Trumpeter 1/32 F6F-5 Hellcat
Here are the highlights and the downfalls of Trumpeter's Hellcat. The model captures well the stalky outlines of this great fighter. Wing fold part design is superb. Easy to install and does not strain plastic hinges. A tow tractor kit is supplied. The downfalls are as follows; the kit has non realistic surface texture typical of may Trumpeter models. The kit is detailed, but the details are not always accurate. For example, the front section has paddle blades propeller, intakes that are blocked, a Hamilton Standard logo decal that is too large and missing the decal of propeller blade parameters. I had to use Eduard's drawings to complete the mouth and teeth nose art of a CVL 23 USS Princeton aircraft. Some decals are supplied, but no indication of their placement is provided. Although the list is very long, particularly for the engine and cockpit areas, I liked the kit because it is a excellent representation of the Hellcat.
I'm sorry, Rafi, but the Trumpeter kit (and the downsized Hobby Boss 1/48 kit) is the WORST representation of a Hellcat of any model in existence. In addition to the failures you mention above, the main - unfixably wrong (I tried) - failure is the too-wide fuselage around the cockpit, leading to a complete mis-shape, too-wide cockpit, inaccurate canopy etc. Adding to the list you discovered makes this kit awful even when a superb modeler like yourself applies all the talent you have to building it.
I may have been flattering the kit too much because of the dark blue that emphasizes the angry nose art and conceals the surface texture. Folded wings conceal the cockpit details and thick fuselage. In the end, I still like the kit and loved the low kit price 😉
Low price can matter, and it is too bad that the "right" 1/32 Hellcat (Hasegawa's) is soo old.
Sure LOOKS like a Hellcat. 😉 He's right about the folding wings.
Call it an F6F-5.5.
No matter how you call it Bill, it looks more convincing than my Eduard or Hasegawa Hellcats...
Great work, Rafi. Your modelling talent is on certainly display here. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Marvin.
The Hellcat turned out very nice, Rafi.
Thank you Dan.
Looks good to me! Nicely done.
Thank you Greg.
You really got the best out of this kit, Rafi @blackmopane
Likely not an easy task to get that tooth this nicely visible in the air inlet.
Thank you John.
Excellent job as always, Rafi!
Thank you Spiros!
Impressive build, both the Hellcat and the tractor. The first time I saw a Hellcat was at an airshow in 1969. I did not know what I was looking at but the size of the fuselage amazed me.
Thank you Russel!
It is an awesome fighter and I guess, a large sized model demonstrates the effect.
Nicely done Hellcat , Rafi.