ArmaHobby FM-1 & FM-2 Wildcat (70050) 1:72 ARMA Hobby Delux Set

[Julien]

 FM-1 & FM-2 Wildcat (70050)

1:72 ARMA Hobby Delux Set

 

 

Grumman began development work on a new fighter in the mid 1930. Originally the new aircraft was outpaced by the Brewster Buffalo and Grumman resigned their aircraft to carry a supercharged version of the Pratt & Whitney R-1830 "Twin Wasp" radial engine. Original orders from France were delivered to the British Royal Navy after France fell. The RN designated the aircraft the Marlet. The US Navy would then adopt the type in late 1941. Originally armed with 4 0.50 cal machine guns the F4F-4 was introduced in 1941 with 6 of these guns. The aircraft also featured a wing fold system to allow more aircraft to be on a carrier. Even though the armament was increased to 6 gun the ammuntion capacity was not, thus actually giving pilots less firing time which was disliked. The extra weight from the guns and wing fold also reduced performance. While Grumman's Wildcat production ceased in 1943 to make way for the Hellcat General Motors continued to produce the Wildcat. Even though technically obsolete by this point it was still a useful aircraft for the smaller escort carriers. The FM-1 was identical to the F4F-4 but the number of guns was reduced to the original 4 with provision being made for bomb racks, or rockets to be fitted. The FM-2 was an improved airframe with a more powerful engine, and increased rudder area to compensate for the extra torque. 

 

The Kits

These are new tool kits from ARMA Hobby. There is a common smaller sprue with different main sprues for the 2 versions. The kits will also need some modifications by the modeller to accurately reflect the airframes. As well as 2 lots of kis there is an additional PE sprue in this double boxing. An additional bonus in this boxing are two laser cut wooden decks. The moulds are crisp with what feels like the right level of detailing and recessed panel lines for this scale.

 

FM-1

Construction starts with the cockpit. The instrument panel is attached to the front bulkhead (instruments being provided as decals, behind a PE part). The rudder pedals then fit to the back of this bulkhead and it can be attached to the cockpit floor. The seat can then be attached to the read cockpit bulkhead. PE with decals seatbelts are provided. The rear bulkhead can then be attached to the cockpit floor. Side parts then join the front and rear bulkheads. The cockpit can then be added to the right fuselage. The front bulkhead for the landing gear area can now be added in front of the cockpit with PE details for the gear retraction mechanism going in. The internal parts of the gear mechanism can then go in. We then follow this up with assembling the engine and it's bearers as this goes onto the front side of the gear bulkhead. twin banks of cylinders have their parts added along with a PE wiring harness, the gearbox then fits to the front. At the rear the mounts and exhausts go on along with the oil tank and oil coolers. Once the bearers are on the fuselage can be closed up and the engine mounted to the front. The engine cowls can then be added. This is split in half with a front ring, with different ones being provided for one of the decal options. The propeller can then be fitted.

 

 

 

Now the tailplanes and rudder can be fitted along with tail wheel. The wings can now be fitted, these are conventional left/right with uppers and lowers. If using the drop tanks you will need to open up the holes for these. Once the wings are one the complicated landing gear itself needs to be built up. Arma provide a frame to alight some of the parts or this. The ear can then be added to the fuselage and the wheels added. Some nav lights will need to be removed from the kit for this boxing and then wing lights and pitot tubes added. Bomb racks and the drop tanks go on if you are using them. Lastly the canopies and top aerial are fitted. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FM-2

Construction starts with the cockpit. The instrument panel is attached to the front bulkhead (instruments being provided as decals, behind a PE part). The rudder pedals then fit to the back of this bulkhead and it can be attached to the cockpit floor. The seat can then be attached to the read cockpit bulkhead. PE with decals seatbelts are provided. The rear bulkhead can then be attached to the cockpit floor. Side parts then join the front and rear bulkheads. The cockpit can then be added to the right fuselage. The front bulkhead for the landing gear area can now be added in front of the cockpit with PE details for the gear retraction mechanism going in. The internal parts of the gear mechanism can then go in. We then follow this up with assembling the engine and it's bearers as this goes onto the front side of the gear bulkhead. the cylinders are added along with push rods, the gearbox then fits to the front. At the rear the mounts and exhausts go on along with the oil tank and oil coolers. Once the bearers are on the fuselage can be closed up and the engine mounted to the front. The engine cowls can then be added. This is split in half with a front ring. The propeller can then be fitted.

 

 

Now the tailplanes and rudder can be fitted along with tail wheel. The wings can now be fitted, these are conventional left/right with uppers and lowers. If using the drop tanks, and rockets you will need to open up the holes for these. Once the wings are one the complicated landing gear itself needs to be built up. Arma provide a frame to alight some of the parts or this. The ear can then be added to the fuselage and the wheels added. Some nav lights will need to be removed from the kit for this boxing and then wing lights and pitot tubes added. Bomb racks, rockets and the drop tanks go on if you are using them. Lastly the canopies and top aerial are fitted. 

 

 

 

Markings

There are printed by Techmod so should pose no problems. 4 marking option are provided for each of the kits,

 

 

FM-1 A32/S31 VC-33 USS Nassau, Sept 1943.

Wildcat V JV579/F "That Old Thing" 846 Sqn FAA, HMS Trumpeter (invasion stripes as providing anti-submarine cover over the landings)

FM-1 No.7, VC-6, USS Core, Dec 1943 North Atlantic.

Wildcat V, JV439/C9-N, 733 Sqn FAA, Tricomalee Airfield, Ceylon 1945.

 

 

FM-2 No.8 "Hot Lips", VC-99, USS Hoggatt Bay, Pacific Theatre 1945

FM-2 No.D6, "Judy", VC-14, USS Hoggatt Bay, The Philippines 1944

FM-2 No.4 VC-13, USS Tropoli Atlantic Ocean March 1944

Wildcat VI JV752/320-9 AAEE Boscomble Down Feb 1945

 

 

Carrier Decks

Two deck sections typical of a US Escort carrier are provided in the box in laser etched wood. 

 

 

Conclusion

It is great to see a double boxing of this excellent kit now being offered with the bonus inclusion of the carrier deck sections. Very Highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of