Converting the Eduard 1/48 F6F to a Nightfighter

By  Rod Lees, IPMS# 10821

Quickboost Hellcat Nightfighter Conversions,     QBT 48185, F6F-3N, MSRP $8.95 and QBT48196, F6F-5N, MSRP $11.95,     available from www.quickboost.net   and the DMold F6F-5 Corrected Cowling, DM 48005, MSRP £8.99 (approx $14.47),     available from North American Hobbies in the U.S.; or www.dmold.ucoz.com . Quickboost first: These are extremely simple conversions for Eduard's excellent F6F series. I can't say these are difficult; both conversions involve replacement of the existing kit .50 caliber barrels (for the -3), and a 20MM cannon barrel with two .50 cals (for the -5), with more detailed resin items, and attachment of the radome to the right wing. There are also two sets of what appear to be dipole antennas for the underside of the aircraft, and a radar screen instrument dial to attach to the center of the instrument panel. There is a small diagram showing where everything is supposed to go. Unfortunately, there are no dimensional instructions on where to put the radome on the wing tip. I have reference books on the F6F, so it wasn't a big deal for me, but for someone who doesn't care to invest the extra money for a book could attach it at the wrong place. Not that it would matter, but putting the radome halfway out on the wing verses just inboard of the tip would look cool and "wrong".

I would expect this conversion would be sought out by people who wanted the upgrade… and would know what to do. Not a poke in the eye to our friends at Quickboost, just a thought for future drawings. The DMold cowling is, well, perfect. It was designed for the Hasegawa -5, and the only requirement to have it fit the Eduard kit is to remove the two alignment bars on the upper and lower section of the cowl. It slid right into place! Of course, the cooling flaps are fully open, so I had to construct some exhaust tubing for the engine (which is VERY visible with fully-open cowl flaps) before installing the cowl; for this I just used fine solder (and superglued the ends to keep the rosin inside). Didn't have solid solder for the purpose…

End result: I don't have to scratchbuild a radome or 20MM weapons for my Hellcat! And the DMold cowl is well worth acquiring… it addresses the frontal aspect of the model, which is always under challenge from various aspects. I would like to express, once again, extreme thanks to Quickboost; they provided IPMS the -3N Nightfighter set, which I did not use since I subsequently purchased their -5N for my build, along with the DM corrected cowling. My "to-build" stash is decreasing! I sincerely appreciate their providing these review item and look forward to future releases from both companies.

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