www.wmmodels.nl - F6F building

Building the F6F Hellcat

Here you can follow the build of a new F6F Hellcat.

This can also be used for the other models because the building technics will be almost the same for all models.

Step 1.

Each part of the fuselage exists of two seperate parts melted together during production.
First split all parts so you have 6 fuselage parts.

Step 2.

Glue the nose, mid and tail section parts together.
Make sure this is done in a straight line.

Step 3.

Now glue the fuse parts together.
Make sure the whole body is in a straight line.

Step 4.

Use sandpaper to shape the fuselage.
Make sure it's smooth and rounded.

Step 5.

Cut out the canopy and remove the foam to create a cockpit floor.
Test fit the canopy

Step 6.

Now it's time to build the engine firewall.
From the nose of the fuselage cut of 85mm (8,5cm)
This is the space required to fix the engine with engine mount.

Step 7.

Check you engine and engine mount how much space you need to cut off.
Adjust the 85mm if you need more ore less space for the engine.

Step 8.

Make the firewall from 4mm ply.
Use the body as template.
Copy the centre marks from the drawing.

Step 9.

Now it's time to decide how to mount the engine on the fuse.
First mount the engine to the engine mount.
If the engine is mounted 90 degrees to the left the exhaust fits nice in the body.
You can use any mounting method you like.

Step 10.

When you are pleased with your engine setup make holes for gas cable and the fuel lines.
Glue the firewall to the fuselage.

Step 11.

To rebuild the engine cowl it's best to cut the two halves of the nose open again.
Remount the engine.

Step 12.

Remove the muffler and other loose parts of the engine
Build the cowl around the engine removing all foam that's in the way.
Glue the nose together.

Step 13.

Now make room for the muffler and needle.
When it all fits well remove the engine.
Glue the cowl on the firewall.
In my case I can fit and remove the engine through the nose of the plane.

Step 14.

Now the belly must be removed from the fuse.
Draw a line at the front of the wing and the back of the wing on the bottom of the fuselage.

Step 15.

Now use a knife or saw to remove the belly.
Don't throw this away!! This must be used under the wing when ready.

Step 16.

Now remove 4mm more from the front of the fuse to add wood for the front wing mount.
Make this from 4mm ply.

Step 17.

Glue the ply front wing mount in place

Step 18.

Split the wings at the bend.
Sand the wing cores slightly before covering with 1,5 mm balsa.

Step 19.

On the thickest part of the wing draw two lines approx. 5mm apart and 5mm deep.
This must be removed for the servo wiring

Step 20.

In this example the aileron linkage will be on top of the wing.
Determine the place for the servo at the thickest part of the wing.
Make a hole that's big enough for mounting the servo later on.

Step 21.

Place the servo cable in place before covering with balsa.

Step 22.

Make the balsa sheeting.
You need four peaces each.

Step 23.

Glue the sheeting on the wingcores.
And let it dry in pressure in there skins.

Step 24.

After drying sand the edges and glue on the leading edges to all four peaces.

Step 25.

Use the plan to mark the aileron on the wing.

Step 26.

Use a sharp knive to cut out the aileron.
Do this for both wingtips.

Step 27.

Glue the two middle wing parts together.
Don't forget to have the servo wiring in place.
Let them dry under pressure in the shelves.

The next steps pictures should be on my computer somewhere ..........

Home

Information

Canopies

Wing Cores