F6F-3 Hellcat – 1/72 Minicraft/Academy
Calling it done. Lt. Alex Vraciu's F6F-3 Hellcat with VF-6 on USS Intrepid (CV-11) in June 1944. Minicraft/Academy 1/72 scale kit with aftermarket resin/photoetch cockpit by Aires and decals by PrintScale. Only at the last minute did I discover I couldn't make it open cockpit because the kit cockpit was too thick - wouldn't slide back.
Not a great kit - it's really a F6F-5 with poor detailing, a bad paint job, and an incredibly bad gloss coat before decaling - the weathering and decals cover up a lot. But the second picture is how far my last Hellcat got (Matchbox - when I realized how bad the kit was I gave up) so I am making progress.
Very nice Hellcat, Michael!
You got a lot out of the simplistic Academy kit!
To me it looks great, Michael @mcsmith
Would love to see some more pictures of your build.
I usually take a lot of in progress pictures, but didn't in this case - will next time!
To me, success is in the journey and a win is a win no matter how ugly the result. I've have built the Minicraft/Academy and have done the same. But, I keep the kit on the shelf as a reminder of better things to come. You learn from trial and error and if you push forward and are learning that is win.
Two thumbs up Michael.
Still a very nice kit and build Michael. Progress is evidenced by acquiring skill and to keep going forward.
The Hellcat looks nice!
🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
Nice build Michael.
Nicely done!
Well done Michael, that's a good looking Hellcat.
Add my well done, Michael (@mcsmith1964). I learn something new on every kit I build. I am old enough now that working in 1/72 is a challenge all by itself.