Small Scale Military Headquarters

There are major problems with the upcoming Hobby Master 1:32 Hellcat . The plane is supposed to be Lt. CDR David McCampbell's F6F-5 "Minsi III", but instead is a hybrid with features of both the F6F-3 and F6F-5. To wit, it has the oval bulge on the side of the cowling over the exhaust stacks characteristic of the F6F-3, along with the F6F-3s small side windows behind the cockpit canopy (some early F6F-5s had these also, although not Minsi III). The windscreen is also that of the F6F-3. But it has the underwing rocket stubs, vertical radio mast, and paint scheme of an F6F-5. I am kicking myself because I noticed these problems in the prototype drawing Hobby Master released last summer, but failed to let them know about its inaccuracies. I have since informed William Liu about the problems with Minsi III. He says it's too late to change things on that plane now but subsequent Hellcat models will be corrected. I suspect the problems may have started when the modellers at Hobby Master found a picture of a current Warbird Hellcat painted as "Minsi III "on a Hellcat website. Unfortunately, that particular plane is an F6F-3! Sorry to be such a buzzkill!

And it is only close to $250, with the stand that is extra.

Given all the flaws, and price tag, think this one will sit on the shelves and dump.

That is terrible for the price. I'm going to build my first 1:32 US plane and it's going to be the Hell cat. Still searching for a good deal on internet.

I can't believe the price difference between scales..... crazy.

HELLCAT kits are EASY to find!

Also, if you're in no hurry you can find kits at a super price. I picked up a Trumpeter F6F-5N kit for $25 last year; normally they are north of $65.

[CAT]CplSlade wrote:Also, if you're in no hurry you can find kits at a super price. I picked up a Trumpeter F6F-5N kit for $25 last year; normally they are north of $65.

That's awesome price for the hell cat kit from Trumpeter. I'm in no rush and will take my time to get it for a good price. How does this kit from Trumpeter compare to the Hasegawa (spelling ?) kit ?

I've not seen the Hasegawa in person, but reviews suggest the Trumpeter has better detail and engineering and seeing as how the Hasegawa kit is a lot older I'd buy that assessment.

Haven't put mine together yet but it does look good on the sprues.