Lindberg 1/72 scale F6F-5 Hellcat, circa 1971

Time will not allow me an opportunity to build some of my memories, so I’ll share the memory instead of the model.

This kit was one of a handful of Lindberg kits I tried when I was a pre-teen because they were quite inexpensive, simple builds. I could buy the kit AND a jar of Pactra ‘namel paint AND have some pennies left for some candy.  Those were the days.  The kit was built that Saturday afternoon, mom always stopped by Ben Franklin’s five and dime on the way to the grocery store and I would have something to read (instructions) while she was inside buying groceries.  That allowed me to have the added responsibility of watching my siblings, all younger than I, and be ready to dive into the kit when we got home.

The kit was overall blue, which was the scheme, save for a number decal and the national markings.  I had a reference (no idea which one) that showed a picture of a Hellcat from VBF-12 on USS RANDOLPH (CV-15) with the distinctive white horizontal stripes.  So my paint that week was white.

I did attempt to mask, and remember taking some thinner and washing and scrubbing all the paint off because it looked horrid.  Then just hand painting it “close”.  Which of course I thought was perfect at the time.

Wheel wells and interior of the landing gear doors were painted “candy apple green” which as a kid I never knew was an olive green the shade of Granny Smith apples, because, in Arkansas, candy apples were made with the local red apples!  Bright green they were.

Landing gear was painted silver.  Wheels were silver and tires black.  Rockets were white and the prop was black with yellow tips.  If the paint didn’t cover, then it went on thicker.  I never actually thinned the paint.  This was a masterpiece!

I went to bed that night with lots of hopes for the ‘morrow, and yes the fumes were a bit strong so I opened the window while the paint dried/cured.  Next day the paint was dry (ish) and while not fully cured it was good enough for playtime.  

This model quickly made it to my “display”, hung from the ceiling over my bed.  It was my second USN aircraft in 1/72, the first being a Wildcat that did not survive a week after I finished it a few summers earlier.  It was hung behind my Zero since in my limited knowledge, all Hellcats were in the Pacific.

Occasionally I see one of these kits on the vendor tables at shows, but given how poor the kit is by today’s standards, I know I would not ever build it.  I will however build a more modern Hellcat in VBF-12 markings.