Completed Eduard 1/48 F6F-3 Hellcat

[AZKevin]

Hello Everyone,

 

Below are a few pictures of my F6F-3 Hellcat. The model is Eduard's 1/48 'Weekend' edition with some added photo etch in the cockpit. I used kit supplied and Superscale decals. Paints are a combination of Tamiya acrylics and Testors Model Master enamels.

 

I built the plane to represent the Hellcat flown by Lt. Arthur Van Haren. Lt. Van Haren is considered to be the highest scoring U.S. Navy Ace from Arizona. He was born in Superior AZ (1920) and passed away in Dewey AZ (1992). During his service in the Pacific he scored 9 confirmed solo kills with 3 unconfirmed. 3 of his kills came on one flight during the Battle of the Philippine Sea (The Great Mariana's Turkey Shoot).

 

Yes I know the national insignia is not right . I messed up the first set of decals by placing two of the 'Stars & Bars' upside down!! Guess that's what I get for building mostly Japanese stuff (there is no up or down to a Hinomaru) . Anyway, I didn't have time to order another set with the proper 'Stars & Bars' so I had to use those with the red surround (not right for June 1944).

 

I built the model for a display by the Prescott AZ IPMS Ernest A. Love Chapter's display at the Prescott city library commemorating AZ's centennial celebration (2012).

 

When the display is over I might consider removing the improper decals and applying the correct ones (right side up this time!). Of course I could just build another, hmmmm....so many models - so little time.

 

Well despite my mess up - I hope you like it.

 

 

 

In the photo above you can see a trace of the upside down Stars & Bars decal underneath the one with the red surround.

 

 

 

 

There are a few more pictures at:

http://s1134.photobu...6F-3%20Hellcat/

 

Taking a little vacation from the University until 1/16/2012, but then I'll be back with the A Models 1/72 Ki-78 'Ken' and Nichimo's 1/48 B5N2 Kate.

 

Best wishes to all for a Happy New Year.

 

Kevin

[Dick Montgomery]

Kevin,

I like the harnesses and other features visible in the cockpit. Nicely done!

[ghodges]

Lovely Hellcat! I wouldn't have had any idea the stars were wrong if you hadn't mentioned it. Way to persevere!

 

GIL

[AZKevin]

A Brief update about the model. I will be donating the model to the family of Lt. Arthur Van Haren. Lt. Van Haren is to inducted into the Pima Air & Space Museum's Hall of Fame. The model will be placed in a display case at the museum along with other memorabilia donated by the family. Eric Halvorsen is the driving force behind getting his grandfather inducted and he and the rest of the family kindly suppiled me with the few existing pictures of Van Haren's Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat.

Edited January 25, 2012 by AZKevin