Arii/Otaki 1/48 F6F-3 Hellcat
This is the first model I've built in seven years! I have been so busy pursuing my career that model building was put on hold for a long time. Aries cockpit, True Details wheels, a bit of scratch building here and there, and a combination of old Microscale and Superscale decals were used. I hope you guys enjoy. It feels good to be back!
-kj
21 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Stellan Schroeder Englund said on December 17, 2015
Nice Hellcat, always a favourite! Welcome back to the modelling hobby. Hope it can be a relief for you when work get too much.
Craig Abrahamson said on December 17, 2015
Doesn't appear your hiatus had any adverse effect(s). Good work and welcome to iModeler - I think you'll like it.
Terry Schuler said on December 17, 2015
Looks like you didn't lose any model skills, Nice work, and welcome back.
Bill Koppos said on December 17, 2015
And did you have fun? That's a beautiful cat, some job on the old Otaki. The Hellcat was one of their better ones. Great paint job.
Tom Cleaver said on December 17, 2015
Very nice work. This demonstrates my long-held contention that getting the Otaki kit for $5 from a dealer, and spending maybe $25 on the TD cockpit, Squadron canopy and a set of aftermarklet decals will result in a model completely competitive with any of the modern kits.
There is one thing, however, which is a pretty common mistake by modelers who aren't fully conversant with naval aircraft. That is that no airplane on board a carrier would have weathering like that. That's because the salt corrosion in the sea spray and the atmosphere would turn an airplane with dings like that into aluminum powder in a week. I've talked to several WW2 ground crew and they all said that if an airplane got dinged during the day, it would get a coat of paint over that ding overnight. Aboard a carrier, they didn't get that dinged, but it's just like looking at contemporary USN aircraft in TPS and you see all the different shades of touch-up - it's for the same reason.
The above information provided for future efforts.
Brian Ballew said on December 17, 2015
I remember making the kit when first released, I was amazed by the surface finish
Bernard E. Hackett, Jr. said on December 17, 2015
Welcome back, Kevin!
Good looking Hellcat, the basic kit is a favorite of mine from way back.
Plus, I like sharkmouths.
P.k said on December 18, 2015
Old kit
but look nice..
Jim Sullivan said on December 18, 2015
Hello Kevin...Good job of modeling that old Otaki F6F-3 Hellcat. As you've shown, with a little TLC, it can be built to look quite nice. The colorful markings you used certainly enhanced the finished model. I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.
Greg Kittinger said on December 18, 2015
I think you introduced yourself nicely with that Hellcat! Excellent work. Although I do agree with Tom that the weathering was a bit overdone for a ship-based subject, your technique is just outstanding. I especially love how you varied the exhaust stains as it flows over the panel lines and such. Visually stunning! I'll transfer some of what I see you've done on some of my work!
Gábor Szabó said on December 18, 2015
Great work here! I have an Otaki F-6 in my stash and this build gives me inspiration to dig it out 🙂 Welcome on board!
Kevin Hayes said on December 18, 2015
Thanks for all the comments and feedback! I can tell this is a good group here! Im actually having trouble signing in at the moment, hopefully it is resolved quickly. Looking forward to contributing more on imodeler! Happy Holidays! -KJ
Michelle Edwards said on December 19, 2015
Just love that weathering.