ajmm Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 This has been trundling along for a while, this build. But a burst of energy (oddly enough as I was off work sick) has seen it over the line. The FM-2 Wildcat needs no introduction, and if it does then there are plenty of better written potted histories than I could manage. Suffice to say it was the last of the Wildcat line, with a more powerful engine and a larger tail to compensate. The Sweet kit is also well known. The only edits I made to it were to put a spare seat in the cockpit (can't be seen); to widen the diameter of the cowling (as the Shelf Oddity instructions wisely advise); and to put the prop in my dremel to lathe down the somewhat exaggerated staggered hub into a spinner. I was very tempted to use the lovely Shelf Oddity etch set for this (https://shelfoddity.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=58 quite challenging-looking but I think I'd be up to it). In the end, though, I've decided to save that or another 'cat... I did use the superb (https://shelfoddity.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=25) Shelf Oddity decals. These were an absolute joy to use, even considering all the many many little stencils I had to put on. Not a whisper of silvering and all perfectly well behaved. There is a small etch fret as well, so you can put rocket stubs and other little details on. I plan to do the blue and natural metal ones the decals provide for, so will use the full detail set and the subject-specific etch on a future build. The Naval Air Modification Centre (NAMU) trained mechanics and had a number of bright yellow aircraft assigned to it (including a rather fetching Helldiver). Here's my Wildcat parked up in September 1946... As well as being used to test things like HVAR rocket, they were used as trainers and tugs... I sprayed the whole thing in Mr Hobby 329 which worked well, but required quite a few layers to get the right depth and shade. I used oils, pencils and pastels to weather (I refuse to believe that a bright yellow radial remains clean for long). I was particularly smug about my little pitot which I scratch built... The aerials at the back caused me some grief, but I got there in the end (kept reminding myself that it was better than trying to rig a Gladiator...) And that's that. With something totally unrelated but also on the bench... And now this goes to join its sibling Wildcats... Thanks very much for looking! 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobo Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 (edited) I thought this model was 1/72 when I first looked at it. Looks great - overall yellow Wildcats are new to me.. What did you use for the aerial wires? Looks really realistic for 1/144. Those Sweet models are unbelievable; I have several of their Wildcat kits and they are very nice. Is the P-38 the 1/144 Fujimi kit? Thanks for posting. Edited November 30, 2018 by Hobo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 Great model, hard to believe it's in 1/144 scale ! it's also a very interesting subject, love seeing things like this 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazey Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 That would be a great model in any scale, but especially so in 1/144. Nice scheme, degree of weathering and fantastic work on the aerials. Regards, David 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Putty Animal Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 Hi ajmm, that looks fantastic! I especially admire the work you did on the panel shading. Particularly when comparing it to the photographs of the real thing. They look just right. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajmm Posted November 30, 2018 Author Share Posted November 30, 2018 Thanks very much for the kind comments guys! I enjoyed this build. 5 hours ago, Hobo said: I thought this model was 1/72 when I first looked at it. Looks great - overall yellow Wildcats are new to me.. What did you use for the aerial wires? Looks really realistic for 1/144. Those Sweet models are unbelievable; I have several of their Wildcat kits and they are very nice. Is the P-38 the 1/144 Fujimi kit? Thanks for posting. Hobo, thanks. I use Uschi Van Der Rosten Super Fine elastic thread. I don’t use magnifiers but very strong lighting is essential as it’s easy to lose track of the thread - it can be wildly frustrating but can also pay off I think. Not the Fujimi kit but a repaint of the F-Toys kit. I’m actually finishing off a Fujimi P-38 as well. I don’t really like the kit - some of it is brilliantly well done but then some of the fit is terrible - thinking particularly of the nose panels. Hateful exercise making that look ok. F-Toys is a little better in that regard but shame they only offer the F/G models. I built one here before but I see I need to update the images. (The old F-Toys J looks dreadful, I reckon, very much more toy than kit). Thanks again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mig88 Posted December 1, 2018 Share Posted December 1, 2018 A wonderful job, Angus, as always! Very nicely done and finished! Cheers Miguel 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus999 Posted December 1, 2018 Share Posted December 1, 2018 That's 1/144??? Fantastic! Such a great subject too -- post WWII. Nice job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greggles.w Posted December 2, 2018 Share Posted December 2, 2018 Exquisite work! Congratulations, looks great. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted December 2, 2018 Share Posted December 2, 2018 Impressive !!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennisTheBear Posted December 2, 2018 Share Posted December 2, 2018 If you didn't have a photo of it in your hand I wouldn't have believed it was 1/144. What a great colour scheme, too! Inspired me, it has! DennisTheBear 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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