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Richard's Academy/Airfix Hellcat for Simon

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  • rtfoe
    SMF Supporters
    • Apr 2018
    • 9082

    #61
    Thanks Guys, I hope Rick H has a fleet of them. :smiling6: And Jim, it might look neat but there are still gaps and filler to be applied then you'll see how messy it can get...

    Here's the rear mud guard fitted with plastic strip shims.

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    It's too white to see the thin gaps at the top of the spacer and sheet that will need filling in...

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    From this angle you can see the gap to the superstructure to be filled.

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    Here's the messy part...I like to layer in the putty and sand off once and for all and this E7 putty lets me do that as it dries quickly layer upon layer and hardens with the consistency of wax so scraping and sanding is easy. It doesn't flake off...the industrial thinner that I use to thin it gives a good bite and hold into the plastic. I have put some putty onto the accidental cuts and scratches that the blade made while cleaning up the edges.

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    Toldja it was messy...all it needs is a blade to slice off the extra hardened putty and the rest to wet sand.

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    All the deep scratches will be filled in by the putty. I had to remove the exhaust tube that was in the way. I have to correct the lamp guards as reference shows them different...the AFV ones are correct. I'm doing these changes because I have the AFV kit to compare it with and may put both of them in the same diorama but you can still build a passable Hellcat from the Academy kit.

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    Cheers,
    Richard

    Comment

    • Guest

      #62
      Good fix for the sides. However, if I feel the need to build an M18 again, I think I’ll buy another AFV Club kit instead of this one

      Comment

      • Jim R
        SMF Supporters
        • Apr 2018
        • 15689
        • Jim
        • Shropshire

        #63
        Hi Richard
        Sure does go through a messy stage. It will all come good I'm sure.
        Jim

        Comment

        • rtfoe
          SMF Supporters
          • Apr 2018
          • 9082

          #64
          Originally posted by Jakko
          Good fix for the sides. However, if I feel the need to build an M18 again, I think I’ll buy another AFV Club kit instead of this one :smiling3:
          Thanks Jakko, however the Academy kit was the first, earliest and only kit that came out at the time of the Hellcat. Even then there were some errors noticed but nothing to compare but from references. Then the AFV kit arrived but by then most modelers would have built the Academy kit. I remember some looked quite good in dioramas hiding in ambush so you didn't quite see the errors in shape easily. Now you don't see much of both kits in LHS shelves anymore. Now Airfix has one which I'm guessing is a re-boxed Academy kit since the other 1/35 range of armour are also re-boxed Academy moulds.

          Originally posted by Jim R
          Hi Richard
          Sure does go through a messy stage. It will all come good I'm sure.
          Jim
          Jim, like they say it isn't over till the fat lady sings so the mess will go eventually after sanding and a coat of primer.

          With that here are pics after the sanding...looks a bit neater.

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          Here shows how the E7 putty stays in the scratch grooves after the wet sanding...reminds me of Squadron green putty. The grooves were made by my blade running wild while scraping the edges.

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          The original plastic is olive in colour so you can see the different materials used just to get the rear end of the kit to look right and I'm just saying shapewise.

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          One long scratch covered with putty. All the handling has bent the grill supports so will need straightening again.

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          Cheers,
          Richard

          Comment

          • Mini Me
            SMF Supporters
            • Jun 2018
            • 10711

            #65
            A good bit of work done there Richard, Matron has lent me her First Aid Kit should you have a need for sutures, sticking plaster.......might even be a nip of brandy in there if private Hook hasn't got to it.:face-with-head-bandage::dizzy::tongue-out3:
            Rick H.

            Comment

            • rtfoe
              SMF Supporters
              • Apr 2018
              • 9082

              #66
              Thanks Rick, I might take a swig on that brandy when I cut into the Oxford code stencils...been putting that off for a while now.

              Cheers,
              Richard

              Comment

              • rtfoe
                SMF Supporters
                • Apr 2018
                • 9082

                #67
                No building tonight...sinus attack so I'm dripping, sneezing and taking paracetamol for the headaches and sleeping early.

                Night night,
                Richard

                Comment

                • Jim R
                  SMF Supporters
                  • Apr 2018
                  • 15689
                  • Jim
                  • Shropshire

                  #68
                  That puttying and sanding has been worth while.
                  Originally posted by rtfoe
                  With that here are pics after the sanding...looks a bit neater.
                  Looks a lot neater :tongue-out3:
                  Hope you feel better soon. I'm a great believer in sleep when you feel under the weather.
                  Jim

                  Comment

                  • Allen Dewire
                    SMF Supporters
                    • Apr 2018
                    • 4741
                    • Allen
                    • Bamberg

                    #69
                    Hi Richard,

                    Sorry to hear the sinus' are acting up. Hope you're feeling better soon. I have been playing ketchup and your work is looking very good Buddy. Oh, and speaking of ketchup, that's what it looks like on the tissue. Sure you didn't lose a drop while eating your french fries and it fell on your finger. Just wondering......

                    Mods are really fine so far and right up there with the scratchy butt work. BTW, what is E7 putty? Oh, and I thought your primer was snow at first, but remembered that in your neck of the woods, it doesn't snow........

                    Prost
                    Allen
                    Life's to short to be a sheep...

                    Comment

                    • rtfoe
                      SMF Supporters
                      • Apr 2018
                      • 9082

                      #70
                      Thanks Jim and Allen,

                      I guess the dust from all that sanding must have caused the sinuses to act up. I was surprised how vermilion it looked on the tissue...I'm thinking it's been diluted by the many blood tests I took during my operation. :smiling6: Haven't actually painted the tank...the white is actually primer straight from the can. Sorry to disappoint that it's not snow but a lot of references on the Hellcat show them at the Battle of the Bulge.
                      My sinuses lasts only 24hrs so I was back at the bench mostly staring but managed to correct the headlamp guards from this...

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                      To this...

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                      I don't know much about my E7 filler. It was brought in by my LHS and I only bought one bottle which is still in use today.

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                      If anybody knows who manufactures it is most welcomed to post here.

                      Cheers,
                      Richard

                      Comment

                      • Lee Drennen
                        SMF Supporters
                        • Apr 2018
                        • 7711

                        #71
                        Richard. Nice updates

                        Comment

                        • stillp
                          SMF Supporters
                          • Nov 2016
                          • 8093
                          • Pete
                          • Rugby

                          #72
                          Seems to be these guys: https://www.e7paints.com/product-category/putty/
                          Pete

                          Comment

                          • rtfoe
                            SMF Supporters
                            • Apr 2018
                            • 9082

                            #73
                            Thanks guys and thanks on E7 info...it's formulated for Gunpla guys no wonder its so refined and easy to use.

                            Cheers,
                            Richard

                            Comment

                            • Richard48
                              SMF Supporters
                              • Apr 2018
                              • 1892
                              • Richard
                              • Clacton on Sea

                              #74
                              Not much fun Sinus problems.When im sanding my busts and using Epoxy i usually end up head and eyes hurting,Hot and sneezy.
                              Nice Work once again.
                              Rich

                              Comment

                              • Si Benson
                                • Apr 2018
                                • 3572

                                #75
                                Hi Richard,
                                Looks like your putting a fair amount of effort into get this Hellcat to look more refined.....very nice :thumb2:

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