dfqweofekwpeweiop4 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Airfix 1/72 Grumman Martlet (Wildcat) Mk IV. This is the recent Martlet kit from Airfix, not the ancient one! It's based on their new tool F4F-4 Wildcat kit but with new cowling and a few other parts. This kit was started not long after getting it but the main landing gear struts and broken and I couldn't get a replacement part from Airfix (not the best example of customer service!). Luckily a fellow Britmodeller sent me a spare set of landing gear parts but I was also having bother getting the fuselage to fit together properly, so it was on the proverbial shelf of doom for a good while. Recently I decided to complete it and other than the problems I had, it's a nice kit and I'm glad I completed it. It's in markings from an aircraft flown off HMS Formidable, during Operation Torch, 1942. I've already built a Sea Hurricane from Op Torch and have a Swordfish from Op Torch to build. Thanks Mike 26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Very nice indeed. Glad you persevered with it. Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thud4444 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 That looks fantastic. I had the exact same problems with mine when I built it. The paint work is exceptional. That is the kit decals right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfqweofekwpeweiop4 Posted May 17, 2018 Author Share Posted May 17, 2018 10 minutes ago, Thud4444 said: That looks fantastic. I had the exact same problems with mine when I built it. The paint work is exceptional. That is the kit decals right? Thanks - they certainly are. One good thing about recent Airfix kits, is that the decals are pretty good. thanks Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Nicely done! Chris 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapam Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Beautiful work - you'd never know it once was on the shelf of doom. I have never seen a Martlet parked beside a Wildcat so I'm rather ignorant to the cowl differences. The Martlet had a different (perhaps later development) engine then? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FAAMAN Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Great Martlet, very nicely finished 😎 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beard Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 That's rather nice Mike. As others have said, I'm glad it didn't stay on the shelf of doom and the paint work is excellent. 2 hours ago, kapam said: I have never seen a Martlet parked beside a Wildcat so I'm rather ignorant to the cowl differences. This explains the various FAA Martlet/ Wildcat versions; http://www.armouredcarriers.com/grumman-f4f-martlet-variants/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Smashing job Mike. Looks great. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dfqweofekwpeweiop4 Posted May 18, 2018 Author Share Posted May 18, 2018 6 hours ago, kapam said: Beautiful work - you'd never know it once was on the shelf of doom. I have never seen a Martlet parked beside a Wildcat so I'm rather ignorant to the cowl differences. The Martlet had a different (perhaps later development) engine then? Thanks! It's not so much a different engine as the US versions had different engines or engine developments in some of the different marks. I always thought for example that the Martlet Mk VI was the same thing as the F4F-4 Wildcat, just with British radios and seatbelts etc but it turns out it had other differences, like a different cowling, which is one thing on a little sprue in the Airfix kit, that isn't in the Wildcat kit. I seem to remember a big discussion on here just before and after the kit came out, about the differences between the US Wildcats and the FAA Martlets. To be fair, I found it all a bit confusing, so I just trusted in Airfix to be fairly accurate, so built the kit OOB, (except for some seatbelts). I'm just happy that a mainstream company made a modern kit of the Martlet, as I've never made one before (I have made a US Wildcat years ago). thanks Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Very nice looking Martlet. Andrew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 Look's a winner Mike great job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazontipede Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 What a super little Martlet. Well done! 21 hours ago, kapam said: I have never seen a Martlet parked beside a Wildcat so I'm rather ignorant to the cowl differences. The Martlet had a different (perhaps later development) engine then? Here's one of the best variant comparisons I've seen that untangles the Martlet/Wildcat family. http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/wildcatfaaba_1.htm 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makoa20120 Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 fantastic build! lovely Martlet ‼️ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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