1/48 - Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat by Academy - released

[Homebee]

In 2022 catalogue, Academy is to release a new tool 1/48th Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat - Battle of Midway - kit - ref. 12355

Despite rumours It won't be a rebox from the future Eduard F4F kits family (thread), dixit words from M. Vladimir Šulc, boss from Eduard–Model Accesorries ltd., as from M. Gustav Jung, boss from Wolfpack Design, who's close ties with Academy Hobby Model Kits - see here: link

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=4666693050091873&set=pcb.4666695563424955

 

 

V.P.

 

Edited September 6, 2024 by Homebee

[Tbolt]

Nice. Will be interesting to see what they do with it.

 

[Adam Maas]

Remember, Eduard has one in the pipeline as well.

Going to be an interesting fight. Academy needs to get this one out the door quick, because they already lost the race with the A6M2 and there's just not that big a market for a new F4F-4 in 1/48, although this year is probably going to be the peak for that with all the anniversaries, most notably Midway's 70th.

[Homebee]

22 minutes ago, Adam Maas said:

Remember, Eduard has one in the pipeline as well.

Going to be an interesting fight. Academy needs to get this one out the door quick, because they already lost the race with the A6M2 and there's just not that big a market for a new F4F-4 in 1/48, although this year is probably going to be the peak for that with all the anniversaries, most notably Midway's 70th.

 

Midway's 80th, Adam. 😉 Tempus fugit.

 

V.P.

Edited January 6, 2022 by Homebee

[Homebee]

Confirmed in 2023 catalogue - ref. 12355 - Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat - Battle of Midway 

Source: https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235117457-academy-2023-releases-newsletters-1/&do=findComment&comment=4622755

 

 

V.P.

[VMA131Marine]

Any news on this? Or has it been cancelled in light of the Eduard kit? I know Eduard kits don’t make money for Academy, but this would be the second 1/48th aircraft in a row they would have directly competed with Eduard after the Eduard kit came out. 
 

The Academy Zero is perfectly fine, and a similar price to the Eduard Weekend boxings but sales must have been affected by the availability of the Eduard.

[jaydecker]

https://shopping-interallied.com/view/item/000000001724

 

 

 

Edited June 14, 2024 by jaydecker

[pengland007]

3 minutes ago, jaydecker said:

http://www.interallied.co.jp/release/2024/06/17339

 

I like it, curious as to how it builds and looks built up

[Jb65rams]

Thought this had gone MIA.

 

Like the fact the box includes a wing fold option.

 

Will be looking to get at least one. 
 

 

[Homebee]

Thanks jaydecker ! 

Expected in September 2024

- ref. 12355 - Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat - Battle of Midway

Source: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11097479

 

 

 

 

V.P.

Edited July 9, 2024 by Homebee

[salomon]

I'll get one for sure.

[TheKinksFan]

On 19/11/2023 at 19:28, VMA131Marine said:

The Academy Zero is perfectly fine, and a similar price to the Eduard Weekend boxings but sales must have been affected by the availability of the Eduard.

Yen and won are both so weak that imported European kits are really expensive in East Asia. I asked one Japanese seller if he was going to get Eduard's new 1/72 Mustang (for himself), and he replied that probably not as Eduard kits are so expensive. So at least in East Asia, which is quite a big market, I believe Academy's Zero and Wildcat outsell Eduard's.

[Homebee]

Second test shot

Source: https://www.facebook.com/gustav.jung.7/posts/pfbid02tB46o4szELMaj5xyJZjUYzMjscir8QTwXf44vVBRbedah4DJq37fPktKTU2kmh7Ul

 

 

V.P.

[jaydecker]

https://blog.naver.com/spooky_64/223511716134

[Tbolt]

7 hours ago, jaydecker said:

https://blog.naver.com/spooky_64/223511716134

 

That's looking very nice. Might have to get one to do a folded up one.

[FlatlandFox]

I like the overall looks of the sprues. Simple engineering with nice touches like the separate push rods for the engine or the peculiar cockpit floor.

I like it. Will buy.

[matti64]

On 6/13/2024 at 3:14 PM, Jb65rams said:

Thought this had gone MIA.

 

Like the fact the box includes a wing fold option.

 

Will be looking to get at least one. 
 

 

I thinbk that will be a decider  fo many  purchasers. I don't know why Eduard didn'yt think that this would be worth pursuing?

 

[Hornet133]

I don't think the major factor in SEA shops not stocking O/S kits is the exchange rate, but very high import taxes on imported goods which pushes up the price. Gotta keep the business to local Manufacturers you know...

[Mycapt65]

I'm not a giant Wildcat fan. Personally I find them a little portly and ungainly for a fighter. That said I'll definitely buy one simply to display the ingenious Grumman wing fold design in the case. Plus they did have a significant place in naval aviation. 

 

I'm looking forward to this release since I grew up 4 miles from where they were made and my grandfather worked at the plant.

Edited July 15, 2024 by Mycapt65

[Homebee]

Sprues pics

Source: https://blog.naver.com/spooky_64/223511716134

Also

Source: https://mmzone.co.kr/mms_tool/mt_view.php?mms_db_name=mmz_info&no=379657

 

 

V.P.

Edited July 19, 2024 by Homebee

[Tbolt]

21 minutes ago, Homebee said:

Sprues pics

Source: https://blog.naver.com/spooky_64/223511716134

 

V.P.

 

Look up 😉  - Posted last Sunday by jaydecker.

[Homebee]

Source: https://mmzone.co.kr/mms_tool/mt_view.php?mms_db_name=mmz_media&no=9393

 

 

V.P.

Edited July 23, 2024 by Homebee

[anj4de]

Hi all

 

Check it out...! I will get one for sure!

 

 

 

[Mycapt65]

That video looked amazing all the way through until they could get the canopy to sit right. I was seconds away from ordering the kit. I can't do it until i see the canopy fits correctly 

[Xspace]

I see two canopies on clear sprue, one is for open other for closed position.

Kit is really impressive, for me folded wings option is a winner.

Edited August 21, 2024 by Xspace