F6F-3 Hellcat

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Eduard Royal Class, Dual Kit
Kazan Model Dynamics Landing Gear Sets

Modeled is Lt. Hollis “Holly” Hills’ F6F-3 Hellcat as flown off USS Langley in 1944. Hills began is military career with the Canadian Air Force. He was transferred to England attached to No.414 Squadron, RCAF. Flying a Mustang Mk-I he downed a FW-190. With the United States entering the war, Hills transferred to the US Navy. Flying in the Pacific and part of the “Great Marianas Turkey Shoot” Hills shot down three Zeros. Later in the war he was credited with his fifth kill, making Hills an ace. The fighter pilot’s career path is what lends to the unusual kill markings on the aircraft.

The model was painted with Vallejo paints using Vallejo’s painting guide book “WWII US Navy Colors” by Jordi Lario. The book did recommend a white wash over the dark blue. I did not like the look and rewashed with a black wash. I was less aggressive with weathering than outlined in the book, but found the results satisfactory. All in all, a good reference with recommendations for color mixing.