To the paint shop we go. 1st a pre shading session using Tamiya Semi Gloss black over the panel lines, top, bottom and sides.

Tamiya Gloss White for the undersurfaces, drop tank, gear bays, landing gear and wheels.

The undersurfaces are painted Gloss White. 1st the center portion of the belly is painted white then a lower filler panel is cemented in place and then the drop tank.

Finally the white undersurfaces are painted over and ready for the tutone Blue Scheme.

Gunze Mr Color #72 Intermediate Blue is the next color to be airbrushed.

A narrow section from nose to tail is applied on each side of the Hellcat. The demarcation line to the white is a soft edge and is applied free hand using my Paasche H airbrush #1 tip. The vertical tail also is painted as well.

Finally Gunze Non Specular Sea Blue is airbrushed over the the top surfaces, wings and horizontal tail. Again a soft demarcation line as it blends into the Intermediate Blue.

Future is airbrushed for the gloss coat and set aside for a week.

Next up decal time.

more to follow!

Looks awesome, my friend @uscusn!
Looking forward to the decals!

Before proceeding with the decal session, I went ahead and installed the tail wheel.

As usual, I started with the undersurface star and bars under the RH lower wing. These are Techmod decals.

The 1st Hellcat built back in the mid 90's I had used Aeromaster decals which worked well, the Techmods do as well, they also supply stenciling which were not as extensive back in the day. These went down will using Micro Set and Sol no need for Solvaset for a change.

Techmod 48-019, I used for an F6F-5, White 25, flown by Lt. Bruce Williams of VF-19, operating on the USS Lexington, Oct. 1944.

After the decal session, Future is applied on the undersurfaces to seal the decal. Then I remove the mask covering the landing lamp.

Next up, apply the flat coat over the top and final details to install

More to follow.

Awesome decal job, my friend @uscusn!

Fantastic result, my friend @uscusn!