rtfoe
SMF Supporter
Thanks Guys, I hope Rick H has a fleet of them. 
And Jim, it might look neat but there are still gaps and filler to be applied then you'll see how messy it can get...
Here's the rear mud guard fitted with plastic strip shims.
It's too white to see the thin gaps at the top of the spacer and sheet that will need filling in...
From this angle you can see the gap to the superstructure to be filled.
Here's the messy part...I like to layer in the putty and sand off once and for all and this E7 putty lets me do that as it dries quickly layer upon layer and hardens with the consistency of wax so scraping and sanding is easy. It doesn't flake off...the industrial thinner that I use to thin it gives a good bite and hold into the plastic. I have put some putty onto the accidental cuts and scratches that the blade made while cleaning up the edges.
Toldja it was messy...all it needs is a blade to slice off the extra hardened putty and the rest to wet sand.
All the deep scratches will be filled in by the putty. I had to remove the exhaust tube that was in the way. I have to correct the lamp guards as reference shows them different...the AFV ones are correct. I'm doing these changes because I have the AFV kit to compare it with and may put both of them in the same diorama but you can still build a passable Hellcat from the Academy kit.
Cheers,
Richard
And Jim, it might look neat but there are still gaps and filler to be applied then you'll see how messy it can get...Here's the rear mud guard fitted with plastic strip shims.
It's too white to see the thin gaps at the top of the spacer and sheet that will need filling in...
From this angle you can see the gap to the superstructure to be filled.
Here's the messy part...I like to layer in the putty and sand off once and for all and this E7 putty lets me do that as it dries quickly layer upon layer and hardens with the consistency of wax so scraping and sanding is easy. It doesn't flake off...the industrial thinner that I use to thin it gives a good bite and hold into the plastic. I have put some putty onto the accidental cuts and scratches that the blade made while cleaning up the edges.
Toldja it was messy...all it needs is a blade to slice off the extra hardened putty and the rest to wet sand.
All the deep scratches will be filled in by the putty. I had to remove the exhaust tube that was in the way. I have to correct the lamp guards as reference shows them different...the AFV ones are correct. I'm doing these changes because I have the AFV kit to compare it with and may put both of them in the same diorama but you can still build a passable Hellcat from the Academy kit.
Cheers,
Richard
I'm only trying to get it anatomically correct and leave the finer stuff alone for the experts. 
