Here is my completed 1/72 Italeri F6F-3 Hellcat. I have always liked the look of the Hellcat. It just looks mean and ready for a fight. When Italeri released this kit back in 2003 I just had to pick one up and add it to my Hellcat collection (they have since released the F6F-5N version of the Hellcat).   

The kit comes with recessed panel lines that are a bit deep, but look nice when painted. It also has position able canopy and tail hook, flaps that can be deployed or raised (to my knowledge this is the only, or at least one of the first injection kits in this scale to have this option), engine flaps that can be cut out and dropped in the open position, and a nice decal sheet with three options for markings (two World War II USN machines and one World War II Royal Navy Hell-Kitty). Overall it was a nice build that I would recommend to any 1/72 World War II aircraft enthusiast. 

Much has already been written about this kit so I won’t go into too many details. I would like to say that this is not as bad as what some may have you think. I have read where this kit has poor fit and tricky steps and should be avoided. While I would agree that the cockpit assembly is fiddly to fit correctly into the fuselage, I found the overall fit to be exceptional. I did not need to use any filler on this kit whatsoever and sanding was very minimal. Care should be taken when attaching the canopy and windscreen to ensure that they sit properly. This was perhaps the hardest area of the kit to accomplish. All of the other major assemblies just fell together and it was a pure joy to build.

Click on images below to see larger images

The cockpit is sparse, but then again many kits in this scale have minimal detail in the front office. Once painted, washed, and with the details that are provided picked out, the cockpit came to life and actually doesn’t look too bad in my humble opinion. I replaced the molded on seat belts with belts made from masking tape and foil. The engine has some nice detail molded on, and with some dry brushing, and a wash, looks like a Hellcat engine. The drop tank is great looking and fits like a glove (I didn’t glue mine on as the fit is nice and snug). The ‘cat’ does seem to sit a bit low on its gear compared to my Academy kit. But unless you know a thing or two about the F6F series of aircraft you probably won’t notice it.  

The kits color recommendations are totally wrong. So before painting your ‘Cat’ make sure you get the right FS numbers, or do what I did…ask the fine people here at ARC for assistance (I bet you get your answer in less then an hour!). I airbrushed my Hellcat with Gunze paints and shot it with Future as a gloss prior to decal application. I have always liked the Hellcat with the “Cat’s Mouth” painted on the front engine cowl. I think this is probably one of the best versions of nose art to be seen on a USN aircraft during the entire war. These ‘Mouth’ markings come with the kit and are actually quite good. Rather then fiddle with the two red decals that go on the extreme front of the engine (by the intake vents), I simply painted that area red (I would recommend this as it’s actually very easy, much easier then fooling with the kit supplied decals).  This specific Hellcat flew from the deck of the USS Princeton in the Pacific and scored 10 kills over Japanese aircraft (these kill markings are also very sharp and well done by Italeri).   

I hope you enjoyed looking at my Hellcat as much as I have enjoyed sharing it with you. I want to thank everyone here at ARC for their help and for answering my 1000’s of questions over the years. Your help, advice, and sharing of materials has helped me improve my model building skills.  If you are interested in building a Hellcat in this scale then don’t hesitate to have a go at one of these little Italeri kits. 

Sincere Regards,  

Don Ryan