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!
11 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Spiros Pendedekas said on June 28, 2020
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!
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 28, 2020
@fiveten Thank you Spiros!
Stellan Schroeder Englund said on June 28, 2020
Good set of details, even the chains and sprockets for the landing gear actuation are there!
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 28, 2020
@stellan Yes, and I think an "expert set" doesn't need any other aftermarket parts.
Carmelo Rodrigo said on June 28, 2020
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
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 28, 2020
@tupeman Thanks Carmelo! Actually, when it goes about the cockpit - there are 10+ decals for it, so not everything is painted by me 😉
Robert Royes said on June 28, 2020
Excellent work!
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 28, 2020
@roofrat Thanks Robert!
David Hansen said on June 28, 2020
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.
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 28, 2020
@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.
Tom Cleaver said on June 28, 2020
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.
Bill Koppos said on June 28, 2020
Pretty friggin spectacalar. Great paint.
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 28, 2020
@billkoppos Thank you Bill!
dale travis said on June 28, 2020
Great looking Wildcat, especially your paintwork. I wish Arma would do some 1/48 kits.
Tom Cleaver said on June 28, 2020
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.
dale travis said on June 28, 2020
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.
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 28, 2020
@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.
Tom Cleaver said on June 28, 2020
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.
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 28, 2020
@tcinla nice one Tom! Mine still waits to be built.
Tom Cleaver said on June 28, 2020
Be sure to read my review at Modeling Madness.
Tom Cleaver said on June 28, 2020
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.
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 28, 2020
@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.
Tom Cleaver said on June 28, 2020
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).
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 28, 2020
@tcinla I'm looking on the Australian Mk.I trop. This Foliage Green/Earth Brown/Sky Blue scheme looks interesting.
John vd Biggelaar said on June 28, 2020
You give this model a very nice finish, Dmitry.
Absolutely great paint job and weathering.
Well done.
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 28, 2020
@JohnB Thanks John!
George R Blair Jr said on June 28, 2020
Great job, Dmitry. These kits by Arma are really nice. The engine on your build looks terrific.
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 28, 2020
@gblair Thanks George!
Bob Bailey said on June 28, 2020
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?
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 29, 2020
@bails Thanks Bob!
Haslam Yeoman said on June 29, 2020
That is a gem. So much detail for braille scale.
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 29, 2020
@Haslam55 Thank you Haslam!
Louis Gardner said on June 29, 2020
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...
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 29, 2020
@lgardner Thank you for you kind words, Louis!
Greg Kittinger said on June 29, 2020
Wow - there is some beautiful detail on that kit, and you did a fantastic job bringing it alive. Well done!
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 29, 2020
@gkittinger Thank you Greg!
John Healy said on June 29, 2020
Sharp, Dmitry.
Dmitry Stropalov said on June 29, 2020
@j-healy Thanks John!