1:72 F6F Hellcat Exhaust from Quickboost
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 22 May 2012 00:00 James Hatch
1:72 F6F Hellcat Exhaust
Aires Quickboost
Catalogue # QB 72 362
Available from Hannants for £2.50
The Dragon Models 1:72 F6F, all variants, are probably some of the nicest renditions of this aircraft in 1:72 scale, and certainly one that no self-respecting US Navy modeller can ignore. This set is designed to be used with any of the DML F6F Hellcat model kits, in this scale, and is a direct part replacement for the kit part.
Packaged into the familiar orange and white Quickboost sleeve, this set comprises a single part only, with protruding and hollow exhaust stubs. The exhaust tube array, as the kit part, is a part of the engine back-plate/firewall assembly, and contains a locating area for the engines reduction gear.
Cast in medium grey resin, this single part doesn't have the traditional casting block that needs to be simply cut free. Instead, this part has an area at the front end of the firewall plate that needs to be carefully ground away on some medium - fine grade abrasive paper. You will have to be extremely careful at this juncture, as the protruding exhaust pipes are quite vulnerable. I suggest you take things very carefully and very slowly in this respect. This is the only downside to what is an excellent upgrade.
Casting is superb and without any flaw. There are thin flash webs which need to be removed from the rear face of the exhaust tubes. These are there by design, so no need to be alarmed. The exhaust apertures are crisp, thin and hollow, as stated, and the part definition overall is superb.
So what do we think?
One of the trickier sets in which to clean up, primarily due to scale, but certainly no less worthy of consideration. This is a neat and very inexpensive upgrade and definitely one worthy of your consideration.
Highly recommended
Our sincere thanks to Aires for the review sample used here. To purchase this directly, click THIS link.
James H.
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