Not the Downfall GB #2 - Bubbletop Hellcat

[kitbasher]

Another that was originally started two years ago and enjoying rapid progress and then it went into the part-build box.  Mostly a pre-loved Matchbox Hellcat plus what look like FROG Hellcat bits.

Canopy will either be from a scrapped 1970s Airfix P-51D or a scrapped Matchbox P-51D.

So a second officially revived build, again working to the Downfall GB deadline.

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[PR19_Kit]

You're on a roll here Dave, good thinking. 

[DogfighterZen]

Good stuff! I've been thinking of the same for a while but never got the urge to build it. Looking forward to see the outcome.

[kerick]

That's an excellent idea!
I wonder why it took the Navy so long to adopt the bubble top canopy. It took until the Bearcats and Skyraider to show up in production IIRC.

[kitbasher]

Wings and tailplanes fitted, joints require a bit of PSR.

Have decided to go with the canopy off the long-scrapped 1970s Airfix P-51D.  Fit is better, saves faffing with the fuselage.  Needs scratch marks polishing out of it.

Pics at the next update.

[Dizzyfugu]

Bubbletop Hellcats are cool. I did one long ago with a P-51 canopy, but also changed the engine into an R-3350 from a Skyraider, as a post-WWII variant.

[zenrat]

That's a Bearcat.  What?  No.  Hang on...

[kitbasher]

Bubbletop Hellcats are cool. I did one long ago with a P-51 canopy, but also changed the engine into an R-3350 from a Skyraider, as a post-WWII variant.

EDIT (not using clunky iPad now): is that on the forum, Dizzy?

[Old Wombat]

Bubbletop Hellcats are cool. I did one long ago with a P-51 canopy, but also changed the engine into an R-3350 from a Skyraider, as a post-WWII variant.

kitbasher is lost for words!

(Again, if I remember correctly.)

[kitbasher]

Bubbletop Hellcats are cool. I did one long ago with a P-51 canopy, but also changed the engine into an R-3350 from a Skyraider, as a post-WWII variant.

kitbasher is lost for words!

(Again, if I remember correctly.)

Jeez it's the clunky iPad, must remember not to use it for the forum 🤬

See that post's edit.

[Dizzyfugu]

Bubbletop Hellcats are cool. I did one long ago with a P-51 canopy, but also changed the engine into an R-3350 from a Skyraider, as a post-WWII variant.

EDIT (not using clunky iPad now): is that on the forum, Dizzy?

Yes, must be, somewhere. Was called F6F-7 - if you cannot find it, the description is in the link to my FlickR albums below.


1:72 Grumman F6F-7N "Hellcat", aircraft '29/WF' of United States Marines Corps (USMC) VMF(N)-513, based at Kunsan AB, Korea, 1953 (Whif/kit conversion) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[Dizzyfugu]

Bubbletop Hellcats are cool. I did one long ago with a P-51 canopy, but also changed the engine into an R-3350 from a Skyraider, as a post-WWII variant.

EDIT (not using clunky iPad now): is that on the forum, Dizzy?

Here it is: https://www.whatifmodellers.com/index.php?topic=38957.msg641492#msg641492 

[kitbasher]

Cheerrs Dizzy,

Top build 

I see I commented on it at the time (mind you it was a 2014 build and scope for 'senior moments' have been on the rise since!).  Mine won't look as Bearcat as your's did.

[jcf]

Jennings Heilig's F6F-7 from yonks back. I saved all of the profiles that Madoc Pope
used to host. They're all good old days dial-up low res.
😉

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[kitbasher]

dial-up low res.
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A bit like my builds!

Anyway, that profile is how I imagine my bubbletop Hellcat will look, some minor differences in the windscreen because of what I'm using for that.