FM-2 Wildcat (Arma Hobby 1/72)
Again this is a new model kit of a Polish manufacturer Arma Hobby, released in May this year (2020). FM-2 kit is the first variant of the F4F's, and more to come - the clear sprue contains fuselage windows not needed for this GM-built Wildcat.
I was building an "expert set" which has additional PE parts, masks and decal for six options. Details level is outstanding, but it requires some patience and accuracy, especially the landing gear legs and engine. Anyway, PE parts are optional. The overall fit is quite good. I can recommend this kit to anybody interested in 1/72 scale, because it's one of the best Wildcats on the market today.
Thanks for watching!
You did an excellent job of what looks to be a very good but very demanding kit, Dmitry!
Hard to believe it's only 1/72 scale!
@fiveten Thank you Spiros!
Good set of details, even the chains and sprockets for the landing gear actuation are there!
@stellan Yes, and I think an "expert set" doesn't need any other aftermarket parts.
A great job of both painting and detailing I do not know how you can get to see and paint that level of detail at this level.
CONGRATULATIONS
@tupeman Thanks Carmelo! Actually, when it goes about the cockpit - there are 10+ decals for it, so not everything is painted by me 😉
Excellent work!
@roofrat Thanks Robert!
That model is just splendid, Dmitry!
Now, have you built the Hasegawa and Airfix kits yet? my guess is you have.
Fingers crossed for more Wildcats to come from these guys.
@david-hansen Thanks David!
I didn't build the Hasegawa, but I did two HobbyBoss kits. With Airfix - not jet, it waits, but I can compare, and I think it's also a good kit, but... I like thin panel lines, so the Arma is my choice.
The Airfix is good. Only way to get a Martlet IV OOB. Also the only 1/72 kit with a folding wing option. Good looking kit - this is one I did.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Pretty friggin spectacalar. Great paint.
@billkoppos Thank you Bill!
Great looking Wildcat, especially your paintwork. I wish Arma would do some 1/48 kits.
This is one case where you can go "downscale" and be happy Dale. It's a superb kit. Their Hurricanes are also super. These kits compare favorably with 1/48 for level of detail.
I used to do 1/72 and changed to 1/48 in the early 90's. I actually have about 15 1/72 kits in the stash, but they're larger multi engine types. With limited display space, I figured this is the only way i'll have a Whitley. B-17, or Lancaster etc. in the collection. But for single engine fighters, 1/48 is my way to go as I enjoy doing cockpit detail and 72 is just too small for me although I've seen it done quite well by other modelers.
@dtravis Thanks Dale! Who knows, maybe some day Arma will switch to 1/48. Before this they were doing resin kits, also in 1/48. I still have their F2F-1 in that scale.
The F2F is one of the best resin kits ever - a perfect "first resin kit" and "first biplane kit" combined. This is mine.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
@tcinla nice one Tom! Mine still waits to be built.
Be sure to read my review at Modeling Madness.
Thanks for the inspiration with your superb result. I have the kit and can totally agree with your assessment. The Best FM-2 In Any Scale. The only other Wildcat kit this compares with is the Tamiya F4F-4, and for its scale, this kit is superior.
@tcinla Thank you Tom! I can see how with every new kit Arma is progressing, and this FM-2 is close to Tamiya regarding the quality. Also, it's good that they've switched to these popular subjects.
Check out the Hurricanes - I've seen one and it's right up there with this FM-2. Best fabric detail other than the Airfix 1/48 kit (and maybe better than that).
@tcinla I'm looking on the Australian Mk.I trop. This Foliage Green/Earth Brown/Sky Blue scheme looks interesting.
You give this model a very nice finish, Dmitry.
Absolutely great paint job and weathering.
Well done.
@JohnB Thanks John!
Great job, Dmitry. These kits by Arma are really nice. The engine on your build looks terrific.
@gblair Thanks George!
Agree with all the positive comments made about your FM-2. Great work. Also, agree that the Arma kits are very nice...having completed their Hurricane Mk.1 Expert Set can say it's great, although due to the small cockpit, you really cannot readily see all the fancy stuff Arma gives you to put in there. All panel lines are petite as called-for in 1/72; fabric covering also perfect...not overdone. Who knows of on-line retailers in the USA who carry the Arma aircraft kits?
@bails Thanks Bob!
That is a gem. So much detail for braille scale.
@Haslam55 Thank you Haslam!
Dmitry, @starfar
You have succeeded in building a very nice looking Wildcat. If I didn't know better I would think it was a much larger model, in 1/48 scale. This looks fantastic, and your painting work is very realistic.
Well done my friend, and I also pressed the "liked" button too. It is indeed a little gem...
@lgardner Thank you for you kind words, Louis!
Wow - there is some beautiful detail on that kit, and you did a fantastic job bringing it alive. Well done!
@gkittinger Thank you Greg!
Sharp, Dmitry.
@j-healy Thanks John!