Jump to content
Playing in the Sandbox Group Build Sept 1, 2024 - Jn 1, 2025

Airfix 1/24 Hellcat


Recommended Posts

Good evening,

I have started with my version of the Airfix Hellcat, i see there is a very detailed build underway on the forum about the P&W engine, amazing detailing!

I have already built up the engine, and I ran in to the same problems as Nigel described on his you tube channel. It has been an endless sanding and fitting struggle to make everything fit as it should. I have used the colors on the engine as advised in the manual, except the engine color, this should be a blue grey color, so I used that color, I hope I have got the color right. The fit of the parts wasn't without it's problems. It is so busy with parts on the rear of the engine, that is was a challenge to get the exhaust pipes in to the right position, but with some effort I managed to get them in.

After endless fitting and sanding I painted the parts before I installed them, gave the cilinder heads a wash so the detail of the cilinder heads was better visible. I have pretty much assembled everything out of the box. I want to build the Hellcat as an in flight model, so it will be with wheels up, and I decided to install the electric engine so the

propeller can spin.IMG_7025.jpeg.aabd326830a8a8eb14a2dc851155337e.jpeg

Here are some pictures of the engine build up,

IMG_7026.jpeg.7a062b3cfae6b38148303694bebe0bd2.jpeg

IMG_7027.jpeg.46dac7e03dafbeb2a1388291a7e65ae4.jpeg

IMG_7039.JPG.95c73c46cc23795283d3161740f73c43.JPG

IMG_7038.JPG.93e4765dfa8c9da8582133c56dda2cc2.JPG

I installed the front cowling to get an idea how it all wold look, I am going for the "Paper doll" version, so I painted the inside of the cowling red and white as a shark mouth,

IMG_7037.JPG.ff24955aaa201157fc002aaf89a7cea5.JPG

 

And with the entire  exhaust build up and rear end of the engine, still need to do some touch up work here and there,

IMG_7047.JPG.e178d8155df7e2e4e9aaa7540ecb6c0e.JPG

IMG_7048.JPG.e576ebc3c7f90f78a0d448196727bdab.JPG

IMG_7049.JPG.921da43a7a22c9b009cc9bb2a5a1520d.JPG

IMG_7051.JPG.c6976798071dbb839d26c7f9f0fcc537.JPG

IMG_7052.JPG.6c24f6152500c6d8ffb8b038fa6c01e2.JPG

And with the prop test fitted,

So far for my build, now working on the cockpit  and fuselage,

Greetz,

Frank

 

  • Like 10
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great job on the engine Trigger. Just a few pointers...the pipes or tubes that you have painted blue with silver tops on the rear should be semi-gloss black like the front ones, these are the push rod tubes. The ring that you have painted silver on the rear of the engine should be the same color as the rest of the engine crankcase/supercharger a Grumman engine gray. The little copper colored pipes on the top of the cylinders should be painted silver like the rest of the cylinders. Not trying to be critical, just some observations to help improve your modeling skills. Everything else likes spot on.

Ron G 

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the comment Ron, my guideline was the Airfix manual that says otherwise, but they got the color of the crankcase wrong too, so I was just in time to correct that, it's now no longer possible to correct this one. Saw your build of the P&W engine, that's looking great, love the braided hoses, looks like the real thing! Will be watching your progress,

Greetz,

Frank

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Assembled the wings and the fuselage and cockpit. Gave the fuselage and wings a coat of Tamiya grey primer because I think that the surface texture of the model is a bit "rough" , I am afraid that when I put the color on if left untreated, the surface texture wouldn't be smooth enough. Carefully sanded the primer as not to ruin the detailing of the fuselage and wings. Used 6000 grid sanding paper and after that a rub down with a fine micro mesh cloth, the model now feels much smoother. Masked everything for painting.

IMG_7054.JPG.7897750aab3d45181ed529a45c6ec4ef.JPG

IMG_7055.JPG.ced588fdcd9a247e5b4589c90b825158.JPG

IMG_7041.JPG.ef7dba7b9909bdaa17728f466e6bc63d.JPG

IMG_7042.JPG.9d9930011f2591da79cd2294b78f20c3.JPG

Wings assembled....

IMG_7043.JPG.e6e06c862430f8a1793bf3d2861b4fa1.JPG

IMG_7045.JPG.e6126f75ea512a81c23dbe49cb463307.JPG

IMG_7059.JPG.698541d6e5fa603264b45d5341af73c7.JPG

Ready for primer......

IMG_7063.JPG.ae78fa8b77d6a70012ade7addbe8f60f.JPG

IMG_7064.JPG.b6d19a67d41256e9cba3a478a0d6fdee.JPG

IMG_7066.JPG.f5abbcd4ba8b633e03d1084bf7853ebe.JPG

IMG_7067.JPG.7c98140d4b2683d85e21ce457451648a.JPG

IMG_7068.JPG.3358375f3409544b392c7e5e9f9df34c.JPG

And then the color,..............

IMG_7082.JPG.9ed64796e8c483ab3bf54bbd8c61cdc2.JPG

IMG_7084.JPG.17076538facc990e82e89452bb8a2096.JPG

IMG_7085.JPG.aa71416bcf3bf684ef6807efcd5930b6.JPG

IMG_7099.JPG.dd19d3122bcc7f25a3201fb4e65998a2.JPG

IMG_7087.JPG.a2db8676334d6e9cee7e36561e75d202.JPG

IMG_7096.JPG.5f9ab7d403b03c74af6c34b22f975eaf.JPG


I first tried mr color 71 gloss, but I couldn't get the result I wanted, so I switched to Tamiya XF17 Matt finish and gave it a gloss clear coat. That came out better. Needles to say is that everything you have done wrong now pops up, I've got a few scratch marks from sanding that I didn't see on the starboard fuselage that are now staring right in my face, aargh. I hope that when I spray the markings on some of them will be less visible, also need to tone down the gloss coat here and there when I start weathering the plane.

IMG_7106.JPG.33daf1a750d4e1791e0484e4eb6b55a8.JPG

IMG_7107.JPG.5c9f9589405e255118dbfff1f9db2e14.JPG

IMG_7108.JPG.fd9971ccbe69e9481c115b336db19242.JPG

Couldn't resist test fitting the engine...............what a beast!

that's all for now,

Frank

 

IMG_7044.JPG

IMG_7062.JPG

IMG_7065.JPG

IMG_7083.JPG

IMG_7089.JPG

IMG_7102.JPG

  • Like 8
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, got some work done, made masks myself with the decal sheet as a template, and then got some paint on, the bar next to the American  star on the starboard side didn't go very well, the paint just wouldn't stick, probably made a mistake or didn't degrease it good enough before painting, well I will let it dry for the moment and correct it tomorrow. Here are some pics,

IMG_7111.JPG.315f61adb6344b7f732cc846146ec7a3.JPG

IMG_7112.JPG.afa5ba5bd8dd8b27d05f498f88e0736b.JPG

IMG_7113.JPG.f97581a01c9ff722fb4630149a18e38a.JPG

IMG_7114.JPG.040699bda63da348b8b7472d5da4775a.JPG

IMG_7115.JPG.f577d4b004d1b4f9e3f287457a910d17.JPG

IMG_7116.JPG.e64fafb4f9dcc32a5cde8bd4c044572d.JPG

IMG_7125.JPG.882a0170ecfaec5e57c111d81237b667.JPG

IMG_7127.JPG.39f97a1b7a6fc4d09539653aaf6f1e77.JPG

and the f**ck up with the mask........, will be correcting this tomorrow,

IMG_7126.JPG

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, I have corrected the insignia on the left side of the plane, resprayed it, and now it came out fine, have sprayed the other insignia as well on the sides and the top half of the Hellcat, need to to do the bottom of the aircraft. I couldn't resist tot start with the decals, cost me Half a day to get them on only on the top and sides of the aircraft, need to do the bottom half still. Sprayed the engine covers in Gloss Sea Blue, those are drying now, so I act start fitting them tomorrow and put on the decals.

So here's where i'am at......

IMG_7128.JPG.6aa83e996e050e2f6f0482c3f5433025.JPG

IMG_7129.JPG.3381d566f68364c050c09b56aa4b9310.JPG

IMG_7130.JPG.a218025e4eb5c0cccc836fea4f414ceb.JPG

Decals on...........

IMG_7131.JPG.fda86a5f7015b95bd2bcdab24d1e2755.JPG

IMG_7132.JPG.5b41c2776138bb9e1b1929287e244d22.JPG

IMG_7136.JPG.0c6350095ed4fa097fb3c110a88b16f3.JPG

Painted the engine covers and the centerline fuel tank................

IMG_7134.JPG.ec202195dd71a33c8fcd0e062118fc5c.JPG

IMG_7135.JPG.d197b29cd5d6244c1d4a0f8edab6c5cd.JPG

So this is all for today, see you all next time, and thanks for all the thumbs up, keeps the motivation going,

Frank

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...