I have actually physically started my Hellcat!
I was going to tryout the airbrush on it but think I may stick with the brush for the time being just to try and get it finished. Still toying with the back story but it is an ex-lend lease F6F-5 in service with the RAN FAA flying from a RAN Implacable class armoured fleet carrier over Korea in 1950-1. When did Roo Roundels come in? Do I need to make it 1952-3?
Saw a 1/72 Eduard Hellcat in the local hobby shop, is that a better kit than the Italeri one? Tempted to do a second one RAN FAA Hellcat anyway, an all Oxford Blue one.
Does anyone do a decent Bearcat in 1/72? Would like to have a Bearcat along side my Hellcat and Sea Fury as well as a Firefly and an Avenger, maybe.
Rough story, war starts, RAN goes with what they have which is Hellcats and Avengers on HMAS Indefatigable. Bearcat squadron is worked up by time of second deployment, HMAS Implacable, and supplements Hellcats allowing them to concentrate on CAS along with Fireflies obtained to beef up strike capability. Third deployment is HMAS Sydney operating Sea Furies and Fireflies. RAN has six carriers, two armoured fleet carriers replacing the County class heavy cruisers, two Majestic and two Colossus replacing the four pre war light cruisers. Each carrier is planned to be escorted by a new RN type Cruiser/Destroyer and a pair of fleet destroyers / fast frigates however existing cruisers, destroyers, the battle cruiser HMAS Renown and the battleship HMAS Duke of York are being used and upgraded in the interim. The RAN has basically been gifted the equivalent of two fleet units by the RN to be an integral part of the British Pacific Fleet and to remain the prime bastion of the Empire in SEA and the Pacific post war. It is unsustainable but maintained through extensive use of reserves and assistance from NZ with additional trained manpower. Most of the fleet is expected to be maintained in reserve with the exception of the carriers and destroyers but is reactivated with the onset of Korea and in expectation of a larger conflict with the USSR.