Enzo Matrix wrote:
> 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.
>
I won the Eduard kit in a raffle at a club meeting recently, but I've
only just looked it over and not started the build as yet - it does look
like a great kit. I've got the Hasagawa kit as well, and in comparison
the Eduard kit looks top-notch. Going to have to give some of the other
Eduard kits a look now.
--
- Rufus
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