No moveable control surfaces, but
there is a high level of detail. The panel
lines are a bit overdone, but not nearly
to the level of IXO and FOV.
there is a high level of detail. The panel
lines are a bit overdone, but not nearly
to the level of IXO and FOV.
Suddenly, after many years of only having MB's offering, we are starting to see lots o' Hellcats in 1:72 -- IXO, Dragon, Hobby Master, and soon
Corgi are joining the fray. (Corgi will supposedly be using HM molds, but this hasn't been formally announced yet.) This is s pre-production model
of what will be Hobby Master's second Hellcat (the first is the Minsi III, due out in November). I really like the unique Southeast Asia, Royal Navy
Fleet Air Arm camo scheme and markings of this model! It really stands out amongst the usual USN and RAF birds in my hangar.
The paint job is absolutely first-rate, it's very cleanly applied and simply looks stellar. The finish of the small bits seems better on this model
than with previous HM efforts, too. There are a few issues with this model, but most -- if not all -- should be fixed in the final release. The access
door you can see on the port wing will not be present in the retail release, there's no cockpit panel in the pre-pro, I had to glue in the rockets as the
didn't come close to fitting without help, and I think the antenna mast may be a bit too far forward as it doesn't allow the canopy to slide back as far
as it looks like it should. Also, the stab is kind of crudely affixed to the fuselage -- you can see clear through a few gaps. I hope this will be fixed with
the final but this may be something that's part of the mold that we have to live with.
The canopy, both the open and closed options, also fit really loosely and was prone to riding up as I moved the model for the pics. So you'll
see some gaps in some images. Don't fear: the cockpit will rest flush with the fuselage with a bit of pressure.
I like the black wash effect HM uses to give the model a used look, and the exhaust stains are another nice touch -- one I would like to see
applied to the guns, too, with some cordite stains. The detail in the mold is very good overall, with a bit of over-emphasis on the rivets and panel
lines in spots. Look closely at the rear portion of the canopy's subtle panel line -- it's not nearly as deep as the lines in the fuselage and I would be
curious to see them done in this same more-subtle fashion for the entire model.
An optional pilot will reportedly be included with the retail release, too, and HM should be commended for the number of display options they
are including with this model: Bombs, rockets, open and closed canopies, up/down gear, display stand. This pre-pro model is a very promising
indication that HM's Hellcat mold will be able to give Dragon a run for our money. Looking very good indeed!
Corgi are joining the fray. (Corgi will supposedly be using HM molds, but this hasn't been formally announced yet.) This is s pre-production model
of what will be Hobby Master's second Hellcat (the first is the Minsi III, due out in November). I really like the unique Southeast Asia, Royal Navy
Fleet Air Arm camo scheme and markings of this model! It really stands out amongst the usual USN and RAF birds in my hangar.
The paint job is absolutely first-rate, it's very cleanly applied and simply looks stellar. The finish of the small bits seems better on this model
than with previous HM efforts, too. There are a few issues with this model, but most -- if not all -- should be fixed in the final release. The access
door you can see on the port wing will not be present in the retail release, there's no cockpit panel in the pre-pro, I had to glue in the rockets as the
didn't come close to fitting without help, and I think the antenna mast may be a bit too far forward as it doesn't allow the canopy to slide back as far
as it looks like it should. Also, the stab is kind of crudely affixed to the fuselage -- you can see clear through a few gaps. I hope this will be fixed with
the final but this may be something that's part of the mold that we have to live with.
The canopy, both the open and closed options, also fit really loosely and was prone to riding up as I moved the model for the pics. So you'll
see some gaps in some images. Don't fear: the cockpit will rest flush with the fuselage with a bit of pressure.
I like the black wash effect HM uses to give the model a used look, and the exhaust stains are another nice touch -- one I would like to see
applied to the guns, too, with some cordite stains. The detail in the mold is very good overall, with a bit of over-emphasis on the rivets and panel
lines in spots. Look closely at the rear portion of the canopy's subtle panel line -- it's not nearly as deep as the lines in the fuselage and I would be
curious to see them done in this same more-subtle fashion for the entire model.
An optional pilot will reportedly be included with the retail release, too, and HM should be commended for the number of display options they
are including with this model: Bombs, rockets, open and closed canopies, up/down gear, display stand. This pre-pro model is a very promising
indication that HM's Hellcat mold will be able to give Dragon a run for our money. Looking very good indeed!
Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series
Grumman Hellcat Mk. II, FAA, 804 Sq. 1945 #HA1102 Preview, due Dec. 2006
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