Frank 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrankyCrafstman Posted July 19, 2019 Author Share Posted July 19, 2019 Thanks guys, I'm progressing slowly. Still working on the engine area. I have the engine halfs finally painted and detailed. Still have to do the ignition leads. I'm only putting spark plugs on the front side of the front bank and the rear side of the rear bank. The rest you really can't see that well because they are covered by the baffles. You can see photos on my post for how to do the P&W R-2800-10W #2. Ron G 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 7 hours ago, CrankyCrafstman said: Just a small update. I received these in the mail a few days ago. They are 1/24 scale valve stems, they are actually for detailing 1/24 scale cars, but work on planes too. Shot of the Hellcat wheel and tire. Close up of the valve stem. I hope someone like Barracuda will make a set of tires for this kit because the ones that come in the kit aren't very impressive. Also the outer wheel cover is missing some detail. It's very noticeable if you look at the real thing you will see what I mean. Ron G I purchased a set of resin wheels from Jerry Rutman. They're for a 1/24 Mustang, but they're the same size as those on the Hellcat and the hubs are separate pieces so the Airfix hubs will fit inside. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bomber_County Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 7 hours ago, Randy said: I purchased a set of resin wheels from Jerry Rutman. Randy, always good to see new faces. Looking forward to seeing your Hellcat. The good thing about here it’s THE friendliest and laid back modelling site on the inter web.......... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrankyCrafstman Posted July 20, 2019 Author Share Posted July 20, 2019 10 hours ago, Randy said: I purchased a set of resin wheels from Jerry Rutman. They're for a 1/24 Mustang, but they're the same size as those on the Hellcat and the hubs are separate pieces so the Airfix hubs will fit inside. Hey Randy Could you tell what diameter and width of those tires are please. Are they the same size as the kit ones? Ron G 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted July 20, 2019 Share Posted July 20, 2019 1 hour ago, CrankyCrafstman said: Hey Randy Could you tell what diameter and width of those tires are please. Are they the same size as the kit ones? Ron G Ron...................................... how strong are your glasses?????????????????I have to admit, the valve stems look really cool.....and it is the little details like that , that make ALL the difference 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrankyCrafstman Posted July 20, 2019 Author Share Posted July 20, 2019 30 minutes ago, Jeff said: Ron...................................... how strong are your glasses?????????????????I have to admit, the valve stems look really cool.....and it is the little details like that , that make ALL the difference Hey Jeff It's called 3:00 dioptor reading glasses and the strongest opti-visor...lol and it's getting to the point that that ain't strong enough. Ron G 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Clunkmeister Posted July 20, 2019 Administrators Share Posted July 20, 2019 Ron, those valve stems look spectacular on the wheels! Superb! But honestly, at first when you posted the pic of the package, I thought you took a picture of and were waxing poetic on an empty package. I momentarily contemplated calling EMS to check on you... then I scrolled down. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrankyCrafstman Posted July 20, 2019 Author Share Posted July 20, 2019 Hey Ernie Wait till you see the spark plug detailing on the engine. I'm working up the courage to start on them next. Ron G 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrankyCrafstman Posted July 21, 2019 Author Share Posted July 21, 2019 Hey all Just sent an email to Aerocraft Models requesting that he make a set of landing gear for the Hellcat. The ones in the kit are pretty flimsy. Nige has a video on YouTube on how to strengthen them but it takes alot of hand drilling and some wont be comfortable doing that. Ron G 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmayhew Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 great progress, thank you for sharing with us one question on the guns though: surely metal barrels from someone like Master will look much more convincing? the Gaspatch breaches I am sure will be an improvement on the kit parts, but I just don't think moulding technology renders barrels with perforations on the cooling jackets very well this is (imho) only magnified in 1/24... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrankyCrafstman Posted July 23, 2019 Author Share Posted July 23, 2019 Hey nmayhew I do have Master Models barrels for it. They are for a 1/24 scale P-47. Ron G 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artro219 Posted July 28, 2019 Share Posted July 28, 2019 On 7/19/2019 at 9:09 PM, CrankyCrafstman said: Just a small update. I received these in the mail a few days ago. They are 1/24 scale valve stems, they are actually for detailing 1/24 scale cars, but work on planes too. Shot of the Hellcat wheel and tire. Close up of the valve stem. I hope someone like Barracuda will make a set of tires for this kit because the ones that come in the kit aren't very impressive. Also the outer wheel cover is missing some detail. It's very noticeable if you look at the real thing you will see what I mean. Ron G Awesome 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now