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Bernd Ebeling
4 articles

F6F Hellcat Diorama (1/48)"Anatomy of a cat"

March 17, 2018 · in Aviation · · 33 · 3.2K

Hello everybody,

this is my first submission to iModeler, and I hope you like it.
This tiny virtual museum features Jasmine's awesome "skeleton" . I've added an Eduard R-2800 engine - which is quite challenging - and other goodies.
The carrier base is from Skunk model works, the Tiny Tim rocket as well as the scooter are from PlusModel, the "visitor" from Reedoak.

I usually prefer building Jets over Props, but that Hellcat was a "must have" ...

The diorama will be displayed in the competition of the forthcoming Euro Model Expo in Lingen (Germany), so please wish me luck 🙂

Bernd

Reader reactions:
13  Awesome 1 

12 additional images. Click to enlarge.


33 responses

  1. How cool is this cat! Amazing detail... Did you solder the PE or used cyano glue? Good luck in Linden!

  2. Thank you very much! I exclusively used cyano glue (MX Bon 105), which worked very well, since the PE parts are made of steel, not of brass.

  3. Fantastic modelling, welcome to iModeler, Bernd. Judging by the look of this you won't need too much luck in the competition.

  4. Hahaha, thanks a lot, George!
    BTW: It was my first model using PE parts 😉

  5. Very nicely done, Bernd. There a real sense of interest in this for the viewer; it's unusual, beautifully made, and the composition (museum setting) gives it a feeling of being 'out of time' that (literally) adds another dimension to the diorama.

    I'm of the same mind as George - you don't need too much luck.

  6. David, thank you for your kind words!

  7. Well there are no Skeletons in the closet with this build just a bare bones project.
    To the point and very direct in showing what it takes to make a Hellcat.
    Bernard how long did it take you to make this project and how did you keep all of ribs true with the main spars? Grumman had the nick name of the iron works it looks like we can nick name this build Bernd's Steel works.

    Two thumbs up on this one. Looking forward to seeing more of your work and good luck at the show.

  8. Hmmm, to be honest keeping the ribs true with the main spars was quite simple, because the part's fit is awesome! If you make mistakes when building the kit, don't blame Jasmine, because their engineering is close to Tamiya. However, the instructions are a nightmare...
    Much more challenging than the main build was the integration of other goodies like the Eduard engine and the Aires gun bays etc.

    All in all it took me ca. one year (I think in total approximately 500 hrs).

    "Bernd's Steel Works"! Great proposal! 🙂

  9. Great detailing, and a real triumph of modelling.

  10. Well done Bernd, looks really great and good luck at the Model Expo. And welcome to iModeler.

  11. It seems all of my accolades, phrases & praises have already been mentioned by all of the above. I can only echo the sentiments of my fellow modelers (including the iModeler 'welcome')...stellar craftsmanship, sir. A show winner for sure! 🙂

  12. Gentlemen, I'm honestly impressed by your compliments! Once again thank you very much!

    For those of you who are interested seeing more of my work, you may take a look at my Spit diorama also:

    http://barracudacals.com/gallery/index.php/Tamiya-1-32-Spitfire-Mk-VIII---by-Bernd-Ebeling---Hagenburg-Germany

  13. stunning kit...just beautiful. The whole project is just stunning. Love to try a model like that.

  14. Well now that is a Grand Slam first time up, incredible!

  15. Words fail me.

    Wow. Talk about having patience. Nice job.

    -d-

  16. bernd,
    What can I say that has not already been said. My hat is off to you. this is absolutely stung. I commend you on your skill and your commitment to detail. Not only is the Hellcat a superb example of your skills but just looking at the diorama itself, the metal fencing, the scooter and the layout itself is a work of genius. Again, Hats off...

  17. Beautifully done, intricate work. Very eye-catching and fascinating to hold the viewer's interest.

  18. There is an element of magic in the innovation and vision here Bernd - and then you go and deliver the technical detail too! As has been said - no luck needed.

  19. Outstanding! A great job, Bernd.

  20. You sir, are in serious need of being fitted for a straitjacket! 🙂

    Wow. Amazing work. I'd never even think of attempting it.

  21. Bernd, I’ve tried to find a compliment for your Hellcat that hasn’t been used, so I just restate that it is a fabulously outstandingly piece of work, far beyond the skills of ordinary mortals.

  22. WOW, so cool. Good luck with the competition, its a sure winner in my book.

  23. Stunning! Welcome to iModeler, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work...

  24. Bernd, that is very nice. With a build like that, and your obvious skills, you certainly won't need luck at the show. Best of luck anyway. 🙂

  25. Great work Bernd - not sure how I missed this first time around!
    I love the skeleton in the museum idea!

  26. So there I was thinking about how to make the Jasmine Hobby skeletal Hellcat into a detailed insight into the Hellcat. I thought about a better engine, wheels etc. Then, whilst searching through Google images, I found your work.

    And that was it, you’d done what I had been thinking about, and to an absolutely astonishing level it must be said. Reading their comments back when you put in on here, I can only agree and I can see why you were successful in the competition too.

    I’d still like to build my own version, and I’m intrigued as too what else you added, bar the Eduard engine and Aires gun bay you mention in one of your reply’s. Would you kindly help another modeller attempt a similar build and offer a list of what else you added? You’ve done such a seamlessness job I simply can’t recognise anything other than what you’ve already mentioned.

  27. Hello Stephen, thank you so much for your compliments! These sort of things always inspires me to build better models. Well, the fence is from Reedoak (be careful - it is very fragile), the ammunition belt is an old KMC part, cast in brass. The ammo box is from Hauler, but the greatest mystery are the fuel trailers: They are of amazing quality, but I do not remember the brand. It seems to me they were a kind of "one-hit-wonder" and would recommend that you get in touch with Yury Bogatchik on Facebook in case you are interested. As far as I remember, the red carpet is from ETA, but I am not 100% sure. I say it again: I can thoroughly recommend the Jasmine Hellcat, since the fit is awesome. Just take your time. I am currently building an F-16C Block 25 in 1/48 with the Black Dog detail set and that is far more challenging! Anyway, please let me know in case of any further questions.

  28. Thank you Bernd, and yes the fuel trailers are just impossible to find anywhere, and they are lovely. As such, thank you for the Facebook recommend.

    I’m very excited to build it and so pleased to hear the parts are a great fit, that must have been so satisfying. Can you imagine if every peace needed tweaking first!

    Seeing your completed build has really inspired me and I’d be pleased if my build ended up half as good as yours. I’m just excited to enjoy the process. As others have said, the scene is just great. Like a great photograph, It connects with your imagination, and that’s not something you can say of most dioramas. It believe it’s because you could actually see yourself in the scene, maybe as the photographer behind the railings or perhaps a museum visitor (obviously not shown). And that’s the beauty, it transcends from a static scene into a living story.

    If you don’t mind me asking, what did you add to the Jasmine Hellcat itself? You mention the engine and Aires gun bay, but is there anything else? Did you use any other Photoetch add ones? Resin wheels? Any parts from another kit perhaps?

    And thank you again, it’s very kind of you to take the time to respond and pass on your tips, both are already the start to a great memory, a memory that I know will come to mind every time I view my completed Hellcat.

  29. Hello Stephen, I used Eduard "Color" photo etch parts for the cockpit dashboard and "Brassin" wheels. Some of the resin parts which are in the Jasmine box are simply scrap, and therefore I had to use the corresponding parts of an Eduard Hellcat "Weekend" edition, e.g. the front cowling part and the propeller. The biggest challenge of this build was the correct alignment of the Eduard engine, because if you make a tiny mistake, the prop gets an oblique axle, and that looks crappy! I solved this by inserting small brass wire endings in the engine bearers and glued them to the firewall step by step.

    I hope that this helps - if not or in case you need detail shots (because the instructions are really challenging!), just drop me a line.

  30. Hello again Bernd,

    Thank you so much, that’s a great help. And I guessed that’s what you’d used, so I’m pleased I nearly got some of it right at least. And I agree, the standard parts for the wheels etc are crappy. I thought you’d either spent hours on them, or taken them from another kit.

    I noticed your comment about the instructions earlier, so I may well be asking for help.

    Again, you’ve been an enormous help and a real inspiration. Thank you.

    PS: if it’s not a complete mess, I’ll show you my build. My life / work balance is a tilting a little too much to the wrong side at the moment, so it may be a while!

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