Gangster's Hellcat 'Patoruza'

[GangsterNo1]

A late entry. I'm using these GBs / SiGs as a way of upping my modelling time and skills so I'm going to try and enter all of them this year......

This build will be a whole lot of firsts for me:

First aircraft since building an Airfix 1/72 Spitfire in 1983 when I was 14 years old
First build with colour photo etch
First build with resin

It's going to be a learning experience that's for sure. The kit is a 1/48 Eduard Profipack combo, so I have a spare if I screw up really badly.



I'm going to go for a Mk.II that was flown buy an Argentinian guy called Oscar Lorenzo.

[GangsterNo1]

I have to admit to being intimidated by this kit, especially the PE. Took the plunge and started to try and find my way through the cockpit build. Then realised I didnt have a chisel for removing some of the detail that the PE replaces, and I didnt have tweezers with a small enough tip to handle the PE. And I didnt have any paint for the cockpit interior So, after a brief wait while I sourced what I needed, I made a start.

The PE is so small, there have been pieces I couldn't even see once they were cut off! But over all I have been impressed with the detail and quality of the stuff in this kit.


The guys at my local model shop have been raving about MRP (Mr.Paint) paints from Slovakia so I thought I'd give it a go as the cockpit colour was a brilliant match for the coloured PE green. They are a pre-thinned, lacquer based acrylic and went down amazing well with no primer, in just a couple of light coats. It was only after I had doneit that I realised that I had forgot to pieces of plain metal PE that I had forgot to attach before painting. Schoolboy error.

[GangsterNo1]

Nearly there on the cockpit. Need to re-spray above the seat where there was some ugliness, and also the seat insert which I tried to hand paint but did badly. I sanded it back so hopefully it will look better.

[Avgas]

Great start. For handling small parts of PE can I recommend using a wax pencil. Ultimate sell them if you haven't already got one.

[jnbattleship]

Good Start!

[GangsterNo1]

Cheers guys.

Thanks for tip Avgas, I've had a go with some Micro Stix from Flexifile and they are way too sticky for small pieces of PE. Will give the wax pencils a go.

[GangsterNo1]

Pretty much there with the cockpit. Just a wash and some chipping and I can move on.

[GangsterNo1]

Real life has definitely got in the way, again. Apologies for the lack of updates.

Progress to date. I am nearly ready for paint. Fuselage, wings and landing gear are done. I'm struggling with the sequence of things and learning as I go.











Got a tool for scraping seams that has lots of different size curves. It mad short work on the missiles and bombs.