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Hobbyboss wildcat 1/48th scale


Rodders

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hi All,

I'm not at home at the moment so i hope i've got this right. i did a kit swap and have the hobbyboss Wildcat FM-1. i was thinking of trying to get some update parts but i'm a bit confused as the only thing i know if there are different Wildcat variants(F4F,etc). what i wanted to ask is are there updates that are the same for the FM1 and F4F,etc.

thanks,

rodders.

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35 minutes ago, Rodders said:

hi All,

I'm not at home at the moment so i hope i've got this right. i did a kit swap and have the hobbyboss Wildcat FM-1. i was thinking of trying to get some update parts but i'm a bit confused as the only thing i know if there are different Wildcat variants(F4F,etc). what i wanted to ask is are there updates that are the same for the FM1 and F4F,etc.

thanks,

rodders.

What sort of updates are you thinking of? The kit itself is relatively new and quite nicely detailed.  The Wildcat / Martlet can be a bit of a minefield with folding or no folding wings, 4or 6 guns, different cowls etc!

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2 minutes ago, neilh said:

What sort of updates are you thinking of? The kit itself is relatively new and quite nicely detailed.  The Wildcat / Martlet can be a bit of a minefield with folding or no folding wings, 4or 6 guns, different cowls etc!

i was just thinking of cockpit and airframe updates.

cheers,

rodders.

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I have this reference data from an article by Bruce Archer on Hyperscale that may help.

Wildcats-
Martlet I: will take quite a bit of work, moving guns, and the cyclone engine
Martlet II (Serials AM954-AM963): these were F4F-3s, which were, re-designated Mk.IIIs. Use the Hobby Boss F4F-3 (early) with the F4F-3 (late) canopy.
Martlet II (serial AM964 –AM999) : These were F4F-4As, and did not have the carb scoop nor the intercooler scoops. Use the Tamiya or Hobby Boss F4F-4, with the scoops removed. Additionally, there was one other feature of these; these had an unique pitot which was above the wing on the port side, near the aileron.
Martlet II ( serials AJ100-AJ153): These had the scoops deleted (carb and intercooler) but had the standard F4F-4 pitot.
Martlet III: These were the ex-Greek order a/c and were F4F-3A a/c. So they lacked the intercooler scoops. Use the F4F-3 (early) with the F4F-3 (late) canopy from Hobby Boss.
Martlet IV: A F4F-4B, Cyclone powered, Need to change the entire nose.
Wildcat V: This was a FM-1. Use the Hobby Boss FM-1
Wildcat VI: A FM-1. Though Hobby Boss has a FM-2, it has the wrong cowl. Use the Sword kit, or combine the Sword and Hobby Boss FM-2s.


Bruce Archer
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Hi!
Here is a quick run down of the Martlet/Kit to use..

Martlet I- Needs major work. Need to change the locations of the two guns in each wing, need need shaped cowl which is shorter, and need to lengthen forward fuselage. There may be a conversion set coming.

Martlet II- First ten use the Hobby Boss F4F-3 (late)with the F4F-3 (early) cowl, as these were F4F-3s
AJ series Mk.II- Use the Hobby Boss or Tamiya F4F-4, remove the carb scoop and intercooler scoops. These also had a unique pitot on the upper port wing
AM series Mk.II- Use the Hobby Boss or Tamiya F4F-4, remove the carb intake and intercooler scoops, and these had the standard F4F-4 Pitot

Martlet III-ex-Mk.II these were standard F4F-3, use the Hiobby Boss F4F-3 (late), with the F4F-3 (early) cowl
ex-Greek these were F4F-3Bs,use the Hobby Boss F4F-3 (early) with the F4F-3 late windscreen, or the Hobby Boss F4F-3 (late)with the F4F-3 (early) cowl, remove the intercooler scoops

Martlet IV- as per the Martlet I

Martlet V- Use the Hobby Boss FM-1 as is

Martlet VI- The Sword kit is the closest to the actual aircraft, and the Hobby Boss kit has the wrong cowl. Perhaps a combo of the two? Or wait as there is a new conversion set coming...

I do hope this helps.

Go here to the article I wrote about the Wildcat in FAA service. It has a lot of the info you are looking for.


http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/wildcatfaaba_1.htm


Bruce

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4 hours ago, Rodders said:

i was just thinking of cockpit and airframe updates.

 

how much does it need? Or how much do you think it needs.

 

IIRC the HB kits are basically decent,   but if you are prepared to spend some time cross referencing that should give you the answer.

 

OK

looks like Eduard  didn't do them for the FM-1,but the F4F-4 and F4F-3, 

https://www.eduard.com/store/index.php?stoken=472AEC3A&force_sid=ec80dab4f9e57f74941347c2451ed316&lang=1&currency=1&listtype=search&searchparam=f4f&cl=search&tpl=&fnc=executefilter&attrfilter[]=&attrfilter[17]=1%2F48

 

if you look at the individual items it shows them used,  as well as pdf's of the instructions.   

 

a look at  Hannants,  again nothing FM-1 specific

https://www.hannants.co.uk/search/index.php?adv=1&product_category_id=&product_division_id=&manufacturer_id=&product_type_id=&code=&scale_id=955&keyword_search=wildcat&setPerPage=75&sort=0&search_direction=0&save_search_name=&save_search=

 

AFAIK the FM-1 is very similar to the F4F-4,  apart from the wing guns,  and the interior colour

@Bruce Archer  would be able to say more on this though.

 

 

this is scans of the updated Detail and Scale

http://www.boxartden.com/gallery/index.php/Profiles/Detail-Scale/65-Grumman-F4F

 

No FM-1 cockpit, but an FM-2,  (and -4 and -3)  so you  can if much varies...

 

this is the earlier volume

http://www.boxartden.com/gallery/index.php/Profiles/Detail-Scale/30-Grumman-F4F

 

which may help.

 

The main 'problem' with the FM-1 is there are not that many colour schemes,  tri tone, Overall blue,  Atlantic grey over white and Fleet Air Arm.

Again,  other will know more.

try this

http://www.angelfire.com/dc/jinxx1/Wildcat/F4FColors.html

 

also note the links at the bottom.

 

HTH

T

 

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Coincidentally, I was just looking at this very kit in my stash last night.  If it's accurate, it looks nicely detailed. 

 

The only thing that caught my eye is that the prop hub looks a bit odd to me (the larger diameter cylinder looks like it protrudes in front of the blades too much), but I'm no expert.  Easy fix, if so.

 

Regards

 

Martin

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I'm not a fan of the way the fabric- especially (or maybe even only) on the ailerons- looks.  But that you could fix with a little sanding and such.  If you're going to have the hood slid back, then I strongly recommend a vac replacement canopy- it'll sit much more properly.

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Hi, Rodders, 

 

Here you have the complete Hannants menu of aftermarket for a Wildcat.

 

https://www.hannants.co.uk/search/index.php?product_category_id=&product_division_id=&manufacturer_id=&code=&product_type_id=all_aircraft_accessories&scale_id=955&keyword_search=wildcat&setPerPage=25&currency_id=

 

I have recently build a FM-1 as a Wildcat V and used just an Eduard Zoom set for the cockpit.  However, there is a whole gamut of options, depending on how far you want to go. The "complete" Eduard set is quite comprehensive. A vacuformed hood is mandatory (Rob Taurus works wonderfully) to pose it open.

 

Wing guns and folding wing sets for F4F-4 or the Tamiya kit would work fine (beware FM-1 has only two guns per wing). A resin engine would also go, but there is really no need of that.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Fernando

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Hi all,

thanks for all the help. I've been thinking about it and i think i will just get a new seat as i think ultracast do one although Hannants don't list it i don't know if i could get one at Telford.

Troy thanks for all the advice and the links,

Cheers,

Rodders.

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2 hours ago, Rodders said:

ultracast do one although Hannants don't list it i don't know if i could get one at Telford.

 

the  UK distributor for Ultracast  is now Soveriegn Hobbies,  here's the  Wildcat stuff

https://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk/search?q=wildcat

 

@Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies  is a regular here,  and is  going to Telford AFAIK

 

HTH

T

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3 minutes ago, Troy Smith said:

 

the  UK distributor for Ultracast  is now Soveriegn Hobbies,  here's the  Wildcat stuff

https://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk/search?q=wildcat

 

@Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies  is a regular here,  and is  going to Telford AFAIK

 

HTH

T

thanks Troy that's a great help,

Cheers,

Rodders.

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10 minutes ago, Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies said:

Hi folks. Troy is spot on as usual. It's available through our webstore and we'll be at Telford this year.

Hi could i ask if you could bring one along although i don't know which one for the Wildcat FM1,

Cheers,

Rodders.

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33 minutes ago, Rodders said:

Hi could i ask if you could bring one along although i don't know which one for the Wildcat FM1,

Cheers,

Rodders.

 

@Bruce Archer  would the the chap for this

 

I think

for a British one this (sutton harness)

https://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk/products/ultracast-1-48-f4f-wildcat-martlet-seat-48212

 

for an American one this

https://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk/products/ultracast-1-48-grumman-f4f-wildcat-seats-with-harnesses-48029

 

the other is for an early type, and the FM-1  is late

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