F6F-5 Hellcat “White 115” by Eduard – Carrier Killer in 1/48
Historical Background – The Hellcat That Dominated the Pacific
The Grumman F6F Hellcat was the United States Navy’s answer to the highly maneuverable Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero. Entering service in 1943, it quickly became the backbone of the US carrier fleet in the Pacific Theater. The improved F6F-5 version, introduced in 1944, featured a more powerful engine, better aerodynamics, and improved visibility.
Over 12,000 Hellcats were built, achieving an astonishing kill ratio of 19:1. The F6F-5 saw service in some of the most decisive battles of WWII and was known for its ruggedness, power, and ease of carrier operation.
The Kit – Eduard’s F6F-5 in 1/48
Eduard delivers one of the best Hellcat kits in 1/48 scale. The surface detail is crisp, the panel lines and rivets are well-rendered, and the fit is excellent. The only minor downside is the limited aftermarket options, as most are designed for the older Hasegawa kit, which doesn’t match Eduard’s level of precision.
Construction – Upgrades and Custom Work
Engine & Cowling Swap
Although the kit cowling is accurate in dimension and shape, I replaced the engine with a Verlinden aftermarket engine, which fit perfectly after careful measurements. This gave a substantial upgrade in visible detail.
Folding Wings – A Scratchbuilt Challenge
Using scale drawings, I carefully cut the wings to simulate the folding mechanism. The build required custom hinges and internal structure inside the wing fold. Additionally, the entire wheel bay was scratchbuilt for added realism.
This step was one of the most complex parts of the build but also the most rewarding.
Painting and Weathering
Base Color: Gloss Sea Blue FS 35042 – Model Master
Technique:
Lightened with white and sprayed on raised rivets and panel edges.
Second pass in matte tone for mid-depth.
Third coat included a tiny amount of red for subtle modulation across panels with a fine airbrush needle.
Weathering:
Oil wash: Raw Umber (light and controlled – carrier-based aircraft were kept relatively clean).
Exhaust stains: H343 Soot and Model Master FS 33531 Sand over the upper cowling.
Dusting: Final pass with Humbrol 155 Matt Brown.
F6F-5 Hellcat Color Chart – Scale Model Paint References
| Brand | Overall (FS 35042) | Cockpit (Interior Green ANA 611) | Wheel Bay (Zinc Chromate) | Engine (Black / Metal tones) | Exhaust / Heat Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FS Code | FS 35042 | ANA 611 / FS 34151 | FS 33481 / ANA 611 | FS 37038 + Metal effects | FS 30099 / FS 33531 |
| Model Master | 1717 – Gloss Sea Blue | 1715 Interior Green | 1734 Zinc Chromate | 1749 Flat Black + 1401 Steel | 2001 Burnt Iron / 1706 Sand |
| Tamiya | XF-17 | XF-5 + XF-3 mix (80/20) | XF-4 Yellow Green | XF-1 Black + X-10 Gun Metal | XF-56 + drybrush XF-64 |
| Mr. Hobby | H54 / C54 | H58 Interior Green | H312 Green FS34227 | H12 Black + H76 Burnt Iron | H343 + H37 Buff |
| Hataka | HTK-A086 | HTK-A035 | HTK-A034 Zinc Chromate | HTK-A103 + HTK-A163 combo | HTK-A111 + HTK-A087 |
| AK Real Colors | RC260 | RC274 Interior Green US WWII | RC279 Zinc Chromate | RC001 Black + RC020 Gun Metal | RC024 Exhaust Smoke |
| AMMO Mig | A.MIG-225 | A.MIG-220 Interior Green | A.MIG-223 Zinc Chromate | A.MIG-045 + A.MIG-045 Wash | A.MIG-220 + A.MIG-3006 |
| Humbrol | 181 | 226 Interior Green | 81 Pale Yellow / 226 Mix | 33 Matt Black + 53 Gunmetal | 113 Rust / 63 Sand |
Comments:
Cockpit: Usually painted with ANA 611 Interior Green, but on some aircraft it had differences per production unit (Early vs Late F6F-5).
Wheel Bay: Either in Zinc Chromate Yellow or in Interior Green, depending on the production phase. You can also mix them for a more realistic result.
Engine Block: Black with metallic drybrush for the cylinder heads and pipes.
Exhaust: Mix of Soot, Burnt Iron, Rust and Dust (sand) for weathering.
Diorama – Bringing the Deck to Life
The scene was completed with:
Verlinden 1/48 US Navy WWII flight deck crew
The composition recreates a typical Pacific war carrier scene with subtle storytelling and realistic layout.
Recommended Books for Reference & Inspiration
F6F Hellcat at War – by Cory Graff
F6F Hellcat in Detail & Scale – by Bert Kinzey
Hellcat: The F6F in World War II – by Barrett Tillman
US Navy Carrier Fighters of WWII – Squadron/Signal Walkaround series
Aftermarket Detail Sets Used / Suggested
Engine: Verlinden F6F Hellcat engine detail set (modified to fit Eduard kit)
Photo-Etch (Optional): Eduard Zoom PE set for F6F-5 cockpit (for added realism)
Carrier Crew Figures: Verlinden 1/48 USN Flight Deck Crew WWII
Carrier Base: Eduard #8802 – Pre-painted resin US Navy deck section
Towing Tractor: Tamiya US Navy Deck Tractor
Mitsubishi A6M Zero
Conclusion
This build shows how a solid base kit like Eduard’s F6F-5 can be elevated into a centerpiece model with the right upgrades, research, and a bit of scratchbuilding. The Hellcat remains a favorite for WWII aircraft modelers – and with Eduard’s tooling, the possibilities are endless.
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