Aerocraft Models | Hellcat F6F-5N Night Fighter Conversion with Decals for Black Death
Reviewed by Andrew Birnie
A notable omission from the decal options provided with the Airfix Hellcat was the lack of a US Marine Corps aircraft, righting that wrong comes this neat conversion, with appropriate decals, to model the mount of Major R. Bruce Porter, a rather colourful character, from when he was commanding VMF(N)-542, based at Yontan airfield on Okinawa in May 1945. He also co-wrote the book ACE! A Marine Night-Fighter Pilot in World War II, with Eric Hammel.
The small decal sheet provides all the necessary specific markings for Porters' aircraft, including kill markings, Black Death legend, and a picture of a bottle of Schenley's bourbon whiskey!
Also included are two extended gun barrels for those closest to the fuselage, they are hollow at the ends, though some might with to drill a little deeper.
The starboard wing-mounted radome is well designed in three parts, with just one notable casting block requiring removal, the other two should fit inside the central ring with little or no work.
This is a great set, allowing you to model the aircraft of a notable US Marine Corps Night Fighter Ace, Semper Fi.
Set kindly supplied by Ali at Aerocraft Models.
© Andrew Birnie 2020
This review was published on Saturday, February 22 2020; Last modified on Saturday, February 22 2020