1:48 FM-1 “WILDCAT”

FM-1 Wildcat 1:48 from Hobby Boss

An injection-molded plastic kit of the carrier fighter FM-1 Wildcat in 1:48 scale. The package holds plastic sprues, separate clear parts for the canopy and decals. In size it is a small model that fits into a display case even next to larger pieces.

The real subject

The Grumman F4F Wildcat was the main carrier fighter of the US Navy at the beginning of the Second World War and the machine with which the US Navy halted the Japanese advance in the Pacific. When Grumman shifted its capacity to the more powerful Hellcat, license production was taken over by the Eastern Aircraft division of General Motors, and its machines received the designation FM-1. Compared with the F4F-4, the FM-1 had only four heavy machine guns instead of six, but with a larger ammunition supply: the lighter armament suited operations from small escort carriers, where Wildcats covered convoys until the end of the war. The British Fleet Air Arm used the same version under the name Wildcat V.

Building and painting tips

The landing gear of the Wildcat retracts into the fuselage and is quite prominent on the model, so take care with its struts and with the cleanliness of the bays. Paint and fit the cockpit before the fuselage is closed, and mask the canopy. The three-tone naval scheme comes out best from an airbrush with soft transitions; lay the decals over an intermediate gloss clear coat and apply the matte coat only at the end.

Who the model is for

• collectors of carrier fighters of the Second World War
• modelers looking for a smaller and quicker project in 1:48 scale
• anyone interested in license versions of American types

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.