1/32 Hasegawa F6F-3 Hellcat

Gallery Article by Glenn Cook on Sept 29 2003

 

This is my 1/32  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:

  • Windscreen does not fit great 

  • Cockpit could use a more accurate aftermarket. I chose to go with OTB, due to time and money.

  • The engine is a good start but needs work on the exhausts, real tough due to the tangle.

  • 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

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:

  • That Blue just looks TOO blue. Doesn't look that blue in Real Life. 

  • I think the border between the Blue and Intermediate Blue could be a lot softer too.

  • 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.

  • I still need to airbrush in the exhaust line. This was very distinctive on the Hellcats.

  • Patience and Focus are key to any good result, whether Tamiya or Academy.

Hope you like it.

Glenn Cook

      

Photos and text © by Glenn Cook