Rufus wrote:
> Enzo Matrix wrote:
>> I'm just about to finish an Eduard 1/48 F6F-3 Hellcat. The model is
>> built pretty much out of the box, but I have dropped the flaps -
>> something which is very easy to do on this kit.
>>
>> The kit decals provide a scheme for BuNo 66016 with red outline
>> insignia when with VF-16 in 1943 and also Lt Alexander Vraciu's
>> machine when he was with VF-6. However, it seems that during the
>> Battle of the Phillipine Sea, Vraciu was serving with VF-16 and
>> 66016 was his machine at the time. It is possible to use the kit
>> decals to depict the aircraft at this stage in its history, whch is
>> what I have done. The control surfaces on this kit are seperate from
the
>> airframe, so
>> it would be possible to depict them deflected. However, I have read
>> that the F6F had spring loaded control surfaces that were held in
>> place when the aircraft was parked.
>>
>> My question is, how effective was this spring loading? Given that
>> in June 1944, 66016 had been in service for over a year, most of
>> which had been spent being worked hard in a combat environment, is
>> it possible that the spring loading wasn't quite as effective as
>> once it had been? I'm not saying that I should show the control
>> surfaces severley drooped, but I wonder if showing the elevators
>> deflected maybe five degrees or so would be valid.
>>
>> Any ideas?
>>
>
> ...actually, it depends on a bit more than that. If the surfaces were
> spring-compensated, it was probably to offset airloading in addition
> to the the anti-servo tab and manage stick forces - so they probably
> wouldn't have held the full weight of the surface.
>
> Secondly, was the elevator driven by mechanical linkage, or hydraulic
> power? That could make a difference.
>
> Thirdly...a simple Google image search located a number of pictures of
> Hellcats with elevators pointing trailing edge skyward when parked -
> indicating to me that they were parked in some sort of gust-locked
> condition...even if it was as simple as to hold the stick aft with the
> belt/harness strap. Common practice with light planes even today.
>
> Bottom line - find a picture you like, and go that way.
Thanks, Rufus. That *is* , of course, the sensible option! And thanks
for
the interesting comment on the spring compensation.
I did a Google image search and, like you, found a surprising number of
F6Fs
with elevators deflected upwards. If they were held in that position by
the
seat harness, that really isn't an option for me as the harness on my
model
is already set in position. However, it is something to think about for
future models.
I have managed to find a picture of a parked F6F with the elevators in
exactly the positions that I wanted. As a bonus the rudder is deflected as
well, so that's how I'm going to finish it!
Has anyone else built one of these Eduard Hellcats yet? It's a pure joy
to
build. Highly recommended.
--
Enzo
I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.
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