**** DONE: GB-48 1/48 Hellcat MkI - Carrier & Maritime Patrol A/C of WWII

[rochie]

Username : rochie
First name : Karl
Category : intermediate
Scale : 1/48
Manufacturer / Model : Eduard/Hellcat MkI
Extras : masks, photo etch all supplied by Eduard

 

[rochie]

using the MkI kit from the 1/48 Hellcat dual combo box ( i built the MkII for a group build way back when) i'll do this one as another Royal Navy Hellcat that took part in the Tirpitz raids

During Operation 'Hoops', Lt. Blythe Ritchie of 800 Sqd, gained a kill over an Fw 190 A from JG 5. It was his fifth kill, his first in the cockpit
of a Hellcat, and consequently, one of the few kills by the Hellcat over the Luftwaffe. Six days later, during Operation 'Potluck A', Ritchie gained another aerial victory flying
JV132. He attacked a formation of He 115 floatplanes, and got an individual kill, and one more shared with Lt.Cdr. Stan Ohrr.

the kit

https://www.eduard.com/Eduard/Plast.../1-48/HELLCAT-Mk-I-Mk-II-DUAL-COMBO-1-48.html

 

[Crimea_River]

Good one Karl. This kit goes together pretty nicely.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wayne Little]

A great choice Karl.

 

[fubar57]

Cool. I do like FAA colour. I might do one if I can get my Avenger done in double quick time

 

[T Bolt]

Great choice Karl

 

[rochie]

Ok bit of work done.

Ive painted the cockpit parts and glued the armour plate, seat and control column in place, the sidewalls and instrument panel are just dry fit for now.
You will also notice i need to paint the gunsight, headrest and column grip.

Instrument panel with photo etch attached, ive corrected the left hand section.

Cockpit with photo etch on side walls

Cockpit assembled for now but not glued

 

[Airframes]

Looking good Karl.
Is the control stick the right way around ?

 

[rochie]

Looking good Karl.
Is the control stick the right way around ?

Bugger !

 

[fubar57]

Innards look good except for the bugger

 

[rochie]

Thanks Dogsbody/Geo.
Luckily wont see much when closed up

deciding if i have the patience to tackle the etch seatbelts !

 

[Wurger]

 

[Airframes]

You could wiggle the stick loose and turn it around, and yes, do the seat belts, especially if they're pre-printed. Just a couple of dabs of CA and bend them into position.

 

[Crimea_River]

The stick is for when they have to back the plane into a parking spot. Looks great otherwise. To make sure you .CA sticks to the PE belts scratch the backs a bit firs with a file or pin.

 

[le_steph40]

Nice start Karl (except for the....)

 

[T Bolt]

Looking good Karl

The stick is for when they have to back the plane into a parking spot.

That's just silly Andy, they don't back planes into parking spots. The stick is that way so the pilot can fly backwards. Confuses the enemy plane trying to shoot him down.

 

[rochie]

Well after almost an hour of soul destroying, frustrating work with these etch seatbelts, they are on.
I didnt even use all the pieces, some were just too tiny !

Never again........

Cockpit tub finished

 

[fubar57]

Good stuff

 

[Wurger]