BMF F-6F Hellcat

[John Howling Mouse]

For all I know, this may have been a scheme for Hellcats during WW2.  But, here goes...

This is the 1:48 Otaki (Later Arii) kit.  Phenomenal: simple, robust, finely detailed (might even be accurate?).  Assembly went together without a hitch---these old kits were way ahead of their time.

Primered everything up with Krylon spraycan white sandable primer and masked off everything that was to remain white. 






Here, you can see the walkways painted and lightly textured (as the flat paint dries, I stiple it with a stiff brush).

[John Howling Mouse]

After the Polly-Scale D&H Avon Blue was airbrushed on and the masks removed, I had some nice invasion stripes.

[John Howling Mouse]

Then, the real fun begins.  Using my patented "Foolproof BMF" process, the re-masked model is sprayed overall with Tamiya's Light Gun Metal lacquer from the can.  This provides a suitably deep metallic base for subsequent panel separation painting.





The initial Light Gun Metal coat is masked off with various bits and pieces of Tamiya tape:





And the masked model is re-sprayed with very light coats of Tamiya Silver Leaf (spraycan lacquer).  At this point, I'm trying to approximate a shade of silver that will
look good  next to the Light Gun Metal panels which have been masked off.  Not too much nor too little contrast.



Here's what it looks like once I pull of the masks.  The contrast is purposely a bit too pronounced.  Keep watching.





The magic happens when I overspray everything with Tamiya's Transparent Silver.  Literally, a clear coat with metallic silver speckles.  This is the "foolproof" part.  You can spray
without fear of washing out the contrast.  After about three light coats, I've achieved the subtle yet still noticeable contrast b/w the various panels.  My favorite thing about this technique is how effortless it is.  If I can do it, and get these results, anyone can.  It is a very forgiving technique.  The truly enjoyable feature is how the various panels pop out, then disappear, as you walk around the model.

[John Howling Mouse]

Here is the finished bird, somewhere in the Pacific in 1946 (in my Whifstory, the first atomic bombs were dismal failures and the war in the Pacific raged on).

I printed my own decals to go with some Monogram standard US markings.  The "Chilly" nickname is mine but the nose-art was some clip-art polar bear.  Because I printed my decals on clear film, I had to go back and paint in the white on the polar bear markings by hand with a 000 brush.  Yeah, I could have simply back-painted the white on first for the outline of the figure but how much of an absurd challenge would that have been?

This pilot, "Polair" Paul Laird, will be showing up with a similar inspired scheme on other aircraft, including a DC-3 I'm presently working on for the "Let It Snow" Group-Build.  Following the Korean War, in which Paul Laird flew an F-86 with the same markings as this Hellcat, he founded a small but profitable northern air charter/cargo airline based in his hometown of Anchorage, Alaska.

Sit back, grab a coffee, and check out the walk-around tour of the completed BMF Hellcat.  I hope you like it as much as I've enjoyed sharing it with you.

[Taiidantomcat]

Instant classic! Love the BMF The markings, the back story, even the nose art is great! And I believe it could fool a JMN 

[Weaver]

That is simply gorgeous! 

[Ed S]

BEAUTIFUL!       

Great model and the tutorial on BMF was most appreciated.  I noticed the dirty footprints on the wing walkways:  brilliant details.

Ed

[Tophe]

Thanks for the detailed explanation of the process, so complicated this deserves many clapping hands

[tanktastic43]

Beauty! 'nuff said. 

tt43.

[Brian da Basher]

Absolutely drop-dead gorgeous, Mr Howling Mouse! I love the look of that Authentic Alberta BMF! Sharing your magic tricks on how you achieved it is an added bonus!

I'm going to go back and look at this beauty just to drool some more!
 
Brian da Basher

[proditor]

We so need the jaw drop smilie for that one.  Simply beautiful, and very much appreciated on the NMF tutorial.  I've been living in fear of several of my kits for that exact reason.  Many, many thanks. 

[Scooterman]

you suck

[Sentinel Chicken]

Wow. Just wow. That looks so much like it could have been. Or was. Or should have been. Something along those lines.....

[Army of One]

Awesome.....just awesome.....spanking tutorial.....love your method of stippling on the walkway.......and the footprints......I will not take up the needles just yet......I will keep trying!!!! I must...6'05 n over 18st rugby player.....I simply won't knit!!!!

[NARSES2]

My gob is well and truely smacked