Elite Forces 1/18 F6F Hellcat Part 12 - The Lower Exhaust Stacks

By Rodney Williams

No kidding, it´s back to the center wing section as I overlooked a vital segment which is the lower exhaust system. Several drawings and real photos show that the lower exhaust ports were much different between the F6F-3 and the (-5) aircraft.

The kit was designed with the proper ports for the F6F-5. However as you well know, I´m converting this kit to a (-3).

I drew some patterns on paper and placed them on the model and they fit OK. I placed the paper pattern onto some .030" thick sheet styrene and cut them out then glued the parts in place. They were trimmed to the contour of the fuselage then I sanded them smooth. I guessed at the next operation and cut out some of the glued in stock so that I could fit in the 2 pre-made angle plates. These plates will hold my new exhaust stacks on both sides.

I measured the diameter of the 6 factory installed exhaust stacks (3 per side) and found some copper tubing of mine that was the same diameter of 1/8 inch. I cut 4 stacks about 1/4" long and placed a small strip of .010" thick flat styrene in between each two stacks and put some super glue on them. This method held the two tubes together with a bit of spacing in between. I got out some .005" aluminum and made a couple of 1/8" wide strips then wrapped them around the tubes real tight and added some micro-dots of super glue. Later on I thinned to scale the insides of the tubes with a #11 knife blade.

Look close and you will see that I added some .040"x.040" bar stock to the 90 degree sides of the angle plates. After I sanded this area with my round files it gave me a curved finish which is just like on the real Hellcat. The top outer part of the opening is also sanded on a curve. It´s done and it passed my inspection.

There is more to come.

Elite Forces 1/18 F6F Hellcat Part 12 - The Lower Exhaust Stacks

By Rodney Williams

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