SPA Modeler

I was asked to to another build review for my IPMS club, and I was given Eduard's little Nightfighter as the topic. Its the weekend edition, so no fancy resin or PE, just plastic right out of the box.

Since I havent been able to get any building done for, like, three months, I figured this will be an easy transition back into things!

Its a "weekend" edition, so lets see what I can accomplish in that time, eh??

reference pics...

Nice! Lemee guess which one ya gonna do. The one upside down...

I have read very favourable reviews of the Eduard Hellcat. I expect that your build will go just as well.

BlackSheep214 wrote:Nice! Lemee guess which one ya gonna do. The one upside down...

all it wanted was a belly rub!

the cockpit was a breeze to put together. Eduard gives you the option of plastic or decals for the IP, but I went with a combination of both, since I like how that looks. This is the Weekend version, so no PE belts were included; a modeler has to make do with the flat decals instead. Still, in a closed cockpit they will look the part!

I base-coated all the cockpit parts with dark green, then mixed it with yellow-zinc chromate for dry-brushing. Details were picked out with the appropriate colors, then a coat a future sealed things for the wash. I went back after the final flat coat and dropped some little dots of Future on the IP faces to give an illusion of glass.

...shaky hands meant none of my detail work was properly documented, but you can see it all tucked away nicely here:



once the cockpit was installed, I sealed the two fuselage halves together; they matched beautifully. Eduard devised a rather ingenious way to attach the wings: there is a deep recess in the fuselage halves taht the wing assemby slots into. The fit was perfect!! Some simple MEK (Tamiya-Thin substitute) sealed everything together with absolutely no gaps. The depth of the recesses also ensured you will get the correct dihedral on the wings!

Eduard also inclued a little beauty of an engine; I'd imagine the PE detail would only make this spectacular. Both rows of pistons were sharply cast, but care needed to be taken when removing them from the sprues. To ensure the quality detail, Eduard had some crazy attachments!





I basecoated the engine in black, then drybrused with darkened steel. A future-coat ensured the wash flowed easily, and then I re-drybrushed the highlights with chrome silver. The result is a wonderfull little engine!



Then, it was off to bed with me

Great work so far Owl - It's great to see you back. That looks like a cracking little kit.

Regards

Stuart

portman wrote:Great work so far Owl - It's great to see you back. That looks like a cracking little kit.

Regards

Stuart

thanks portman, Im having some fun!

so maybe I didnt get 'er done in a weekend, but for those modelers less distractible than I, its certainly a possibility! The cockpit builds up quickly and there are no complex interior assemblies to worry about.

There were no issues with construction. Just some minor seam work (and a glue thumbprint!) to clean up and she's ready for paint! Primer coat first, then its off to work some magic with the air brusy doo-dad.

Looking good Owl!

Eduards Hellcat is on of my absolute favorites, both in 1/72 and 1/48 scale, so well engineerd kit !

- Kari