500 Series Hellcat Build

[backyardbalsapilot]

Hello all, backyardbalsapilot here.

I recently acquired a laser cut 500 series Hellcat, and it has been going together smoothly. (pics will come soon)

I have only encountered one problem so far: the decals. The blue field appears to be spotted with white. (Once again, pics will come soon)

Does anyone know of a website where I can print out some markings in the right scale?

Also, they changed the box design for the 500 series spitfire. Just something I noticed at my LHS.

[backyardbalsapilot]

As promised, here are the pics. I sanded the laser burn off the outside of each piece before assembly.

[backyardbalsapilot]

And a final bones shot:

[1778ppr]

Looks good. I’m surprised more people aren’t posting more 500 laser cut builds.
Is your rear rubber band mount in the stock location?

I typed in “printable stars and bars air” in my search engine and found these. You will have to scale (set %) when you print them. Hope this helps.

starbbar1.png

starbar2.jpg

[backyardbalsapilot]

1778ppr- the rubber motor mount is one bay forward of the specified position. I had to build the parts up a little.

Thanks for the markings. I plan to do it like this picture:

[backyardbalsapilot]

Another quick update:

I want to do a removable nose block, so I can change weight up front, so I plan to a noseblock like ADW123's FW190.

Pics are found here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2170&start=15

[Mitch]

Mine is the 1000 series, but this is about the markings.

I cut out all my markings from bond paper. Just used the white star and bar and numbers. You can also sand the paper down a bit to get it lighter. I just glued them on with a glue stick and then a top coat of dope.



PS I did not win, place or show... but this model flew on a rubber motor in WW2 combat at WESTFAC 5 and I made it to the second round! So she flew better than other planes. My Mechanic said I was too conservative on my motor. Flew with a 12 inch prop.

This model is 100% Guillow's wood, domestic colored paper, not too much plastic. She is currently one of my top 3 flyers.

[backyardbalsapilot]

Looks good, Mitch. I enjoyed reading through the build thread for your Hellcat.

Did you use EBM tissue? I have, and the hardest part is finding a paint color that matches it closely enough. I think I'll just use Krylon True Blue because I've got a can lying (laying?) around. Also, the blue EBM tissue bleeds if you spray it too much with the water-alcohol mixture I use to shrink.

[Mitch]

yes EBM... and I never experienced bleeding colors as I use water. We had another builder her have problems with bleeding colors and now I think you answered that question. For my FW I painted that and really liked the result. I am planning to build the Corsair soon and plan to paint that a darker blue than the Hellcat, and that will solve the problem of matching the color to paper.

...and cutting away the blue field in the decal or only making your white star removes the problem of the late war Navy planes as the blue field is the same as the plane.

[backyardbalsapilot]

Well, there are only a few minor details left to be worked out on the Hellcat(Landing gear (detachable), rubber motor, and maybe wing guns).

Pics will follow soon. I plan on going to the LHS tomorrow to get another kit as well as some other bits and pieces. I'm thinking about getting another Hurricane, as my first one was a lot of fun to build. Any suggestions?

[backyardbalsapilot]

Here is a pic of her mostly finished. I only have one wing gear and the tailwheel to paint.

[backyardbalsapilot]

Here are some pics of her all finished. I will be building a 500 series hurricane next (laser cut).

[bluecolt]

I've built a few 300 & 400 series laser cut models and I started my first 500 laser cut model last night (Spitfire) and I'm blown away at the quality of balsa in this kit. I've done a lot of the die crunched 500 series, and there is no comparison, this laser cut wood is very light, flat and has perfect grain.

[1778ppr]

I've been watching your thread. Your Hellcat came out great. The "paint scheme" was a good choice.

I'll have to do a search, but what is EDM tissue?

Thanks for posting, John

[1778ppr]

I just went back and re-read... it's EBM not EDM. Easy Built Models?