1/32 Hasegawa F6F-3 Hellcat |
Gallery Article by Glenn Cook
on Sept 29 2003
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This is my 1/3 2
Hasegawa F6F-3 Hellcat (VF-17, USS Hornet). The kit has some
challenges, but overall is certainly a good representation of the Hellcat. I
built this to go with my upcoming Tamiya 1/32 Zero.
The challenges:
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Windscreen does
not fit great
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Cockpit could
use a more accurate aftermarket. I chose to go with OTB, due to time and
money.
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The engine is a
good start but needs work on the exhausts, real tough due to the tangle.
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There are some
bad mismatches on some panel lines, along the wings and the forward cowl is
missing the top seam altogether, but not tough to scribe in.
The instructions
give some questionable guidance as to the differences between the -3 and the -5.
Get good reference for your plane. I found "The Great Book of WWII
Airplanes" to be a great source as usual.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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My upgrades:
As I do on all my builds,
I cut clear sprue for the navigation lights, fit to the wingtips, drill a small
hole on the inside surface, fill with clear green or red, and polish. They look
great.
Seat Harness from masking tape and wire/brass.
The antenna wire is stretched clear sprue. The attachment points are very fine
silver wire wound around another fine wire, creating a very small tight spring,
then all is secured with CA.
What I learned:
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That Blue just
looks TOO blue. Doesn't look that blue in Real Life.
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I think the
border between the Blue and Intermediate Blue could be a lot softer too.
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I really need to
lay down a coat of Future to prep for decals. As good as the Hasegawa decals
are, they still silver on the flat enamels.
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I still need to
airbrush in the exhaust line. This was very distinctive on the Hellcats.
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Patience and
Focus are key to any good result, whether Tamiya or Academy.
Hope you like it.
Glenn Cook
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