Eduard Hellcat Weekend Edition 1/48

[Second Air Force]

A few months ago I picked up a Weekend Edition F6F-3 kit so I could do a "fun-build". This is a very nice looking product from Eduard, with excellent surface detail. One of the reasons I got this was to use the windscreen assembly on the SAAB project. Later on, an Eduard PE set (for the HobbyBoss kit, actually) was on sale so I am incorporating that set into the build. Here are a few photos of the cockpit and sidewalls.

Eduard Hellcat Weekend Edition 1/48

Eduard Hellcat Weekend Edition 1/48

Eduard Hellcat Weekend Edition 1/48

Eduard Hellcat Weekend Edition 1/48

And one shot of the joined fuselage halves after assembly. You'll note that I've filled the small windows behind the cockpit peculiar to the early Hellcats. I've decided to build a variant of the -5 instead so I simply plugged the windows and removed the small fairing on the lower cowling sections.

Eduard Hellcat Weekend Edition 1/48

[No.1]

Hellcat from Eduard is always pleasure to build

[Second Air Force]

This is a great, relaxing kit to assemble. The cockpit PE took time and patience but the rest is fitting wonderfully. Very little filler needed here!

Eduard Hellcat Weekend Edition 1/48

[Sall]

Very good job my friend!

[Second Air Force]

Srecko mentioned that the Eduard Hellcat is a pleasure to build, and he is quite correct. The fit of the wings and tailplanes is good enough that I've decided to paint the subassemblies separately and join everything together after painting:

Eduard Hellcat Weekend Edition 1/48

[No.1]

And another one is one the way

[Sall]

Excellent job!!

[Second Air Force]

Thanks, mates!

I must mention that the top surfaces are painted with my thirty-year-old Humbrol enamels. Again, these worked great and like I only opened the tins for the first time yesterday! The Sky on the belly is "modern" Model Master, however.

[Second Air Force]

This build doesn't have anything to do with the Hellcat, except that it was used to experiment on the camouflage painting. It's an Accurate Miniatures Mustang Ia but I don't have any other photos of it. This has been nearly ready for paint for many years and I found it by accident in the box it was hiding in. So, I pulled it out and used it as a paint-practice machine.

Eduard Hellcat Weekend Edition 1/48

[No.1]

Mustang Ia is great re you going to remove paint now?

[Sall]

... or will this be your model for practice?

[Second Air Force]

I think I'll complete the Mustang.

[draken35]

[Second Air Force]

Before we went for a family visit this past weekend I was able to start applying decals to the Hellcat. Once this is finished the wings can be attached and final varnish applied:

Eduard Hellcat Weekend Edition 1/48

[No.1]

Crisp work mate