1/144 Platz F6F-3 Hellcat

Review by Steve Bamford on Feb 2 2009

--------------------

 

I must confess I have a love of 1/144 kits.  I guess it's the small size and the challenge and fun that comes with smaller scale kits.  Platz has taken the 1/144 scale kit to a very delicate looking and well detailed level.  All panel lines are fine and recessed.  The canopy and windshield are a one piece affair, so if you want to pose this model with an open canopy you have 2 choices.  Use an Xacto knife and carefully cut the windscreen apart from the rest of the canopy.......or just cut grind/sand/file away the unwanted parts from the 2 canopies included in this kit.  Yes you actually get 2 kits in this one box......so if you are willing to sacrifice the second kit to have an open canopy on your model, then this is an option.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

Cockpit detail is actually pretty good.  There is a separate seat that looks accurate and a separate instrument panel.  Sadly the instrument panel doesn't have a decal and there's no side wall detail, so I'm starting to think Platz intended you to have a closed canopy.  Super micro detailers could have fun doing up this cockpit if they were crazy enough to try.  The wheels have detail that would be respectable for 1/48 scale and tires have tread.  The wheel wells even have ribbing on the underside of the top wing.

There is a bomb and a centerline fuel tank that also comes with each kit.  The engine cowl ring is very finely crafted and the prop blade is thin and looks correct.  You also get an engine which will come to life with a bit of paint and dry brushing.  The tail wheel and support have to be seen to be believed......someone put plenty of effort into detailing this part and of course the main landing gear look very good as well.

The decals include 3 USN Hellcats from 1943 - 1944.

  • F6F-3 VF-27 at Maui aboard the USS Princeton in 1944 with a Sharks mouth and blood shot eyes

  • F6F-3 VF-9 aboard the USS Essex in 1944

  • F6F-3 VF-4 in 1943

The decals are excellent quality and in register and include stencils including prop decals for 3 aircraft.  All parts are packed in separate bags to protect the smaller more delicate parts.

1/144 models are a blast to build out of the box and I guarantee you will enjoy building in this tiny scale and if you are crazy enough to try.......I've seen some stunning detailing in 1/144 scale.

Steve

Check out http://www.platz-hobby.com/ for this and other fine products.  I'd like to thank Platz for the review sample......this kit is made in Japan and the high quality is evident throughout this tiny model kit.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford