Author Topic: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas  (Read 35641 times)

Offline sequoiaranger

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Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« on: February 09, 2012, 01:07:32 AM »
Here is the "pre-Hellcat", the high-performance follow-on to the Grumman Duck (Grumman Gander) that the US Navy decided to make into a Wildcat successor by deleting the pedastal float and extra crew. Camo is inspired by M.C. Escher's "Day and Night" (right side is opposite colors--blue "birds",and worms, on gray background):

« Last Edit: February 09, 2012, 01:10:51 AM by sequoiaranger »
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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2012, 02:33:42 AM »
What if the pacific war went longer...or missiles entered the USN inventory earlier:



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Offline kitnut617

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2012, 04:07:07 AM »
Now that looks interesting Greg, because these below look just like them.  These can be found in any Hawk Gloster Javelin kit

Offline Daryl J.

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2012, 05:34:55 AM »
...and I was gonna holler "Photoshop!" until I saw pix #2 and #3 downloading....     :o

Amazing.    We get better JMN stuff on sites like these sometimes.


kwyxdxLg5T

Offline kitnut617

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2012, 06:33:02 AM »
So what are they Greg, I can't find anything about it on the net

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2012, 07:23:03 AM »
It should be the AAM-N-2 Sparrow I air to air missile.  During testing and development it was carried by a variety of unusual aircraft including the Hellcat.  Another image of that missile is available at this link from Wikipedia: AAM-N-2 Sparrow I (AIM-7A) Air to Air Missile, though the aircraft in the image at that link is the F3D (F-10) Skynight. 

Andreas Parsch has some additional information at this link from his Designation Systems web page: Raytheon AAM-N-2,3,6/AIM-101/AIM-7/RIM-7 Sparrow
« Last Edit: March 26, 2012, 08:27:26 AM by Jeffry Fontaine »
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Offline elmayerle

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2012, 08:31:10 AM »
Going by the forward fin shape, definitely a development article for the Sparrow One.  I'd thought they might be Martin Orioles but the fin shape is wrong.  The article linked in the Falcon thread covers a lot of early US effort on AAMs.

Offline kitnut617

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2012, 09:51:37 AM »
I know this is going a tad off-topic, but was the Javelin envisioned to be armed with the Sparrow I ? The Hawk Javelin kit has three under each wing and the version that the kit depicts is actually one of the prototypes, not the Mk.I as it says on the box.

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2012, 06:46:53 AM »
Hellcat bashed W/ Corsair?

Hellcat bashed with Spitfire (is this blasphemy to even bring up??)

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2012, 04:23:28 PM »
Hellcat bashed W/ Corsair?

Hellcat bashed with Spitfire (is this blasphemy to even bring up??)

Take a lot more then that to be blasphemous around here.
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Offline sequoiaranger

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Blasphemy??
« Reply #10 on: March 26, 2012, 10:37:26 PM »
Being called "Blasphemous" by JMN's is our *GOAL* here in whif-land!!  ;D
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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #11 on: June 09, 2012, 03:48:38 AM »
Random play:

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #12 on: June 09, 2012, 03:50:17 AM »
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #13 on: June 09, 2012, 03:50:51 AM »
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #14 on: June 09, 2012, 05:19:56 AM »
Almost forgot this infamous one:

All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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Offline ysi_maniac

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #15 on: January 03, 2014, 11:50:53 PM »
Sleek Hellcat



Tricycle and longer Hellcat


Offline Volkodav

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #16 on: May 01, 2014, 11:11:05 PM »
Primary fighter of the RAN FAA from 1945 until 1956, operating primarily from the RANs two Implacable class Armoured Fleet Carriers but also from the Light Fleet Carriers at times.  The aircraft were among substantial numbers of brand new USN and BPF aircraft prepositioned in Australia during 1944/45, surplus to needs post war and uneconomical to return to the US, that were gifted to Australia and New Zealand. The Hellcat (along with the Avenger) was selected for service over the Bearcat due to being available in far greater numbers therefore able to be maintained more affordably using spares cannibalised from unused airframes and engines and over the Corsair as it fit in the 14' hanger decks of the two fleet carriers.

A single squadron of Bearcats was maintained for dissimilar combat, advanced training and fleet support roles at HMAS Albatross from 1945.  Another two squadrons were formed in 1950 for service in Korea serving along side the Hellcats and Avengers on board the Fleet Carriers during that conflict.  Due to lack of spares the two combat squadrons were stood down in 1954.

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #17 on: May 02, 2014, 02:44:13 AM »
So, something like these…(From Southern Sea Eagles):



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Offline Old Wombat

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #18 on: May 02, 2014, 03:21:53 AM »
Got a 1/48 Hellcat in the stash, was one of the 1st purchases with the RAM in mind.

I like the 2nd of Mav's profiles, I may use that as inspiration for its scheme. :D
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Offline Volkodav

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #19 on: May 02, 2014, 05:19:39 AM »
I was thinking for an excuse to do a Hellcat and a Bearcat in a post war FAA Extra Dark Sea Gray over Sky scheme for Korea or after.  I have a decal sheet for multiple Sea Furies I thought I could use.

Online The Big Gimper

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #20 on: May 02, 2014, 06:06:30 AM »
Though no photographs exist, only drawings, the F6F and F8F were also used by the RCN:



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Offline finsrin

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #21 on: May 02, 2014, 02:10:55 PM »
Tricycle and longer Hellcat - much interesting :)

Hellcat-Bearcat under wing or wing tip Sidewinder - hmmm

Offline Volkodav

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #22 on: May 03, 2014, 08:21:03 PM »
Actually now you mention it that could be a mod used to keep older axil deck carriers effective for longer although would a Hellcat / Bearcat struggle keeping a modern jet in view long enough to get tone?

Offline Volkodav

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #23 on: May 13, 2014, 12:52:55 AM »
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.

Offline Cliffy B

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Re: Grumman Wildcat/Hellcat/Bearcat Ideas
« Reply #24 on: May 13, 2014, 03:25:57 AM »
RoG (Revell-Germany) does a 1/72 F8F but IIRC its an old re-pop but still good and the only one available.
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