Eduard F6F-3 Hellcat

[KennyX]

In terms of weathering this particular aircraft. She was carrier-based, in the Pcific. Saw a lot of action. She’s going to have to be fairly weathered. So far I’ve done “Weathered A Bit But Well-Maintained” and that’s about it. I’m thinking this’ll have to be “Beat-Up But Well-Maintained”, with maybe some salt issues as well? I wonder...

[Medicman71]

It had the highest kill ratio of any naval aircraft in WW2.

[Stikpusher]

In terms of weathering this particular aircraft. She was carrier-based, in the Pcific. Saw a lot of action. She’s going to have to be fairly weathered. So far I’ve done “Weathered A Bit But Well-Maintained” and that’s about it. I’m thinking this’ll have to be “Beat-Up But Well-Maintained”, with maybe some salt issues as well? I wonder...

I’d say faded , and well maintained. First off, the Navy has a very good supply pipeline of new aircraft by the time VF-27 received their Hellcats and embarked on USS Princeton in spring 1944. Any aircraft that was too used up or heavily damaged in operations was stripped of serviceable parts and dumped overboard. A replacement would be obtained from spares on board, or when putting in at a forward base after a combat cruise. Second, VF-27 has their Hellcats at Sea for only five months by the time that Princeton was sunk at Leyte Gulf in October 1944. The tropical sea environment would be hard on the paint, but as you could see in some of the earlier photos, the finish was pretty hardy. And they were not exposed to the abrasive crushed coral sand dust as were their land based comrades in the Pacific.
But now you can have lots of fun on the undersides as that big radial leaked a lot of oil, and the exhaust staining on that white undersurface...

[speedgraflex]

Carlos! That photo is amazing. Is there a Hi Def version out there? That would be a beautiful painting. Thanks so much for posting.

Also: yes Kenny X definitely what Carlos wrote...



Sun faded, oily, monster power plant / monster truck but not so much flaky peely metal psoriasis no sir no how faded and bleached a bit topside but maintained.

[KennyX]

I’m really glad I asked! Thank you Carlos. What you described is a lot more agreeable to me than “Beat Up.” And I wasn’t particularly keen on doing salt weathering, truth be told. That picture you provided is lovely. I really like the look of that a lot and would like to duplicate it. Also, I do like the idea of dirtying it up underneath. That’s my jam. Touched on it on my last build and want to expand a little on that. I liked working with that pastel dust...

Anyway, again, thank you!

[Stuart]

Ahem....

Let's not forget the other user...

[Stikpusher]

Ahem....

Let's not forget the other user...

You mean these chaps?





I suppose they do deserve that consideration...

[Stuart]

Great pictures Still!

The FAA made pretty good use of the Hellcat too during the war - on all fronts.

[Stikpusher]

Great pictures Still!

The FAA made pretty good use of the Hellcat too during the war - on all fronts.

Yes they did! And the Corsair as well. FAA was the first to get the F4U operational at sea on carriers after the USN said that aircraft was not suitable for carrier ops due to landing issues. So they gave it to the Marines to fly from land bases...



Meanwhile the Royal Navy made them work at sea and clipped the wingtips to fit in their hangar decks...

[KennyX]

It had the highest kill ratio of any naval aircraft in WW2.

Yeah buddy!! That’s how we roll in the good old US of A!