Category number: 7078
Price: £23.00 (Mar 2012)
Review by: Tom Barták
A Box full of Kits
Eduard‘s latest addition to their 1:72nd Hellcat range are FAA’s Mk.I/Mk.II versions packed in the popular Dual Combo! edition.
Eduard previously released its Hellcat in four other kits:
- Cat. no. 7076 – F6F-3 Hellcat ProfiPACK Edition
- Cat. no. 7414 – F6F-3 Hellcat Weekend Edition
- Cat. no. 7077 – F6F-5 Hellcat ProfiPACK Edition
- Cat. no. 7415 – F6F-5 Hellcat Weekend Edition
The Hellcat in FAA marking was expected by many modellers after Eduard released the original F6F version. In fact, as FAA’s Mk.I corresponds to an F6F-3 while Mk.II is F6F-5 and, because any manufacturer wants to take full advantage of his products, it was only a matter of time.
The parts are moulded in Eduard‘s traditional creamy-coloured plastic and, at first sight, they look absolutely amazing. All parts are clean, with sharp details.
If you take a very close look, you can barely notice the mould seam join line, especially on some small parts (like undercarriage legs and so on where it is often noticeable on any kit).
It’s worth mentioning that Eduard have made good progress in its moulding technology in the last few years and, on this particular kit, you can get rid of this line simply by a single gentle touch of a sharp blade.
The quality of the parts is comparable with Tamiya‘s 1:72nd kits. Frankly, I’m curious what the new 1:72nd Tamiya Zero will look like and if it can be better than this Eduard kit.
There is not much to say about clear parts. They are superbly clear and Eduard provides us with two different parts for the main canopy – one for closed and the other for an open cockpit.
Photo etched parts, Canopy Masks
This kit comes with two photo etched frets. One contains parts for cockpit details (seatbelts, instrument panels), the other will help you to add an extra level of detail to the engine and armament.
The fact that the kit contains PE parts doesn’t mean you have to use them. The plastic parts are very detailed and Eduard even give you the choice of two different plastic instrument panels – one has nicely moulded details on it (this one is meant to be used without PE) and the other is flat (so you can easily glue PE parts on it without the need for removing the relief first).
Eduard also released additional PE sets for their Hellcats, so if you want to you can add even more details to your Hellcat. These sets contain some exterior parts e.g. gun bays.
Pre-cut masks made from Kabuki (aka Tamiya tape) are also included in this kit, which I highly appreciate; anyone who ever tried this product knows that it is a real time saver.
Instructions
The Eduard instructions are of a high standard. They clearly show differences among alternate parts for either Mk.I or Mk.II Hellcat. Marking schemes are full colour.
Decals
Eduard recently introduced its own technology for printing decals. I think that the F6F-3 Hellcat was actually the first kit which contained decals printed by this technology.
All the colours are in register, details are sharp without any raster, but there seem to be some kind of issue with the top clear coat.
At some places it looks slightly damaged, which reveals little lighter spots. These are especially visible on large insignias. If this problem is caused only by some scratches on the top coat, then the dots should disappear the moment you apply your coat of clear varnish after painting.
Marking Options
The kit offers six marking options:
- Hellcat Mk.I JV132, Lt. Blythe Ritchie, 800 Sqn FAA, HMS Emperor, May 8, 1944 – Sky under surfaces with gray/olive drab top camouflage; European theatre of operations
- Hellcat Mk.I JV131, 800 Sqn FAA, HMS Emperor, June, 1944 – Sky under surfaces with grey/olive drab top camouflage and D-Day stripes; European theatre of operations
- Hellcat Mk.I FN430, 1844 Sqn FAA, P/O Hannay, HMS Indomitable, August 24, 1944 – Sky under surfaces with grey/olive drab top camouflage
- Hellcat Mk.II JX814, 1844 Sqn FAA, Sub-Lieutenant W. M. C. Foster, HMS Indomitable, Okinawa, April 12, 1945 – Sky under surfaces with grey/olive drab top camouflage
- Hellcat Mk.II JZ796, 808 Sqn FAA, Sub-Lieutenant Oscar Lorenzo, HMS Khedive and HMS Trincomalee, Ceylon, 1945 – Navy blue overall
- Hellcat Mk.II JZ935, 1839 Sqn FAA, HMS Indomitable, Sub-Lieutenant T. B. Speak, April 5th, 1945 – Navy blue overall.
I think these marking options have been carefully chosen, providing items that allow you to make only one Mk.I and one Mk.II (i.e. it is not possible to build two Mk.II or two Mk.I aircraft).
Conclusion
Many reviewers tend to compare Eduard‘s Hellcat with the new Cyber-Hobby Hellcat released a bit earlier. From my point of view, their comparison is incomparable.
Sure, both kits are a Hellcat; but that’s the only thing they have in common. Cyber-Hobby’s kit is highly detailed with an engine and folding wings. Rumours on the other hand say that, because it is highly detailed (i.e. has a lot of parts), its fit is nothing special.
Rumours about Eduard‘s kit say that the build is a piece of cake. There is a good build of the Eduard kit by Geoff in Finished Now.
There is one last parameter you can compare – the price. Cyber-Hobby‘s one Hellcat costs about £30.00. Two kits in Eduard‘s Dual Combo cost about 23 GBP.
Still in doubts which one to choose? I’ve already made my choice!
| FEATURE | STAR RATING (out of five) |
|---|---|
| Quality of moulding | ***** |
| Accuracy | ***** |
| Instructions | ***** |
| Decals | **** |
| Subject choice | **** |
| Overall | **** & a half! |
Tom B.