SPA Modeler

BIG HOG is nearly done. I have a 1:48 opening and I’m not ready to tackle the beautiful FW Ta yet. I’ll tell you what I am ready for- some more Allied Air Superiority in the South Pacific. I’ve had this kit, and the resin Pratt & Whitney to go with it, for almost a year. They’ve been collecting dust. I’m setting up a Tiki X WWII South Pacific space in my office and I figure the Hellcat will go nicely with my soon-to-be completed 1:48 Corsair. And running this concurrently with my 1:32 Zeke (more on that later) should be fine.

This project will actually help me with my 1:32 Zeke. There’s a progression happening...

With my failed Birdcage, I beat the crap out of that airplane weathering-wise.

With my successful 1:48 Zeke, I beat it up but God bless it, it didn’t look “abused”. I got it just right.

With BIG HOG I went for that same “used but not abused” look, but dialed-back a little bit. I wanted the weathering to be noticed but not seen in the sense that I didn’t want any one element or effect to stand out. I feel like I came close and am happy with it.



The Hellcat and 1:32 Zeke are different, carrier-based fighters. Well-maintained, the Zeke will be almost pristine. This Hellcat will not be pristine, but it’ll be very well-maintained. I’m looking for subtlety in weathering here. Scuffs as opposed to chipping, slight lightening or minute fading in certain panels. Things like that. Think of it as being an intermediary between “pristine” and “used but not abused.”

I got started on the cockpit today:



And the engine kit:



I was listening to this while painting:

Great follow-up to the Zero and Corsair! I can vouch for the Eduard kit... it's very nice.

One of my favorites!

Thank you, gentlemen! I figure while I’m laid-up with this badly-contused foot, I’ve got the time.

Sheesh. I haven’t run or biked or lifted weights or been to Jiu Hitsu class in over a week now. But the modeling is in full-swing and rocking steady so I figure I’ll just roll with it.

Always a plan! Have you been to the doctor, young man? Well?


Oh, and what a coincidence! I’ve not done those things, either.

Yes sir! Got x-rays and everything! No fractures, thank goodness. But I have to stay off it for four weeks. 600mg. Advil very six hours and ice as needed. And elevation as much as possible.

HELL YES!!!!!!

Good to hear it isn’t broken!

You sold me on the idea, Mr. Medic Man!

Lyle, thank you! And I was relieved to hear the news when the Doc looked at my x-ray!

Meanwhile, my wife won’t let me do ANYTHJNG here at home. Normally I do all the cooking. NOPE! No dishes. No cleaning the kitchen. No nothing. She makes sure I’m on the couch, foot elevated, and well taken care of when she’s home. I’m in high cotton over here fellas! She’s awesome!

She is a keeper!