Nocturnal Predator...1/48 Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat, VMF(N)-533 "Black Mac's Killers", USMC

20/2023

Hellcat double completed, after the F6F-3 now a -5N.
Eduard Weekend Edition released in 2016. Sadly the fuselage code F(N)4 is oversized, also the fuselage number 21 and the cowl number 88 of the second included scheme are. Funny thing is I´ve seen built up models of "21" using this kit edition with correct sized numbers. Seems there are correct kit tranches and faulty ones.
Painted with MRP237 Sea Blue, EZ Line used for antenna wires. Wanted to use leftover PE drop tank straps from the -3 kit. Parts were too soft and didn´t work out. Also the positions of the pre-drilled holes for the straps in the belly were wrong. In the end my dad used plastic stripes for the straps.

Build thread here
https://imodeler.com/groups/jim-sullivan-memorial-group-build/forum/topic/nocturnal-predator-1-48-grumman-f6f-5n-hellcat-vfn-90-usn/

Model shows the aircraft of Cpt. Robert Baird, the one and only USMC night fighter ace in WW2 who also fought in the Korean War.

30 additional images. Click to enlarge.