In Box Review of Obscuro Aircraft 1/48th Scale
F6F-3/5 Corrected Cowling For Hasegawa Kit
Kit no. OBS-48001
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1998
MSRP: Back then: $3.95
Available at one location in the U.S. on the web for $10.00
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 1998
MSRP: Back then: $3.95
Available at one location in the U.S. on the web for $10.00
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 power-plant 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). This was more than any other Allied naval aircraft. 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[100]
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)
Power-plant: 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 kn)
Stall speed: 84 mph (135 km/h, 73 kn)
Combat range: 945 mi (1,521 km, 821 nmi)
Ferry range: 1,530 mi (2,460 km, 1,330 nmi)
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 lb (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), 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 power-plant 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). This was more than any other Allied naval aircraft. 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[100]
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)
Power-plant: 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 kn)
Stall speed: 84 mph (135 km/h, 73 kn)
Combat range: 945 mi (1,521 km, 821 nmi)
Ferry range: 1,530 mi (2,460 km, 1,330 nmi)
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 lb (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), 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:
Obscureco Aircraft is an old company that does aircraft model accessory kits. They are based in San Jose, CA.
This kit comes in a 2” square, generic white box, that has a hinged lid with a locking tab on it. It has a sticker glued on it, that has a line drawing of the cowling, showing the motor. Obscuro’s street address and phone number are provided. Engine, crankcase and propeller are not included.
The box contains one part: the tan resin cowling. It is cushioned in clear bubble-wrap.
Obscureco Aircraft is an old company that does aircraft model accessory kits. They are based in San Jose, CA.
This kit comes in a 2” square, generic white box, that has a hinged lid with a locking tab on it. It has a sticker glued on it, that has a line drawing of the cowling, showing the motor. Obscuro’s street address and phone number are provided. Engine, crankcase and propeller are not included.
The box contains one part: the tan resin cowling. It is cushioned in clear bubble-wrap.
The instructions consist of a single-sheet, printed on one side, in 8 ½” x 11” format. Folded multiple times to fit the box.
It shows a side view of the Hasegawa kit, that the corrected cowling is for as a side view. It says: This cowling corrects the problems inherent in the Hasegawa kit’s cowling. This cowl provides the proper position for the thrust line and enlarges the lower cowl openings to the proper sizes.
It shows a side view of the Hasegawa kit, that the corrected cowling is for as a side view. It says: This cowling corrects the problems inherent in the Hasegawa kit’s cowling. This cowl provides the proper position for the thrust line and enlarges the lower cowl openings to the proper sizes.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Build the Hasegawa Hellcat. Switch the resin cowl for the kit cowl and go from there. The Hasegawa engine parts fit into the new cowling.
Note: This cowling includes positioning marks for the side bulges seen on early F6F-3s. For later F6F-3s and F6F-5s, carefully sand these marks off. Masking tape over surrounding detail will protect it during this process, proper respiratory protection (like a dust mask) will protect YOU during this process. Resin dust i harmful if inhaled. This product is not intended for use by children or childish adults.
Future Obscuro Products (Tentative): 1/72nd Scale
OBS72001 For Panther ejection seat (Hasegawa/Matchbox kits)
OBS72002 Jet Provost T.5/Strikemaster cockpit set (Airfix kit)
OBS72003 Late P-47D/P-37M tail fillet extension (Hasegawa/Academy kits)
OBS72004 Late P-51B/C tail fillet extension (Hasegawa kit) 1/48th scale:
OBS48002 Corrected F8F-2 Bearcat cowling (Hobbycraft kit)
Master by Mike Meek. Mold design and production by Bill Ferrante. Packaging design by Woody Sloneker. Instructions by Chris Bucholtz. 1998 Obscuro Aircraft.
The part has nice detail.
Recommended.
1. Build the Hasegawa Hellcat. Switch the resin cowl for the kit cowl and go from there. The Hasegawa engine parts fit into the new cowling.
Note: This cowling includes positioning marks for the side bulges seen on early F6F-3s. For later F6F-3s and F6F-5s, carefully sand these marks off. Masking tape over surrounding detail will protect it during this process, proper respiratory protection (like a dust mask) will protect YOU during this process. Resin dust i harmful if inhaled. This product is not intended for use by children or childish adults.
Future Obscuro Products (Tentative): 1/72nd Scale
OBS72001 For Panther ejection seat (Hasegawa/Matchbox kits)
OBS72002 Jet Provost T.5/Strikemaster cockpit set (Airfix kit)
OBS72003 Late P-47D/P-37M tail fillet extension (Hasegawa/Academy kits)
OBS72004 Late P-51B/C tail fillet extension (Hasegawa kit) 1/48th scale:
OBS48002 Corrected F8F-2 Bearcat cowling (Hobbycraft kit)
Master by Mike Meek. Mold design and production by Bill Ferrante. Packaging design by Woody Sloneker. Instructions by Chris Bucholtz. 1998 Obscuro Aircraft.
The part has nice detail.
Recommended.