In Box Review of Minicraft-Hasegawa 1/32nd Scale Grumman F6F-3/5 Hellcat
Kit no. 1081
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1979
Out of production.
I paid $7.99 for my kit, years ago, when it was marked down from $10.00, at the Toy Fair store that was at the local mall and went out of business.
Available in the later 1992 boxing (Kit no. 08057) at Kitlinx, 1001 Hobbies and Squadron for $40.39 or at Sprue Brothers for $40.49 and at 4 locations overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1979
Out of production.
I paid $7.99 for my kit, years ago, when it was marked down from $10.00, at the Toy Fair store that was at the local mall and went out of business.
Available in the later 1992 boxing (Kit no. 08057) at Kitlinx, 1001 Hobbies and Squadron for $40.39 or at Sprue Brothers for $40.49 and at 4 locations overseas on the web.
HISTORY:
The Grumman F6F Hellcat is an American carrier-based fighter aircraft of World War II. Designed to replace the earlier F4F Wildcat and to counter the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero, it was the United States Navy's dominant fighter in the second half of the Pacific War. In gaining that role, it prevailed over its faster competitor, the Vought F4U Corsair, which initially had problems with visibility and carrier landings.
Powered by a 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp, the same powerplant used for both the Corsair and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighters, the F6F was an entirely new design, but it still resembled the Wildcat in many ways. Some military observers tagged the Hellcat as the "Wildcat's big brother".
The F6F made its combat debut in September 1943. It subsequently established itself as a rugged, well-designed carrier fighter, which was able to outperform the A6M Zero and help secure air superiority over the Pacific theater. In total, 12,275 were built in just over two years.
Hellcats were credited with destroying a total of 5,223 enemy aircraft while in service with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm (FAA).[6][Note 2] This was more than any other Allied naval aircraft.[8] After the war, Hellcats were phased out of front-line service in the US, but radar-equipped F6F-5Ns remained in service as late as 1954 as night fighters.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 1
Length: 33 ft 7 in (10.24 m)
Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.06 m)
Height: 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m)
Wing area: 334 sq ft (31.0 m2)
Aspect ratio: 5.5
Airfoil: root: NACA 23015.6; tip: NACA 23009
Empty weight: 9,238 lb. (4,190 kg)
Gross weight: 12,598 lb. (5,714 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 15,415 lb. (6,992 kg)
Fuel capacity: 250 US gal (208 imp gal; 946 L) internal; up to 3 × 150 US gal (125 imp gal; 568 L) external drop tanks
Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0211
Drag area: 7.05 sq ft (0.655 m2)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W Double Wasp 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 2,200 hp (1,600 kW) with a two-speed two-stage supercharger and water injection
Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard, 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m) diameter constant-speed propeller
Maximum speed: 391 mph (629 km/h, 340 knot)
Stall speed: 84 mph (135 km/h, 73 knot)
Combat range: 945 mi (1,521 km, 821 nm.)
Ferry range: 1,530 mi (2,460 km, 1,330 nm.)
Service ceiling: 37,300 ft (11,400 m)
Rate of climb: 2,600 ft/min (13 m/s)
Time to altitude: 20,000 ft (6,096 m) in 7 minutes 42 seconds
Lift-to-drag: 12.2
Wing loading: 37.7 lb./sq ft (184 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 0.16 hp/lb. (0.26 kW/kg)
Take-off run: 799 ft (244 m)
Armament:
Guns: 6 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns, with 400 rounds per gun, (All F6F-3, and most F6F-5) or 2 × 0.79 in (20 mm) AN/M2 cannon, with 225 rounds per gun and 4 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) Browning machine guns with 400 rounds per gun
Rockets: 6 × 5 in (127 mm) HVARs or 2 × 11.75 in (298 mm) Tiny Tim unguided rockets
Bombs: up to 4,000 lbs. (1,800 kg) full load, including:
Centerline rack: 1 × 2,000 lb (910 kg) bomb or 1 × Mark 13 torpedo
Underwing bombs: (F6F-5 had two additional weapons racks either side of fuselage on wing center-section) or 2 × 1,000 lb. (450 kg), 500 lb. (230 kg), 250 lb. (110 kg), or 6 × 100 lb. (45 kg) (Mk.3 Bomb Cluster).
The Grumman F6F Hellcat is an American carrier-based fighter aircraft of World War II. Designed to replace the earlier F4F Wildcat and to counter the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero, it was the United States Navy's dominant fighter in the second half of the Pacific War. In gaining that role, it prevailed over its faster competitor, the Vought F4U Corsair, which initially had problems with visibility and carrier landings.
Powered by a 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp, the same powerplant used for both the Corsair and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighters, the F6F was an entirely new design, but it still resembled the Wildcat in many ways. Some military observers tagged the Hellcat as the "Wildcat's big brother".
The F6F made its combat debut in September 1943. It subsequently established itself as a rugged, well-designed carrier fighter, which was able to outperform the A6M Zero and help secure air superiority over the Pacific theater. In total, 12,275 were built in just over two years.
Hellcats were credited with destroying a total of 5,223 enemy aircraft while in service with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm (FAA).[6][Note 2] This was more than any other Allied naval aircraft.[8] After the war, Hellcats were phased out of front-line service in the US, but radar-equipped F6F-5Ns remained in service as late as 1954 as night fighters.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 1
Length: 33 ft 7 in (10.24 m)
Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.06 m)
Height: 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m)
Wing area: 334 sq ft (31.0 m2)
Aspect ratio: 5.5
Airfoil: root: NACA 23015.6; tip: NACA 23009
Empty weight: 9,238 lb. (4,190 kg)
Gross weight: 12,598 lb. (5,714 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 15,415 lb. (6,992 kg)
Fuel capacity: 250 US gal (208 imp gal; 946 L) internal; up to 3 × 150 US gal (125 imp gal; 568 L) external drop tanks
Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0211
Drag area: 7.05 sq ft (0.655 m2)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W Double Wasp 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 2,200 hp (1,600 kW) with a two-speed two-stage supercharger and water injection
Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard, 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m) diameter constant-speed propeller
Maximum speed: 391 mph (629 km/h, 340 knot)
Stall speed: 84 mph (135 km/h, 73 knot)
Combat range: 945 mi (1,521 km, 821 nm.)
Ferry range: 1,530 mi (2,460 km, 1,330 nm.)
Service ceiling: 37,300 ft (11,400 m)
Rate of climb: 2,600 ft/min (13 m/s)
Time to altitude: 20,000 ft (6,096 m) in 7 minutes 42 seconds
Lift-to-drag: 12.2
Wing loading: 37.7 lb./sq ft (184 kg/m2)
Power/mass: 0.16 hp/lb. (0.26 kW/kg)
Take-off run: 799 ft (244 m)
Armament:
Guns: 6 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns, with 400 rounds per gun, (All F6F-3, and most F6F-5) or 2 × 0.79 in (20 mm) AN/M2 cannon, with 225 rounds per gun and 4 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) Browning machine guns with 400 rounds per gun
Rockets: 6 × 5 in (127 mm) HVARs or 2 × 11.75 in (298 mm) Tiny Tim unguided rockets
Bombs: up to 4,000 lbs. (1,800 kg) full load, including:
Centerline rack: 1 × 2,000 lb (910 kg) bomb or 1 × Mark 13 torpedo
Underwing bombs: (F6F-5 had two additional weapons racks either side of fuselage on wing center-section) or 2 × 1,000 lb. (450 kg), 500 lb. (230 kg), 250 lb. (110 kg), or 6 × 100 lb. (45 kg) (Mk.3 Bomb Cluster).
THE KIT:
Minicraft-Hasegawa is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer. Minicraft is based in Torrance, CA USA and Hasegawa is based in Yaizu, Japan.
This kit came in a blousy, large shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. It is 2” too long and 3” too wide.
The cover art shows a color photo of the model made up and posed against an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand does the majority of their box arts.
It is non spectacular-blue, above intermediate-blue sides and a flat-white undercarriage.
It has a face painted on the side of the nose that shows sharp teeth that are spitting blood, a large U.S. star and bars on the sides of the fuselage and under the right wing and atop the left wing. A white 17 on the rudder sides and small black 17s on the main gear doors. A black propeller, with yellow tips. A white rocket, under each wing, with black noses.
One side-panel of the box begins with a one-paragraph history and specifications for the Hellcat. Followed by a color repeat of the cover art and a list of KIT FEATURES: Ultra detailed 19 cylinder Pratt & Whitney engine with removeable one-piece cowling for displace purposes. Six Browning .50 cal. machine guns in wing mounts with access covers. Optional position flaps, canopy, landing gear, wheel well covers, arresting hook. Optional parts to build either -3 or -5 versions of F6F Hellcat.
Minicraft-Hasegawa is an old prolific plastic model kit manufacturer. Minicraft is based in Torrance, CA USA and Hasegawa is based in Yaizu, Japan.
This kit came in a blousy, large shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. It is 2” too long and 3” too wide.
The cover art shows a color photo of the model made up and posed against an all-white background. Similar to how Tamiya brand does the majority of their box arts.
It is non spectacular-blue, above intermediate-blue sides and a flat-white undercarriage.
It has a face painted on the side of the nose that shows sharp teeth that are spitting blood, a large U.S. star and bars on the sides of the fuselage and under the right wing and atop the left wing. A white 17 on the rudder sides and small black 17s on the main gear doors. A black propeller, with yellow tips. A white rocket, under each wing, with black noses.
One side-panel of the box begins with a one-paragraph history and specifications for the Hellcat. Followed by a color repeat of the cover art and a list of KIT FEATURES: Ultra detailed 19 cylinder Pratt & Whitney engine with removeable one-piece cowling for displace purposes. Six Browning .50 cal. machine guns in wing mounts with access covers. Optional position flaps, canopy, landing gear, wheel well covers, arresting hook. Optional parts to build either -3 or -5 versions of F6F Hellcat.
The other side-panel of the box shows 3 color photos of areas of the model made up: the cockpit, inside the wing machine-gun compartments and the engine, with cowling removed. Followed by: Unassembled model kit. Manufactured in USA, under license from Hasegawa Model Co. Yaizu, Japan. Minicraft Models Inc. Torrance California 90501. Made and printed in USA.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds 6 light-grey parts trees, a clear tree, the decal sheet and the instructions. Nothing is cello bagged.
The instructions consist of an unbound booklet of 8 pages, in 8 ½” x 11” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white photo of the model, made up in the box art scheme. Over the history and specifications of the Hellcat and Minicraft Models Inc’s street address in Torrance, Ca.
Pages 2 on through to page 5 gives a grand total of 9 assembly steps.
Page 6 is a painting and marking guide.
It shows a 4-view of the Hellcat in the box art scheme (already described above).
Page 7 is the parts-trees illustrations, with all the parts named.
Page 8 is blank.
Trees are not alphabetized.
This kit holds 6 light-grey parts trees, a clear tree, the decal sheet and the instructions. Nothing is cello bagged.
The instructions consist of an unbound booklet of 8 pages, in 8 ½” x 11” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white photo of the model, made up in the box art scheme. Over the history and specifications of the Hellcat and Minicraft Models Inc’s street address in Torrance, Ca.
Pages 2 on through to page 5 gives a grand total of 9 assembly steps.
Page 6 is a painting and marking guide.
It shows a 4-view of the Hellcat in the box art scheme (already described above).
Page 7 is the parts-trees illustrations, with all the parts named.
Page 8 is blank.
Trees are not alphabetized.
The 1st light-grey tree holds: wheels, propeller, crankcase halves, drop tank and fuselage halves (11 parts)
The 2nd light-grey tree holds the wing halves (3 parts)
The 3rd light-grey tree holds: more wheels, cowl flaps, rockets, alternate elevators, exhaust pipes, drop tank braces, landing gear struts (43 parts)
The 4th light-grey tree holds: front and rear halves of the pilot figure, cockpit floor, gear doors, engine cylinders, antennas, joy stick, magnetos, intake manifold, push rods, machine guns and their panels, left and right cockpit consoles, rear cockpit wall, headrest (43 parts)
The last 2 small light grey parts are wing flaps.
I fail to see any difference in the elevators. They look identical. I also don’t know if the box art and illustrations are showing a type -3 or -5 and what markings would be for the other Hellcat ? There are only the makings shown for the box art scheme on the decal sheet. Bad move here Minicraft!
Careful study of the instructions has told me that it is the -3 version that the box art and instructions show.
I fail to see any difference in the elevators. They look identical. I also don’t know if the box art and illustrations are showing a type -3 or -5 and what markings would be for the other Hellcat ? There are only the makings shown for the box art scheme on the decal sheet. Bad move here Minicraft!
Careful study of the instructions has told me that it is the -3 version that the box art and instructions show.
The clear tree holds the canopy, gun sight lens, that are used for either the -3 or -5 version. A different windshield and side windows for either version.
The decal sheet completes the kit contents.
The detail is very good. Panel lines are of the raised variety.
Recommended.
Recommended.