Hasagawa F6F-5P Hellcat

Holz44 · Jan 30, 2026

It's been awhile since my last post so I thought I'd give it a whirl.

The build is pretty straightforward, everything fitting nicely with not too much sanding and filler. I still need to do better on the fuselage spines. With the dark Navy Sea Blue color, everything is blended together and is hard to pick out details. I didn't want a lot of wear or distress on this one because it's going to a Friend whose Uncle flew the Photo-Recon Hellcat at the end of WW II. He wanted it looking fairly "clean", plus carrier based planes didn't get awfully scuffed up from rocks, debris, etc like land based planes. I added some solder wire to duplicate brake lines.

This is the interior detail. No PE, just usual colors then dry brushing on gauges, seat, etc and then detail colors on various knobs and levers. Still working on getting canopy masking better, but making progress. These shots are taken prior to wiping everything off and touching up paint, masking canopy (again! my bad!) and spraying clear coat to do decals. I'm also amazed at how the lights from my new LED paint booth make the Blue so much lighter than natural light! Once complete I'll do some shots in natural light.

I purposely did not join the fuselage and wing yet until I spray the exhaust. I had issues with getting a nice pattern/flow of the exhaust with the Skyraider and figured this method would work better. Since the color is dark blue and the parts fit is very tight, I don't see a problem with gaps. Wow! that blue is like Blue Angels blue in these shots!

Identification lens painted as well as then lens for the camera port on left fuselage. Working on antenna wire, starting to create the insulators. Figgity work. I'm using fishing tippet (?) line instead of EZ Wire for this one.

Anyway, that's an update and am getting close to final assembly and detail work. Nice kit. Next on deck is an Accurate Miniatures F-6C/P-51C done up as "Thunderbird" 1948 Air Racer alongside a belly tank "Lakester" model that some strange Addict Member twisted my arm into building! It might make a nice display.
More later....................

I might have duplicate photos posted.......if so, sorry. I'm still getting used to attaching things, etc.

user 22148 · Jan 31, 2026

That's very nice indeed - the cockpit looks great.

Pantherman · Jan 31, 2026

Holz44 said:
It's been awhile since my last post so I thought I'd give it a whirl.
View attachment 178181 View attachment 178182
The build is pretty straightforward, everything fitting nicely with not too much sanding and filler. I still need to do better on the fuselage spines. With the dark Navy Sea Blue color, everything is blended together and is hard to pick out details. I didn't want a lot of wear or distress on this one because it's going to a Friend whose Uncle flew the Photo-Recon Hellcat at the end of WW II. He wanted it looking fairly "clean", plus carrier based planes didn't get awfully scuffed up from rocks, debris, etc like land based planes. I added some solder wire to duplicate brake lines.
View attachment 178184 View attachment 178185
This is the interior detail. No PE, just usual colors then dry brushing on gauges, seat, etc and then detail colors on various knobs and levers. Still working on getting canopy masking better, but making progress. These shots are taken prior to wiping everything off and touching up paint, masking canopy (again! my bad!) and spraying clear coat to do decals. I'm also amazed at how the lights from my new LED paint booth make the Blue so much lighter than natural light! Once complete I'll do some shots in natural light.
View attachment 178187 View attachment 178188
I purposely did not join the fuselage and wing yet until I spray the exhaust. I had issues with getting a nice pattern/flow of the exhaust with the Skyraider and figured this method would work better. Since the color is dark blue and the parts fit is very tight, I don't see a problem with gaps. Wow! that blue is like Blue Angels blue in these shots!
View attachment 178189 View attachment 178190
Identification lens painted as well as then lens for the camera port on left fuselage. Working on antenna wire, starting to create the insulators. Figgity work. I'm using fishing tippet (?) line instead of EZ Wire for this one.

Anyway, that's an update and am getting close to final assembly and detail work. Nice kit. Next on deck is an Accurate Miniatures F-6C/P-51C done up as "Thunderbird" 1948 Air Racer alongside a belly tank "Lakester" model that some strange Addict Member twisted my arm into building! It might make a nice display.
More later....................

I might have duplicate photos posted.......if so, sorry. I'm still getting used to attaching things, etc.

Nice work. A friend gave me his 1/24 Hellcat as he made a bit of a mess with it.

I said I would have a go at tidying it up for him. I really must start a thread for that. Pantherman

Edbert · Jan 31, 2026

Pantherman said:
A friend gave me his 1/24 Hellcat

That will be a large kit, I have started on a 1/32 Hellcat and thought it was big.

Holz44 · Feb 10, 2026

Another short update and cautionary words about over spray.

Sometimes it amazes me how much taping off we do to get even a small area painted. Then we think we're "pretty good" at directional control of our airbrush to paint the desired area. If only I'd done a little better and added just two more pieces of tape!

You can see the minor over spray along the fuselage on both sides. It didn't want to wipe off with any mild solvents without damaging the overall finish already laid down so I just taped off the rudder and laid down a light coat of blue over the over spray. Lessons learned.

VegasAWACER13 · Feb 10, 2026

Airbrushing is definitely a fine art.

blakeh1 · Feb 10, 2026

Love how those landing gear turned out. pretty convincing rubber look for the tires

also like the sheen of the blue paint. Looks slightly metallic

Holz44 · Feb 25, 2026

My pace is sooooooo slow. But, I balance Life pretty well and still enjoy this hobby and you guys.
I just finished spraying clear coat and will begin final assembly soon. I didn't assemble the major parts this time because I wanted to glue some assemblies from the inside of the fuselage to minimize the chance of glue outside. Just trying new tricks. This is a good kit, good fit and nice plastic to "work". We'll see how it turns out.

BarleyBop · Feb 25, 2026

Lookin' good! Can't wait to see that prop on the nose!

Holz44 · Mar 8, 2026

I'll probably finish this bird today or tonight...........
Here's a few pix

Since I had such a good seem between the wing and fuselage, I tried gluing certain parts internally like the belly tank mounts and struts. Zero glue residue on the outside of the body.

I also glued inside where the antenna wire insulator enters the fuselage. I certainly need to practice my "making" glue globs that resemble ceramic/porcelain insulators! Not as smooth or round as I'd like.

I drilled and added the camera port lens for the Photo-Recon version of this F5F.
Maybe some finish pix tonight...

VegasAWACER13 · Mar 8, 2026

Very nice!

Edbert · Mar 8, 2026

I really like the exhaust port weathering!

Holz44 · Mar 8, 2026

Well here's the finished F6F-5P Hellcat from 1945 which flew off the USS Hancock. Great kit, good fit and straightforward plans. I'll build another for sure, of course it'll be tri-color Pacific this time.
Next up is a Belly Tank Racer in resin, which will be a new medium for me plus I haven't done a automobile model since the '60s! I guess NOT really an auto but something my Dad told me about as a kid and I always was into grass roots muscle cars growing up. I'll have a good Mentor on this build - RacerX has offered his knowledge and advise, so let's get building!
He said first step was to place all parts in dish washer, upper rack to thoroughly clean. That just doesn't sound right..........................