Review: Eduard's 1/48th Grumman FM-2 Wildcat
When Eduards brought us a new tool F4F-3 Wildcat late last year, we all assumed that as they have with the Zero, Spitfires and the other series of variants they would eventually give us an FM-2. And here we are much sooner than expected is the FM-2. An accurate one. Hobby Boss made one but it is ok but off in some ways. The early Wildcat was a hit, it was the very first Eduards kit I have attempted though having several in the stash and surprisingly never have built one to that point. I had no reason in particular to that point in not building any then again it took awhile for me to but then it took me awhile to get around in finally building a new mould Airfix kit in the Hurrican Mk.1a. And I have a few of those as well. But this one is special being a variant that is interesting in its history late WWII. That despite much more capable Hellcats and Corsairs, this one held its own and the RN were quite happy with them. There are so many incredilbe kits that will be available as the summer ends into fall. ICM B-26 Marauder, and Sally, Arma Hobby 48th scale Hurricanes to name a few. I got this today in the mail direct from Eduard's so lets take a peek in the box.
Popping the lid. First look is baggies of clear and medium grey plastic in nice easy to open baggies, the clear parts in its own wrapper.
The instruction booklet is not only a quide in building the kit, but also the history is not just a quick summary that is normal, but of several pages which is a nice touch.
After the summary and history feature of the FM-2, is the parts map which also shows the PE fret and masking set for the clear parts. Next a nice paint chart listing several brands and matching paint codes for the colors needed or suggested to complete the model.
The building sequence/steps starts with the cockpit, diagrams, parts locatiion and paint call out are all their to follow as you start the process. The fun part. Now in progress in the Jim Sullivan Memorial GB, you can follow Louis Gardner's WIP on this kit and his journey through out the build it is a fun read and the thorough research he has provided as he progresses. He has noted some errors in the instructions, he has notated them for others to take heed when building this kit.
Next is Eduards nice choices of paint schemes that you can choose to build. From the Tri color, Glossy Sea Blue, a couple of Atlantic schemes and one Royal Navy. Very comprehensive. And a page for the technical stencils to be applied around the air frame.
On the back cover Eduards shows other details that are available for the kit, including the wingfold option that is not in the kit.
The large decal sheets covers all the schemes that are available to choose. As a note to remind those who start to build this kit is to pay attention to the options available for each scheme as the parts provided are in the kit to correspond to the scheme you wish to model.
Since this is a profi pak style kit, you get a Zoom Pe set and a masking set for the extra's if so desired to enhance what is already provided. Notice Eduards went with an Interior Green option on some of the interior panels.
Now that we are done with the crust of the bread, lets get to what drives us, the parts, parts please! 1st sprue is the clear pieces. More than one style of canopies, open, close, early, late, again pay attention to the instructions to which version your building. By the way they are crytal clear.
The 2nd sprue, is the engine components, cockpit, propellers, engine cowling,
2 style of propellers are provided, again check your references into which type is appropriate for the scheme you choose to model even on aftermarket decal sheets you may want to use if not using the kit decals.
3 types of exhaust outlet panels are provided for the different styles used on the FM-2. There are a few upgrades and modifications made on the FM-2. The front lower panel that is just forward of the gear bay is also here.
A nice touch that rockets are provided and yes a surprise to me that the Wildcat used these.
Unlike the first early Eduards kit that provided 3 different types of cowlings, the FM-2 has just one choice.
The engine looks very nicely detailed and a unique style that is Wildcat in nature.
The next sprue contains the horizontal stabs, elevators, rudder and ailerons, drop tanks, interior details.
The back of the engine is nicely detailed which can be visible looking up into the engine bay.
I may go with MasterCraft gun barrels but the kit ones are pretty decent.
The rudder and elevators are have well defined details. Nice. Can be poseable , I may droop the elevators.
The engine crank case.
The next sprue is most of the interior components, seat, bulkheads, wingspar, wheels and landing gear.
The cockpit floor is correct for this version as there was debate it should be a floor and not just the foot troughs.
The rear and front bulkheads, the forward containing the wing spar. The forward bulkhead also serves as the back wall of the gear bay.
Spoke wheels and wheelcover type are provided as separate parts easier to paint and detail separate from the tires. the rear hubs as well.
Part of the landing gear components, despite the fine plastic, it is sturdy, still be careful when removing them from the sprue,. in my experience building the -3 kit, it is a bit fiddly here, I hope It is easier the 2nd time around.
Simple yet the seat is good the seat belts will make it even better.
Early and late style rear cockpit bulkhead, one with a lever, the other without, check your reference though a minor and easy to miss detail.
Now the next sprue is the fuselage halves and the distinctive tall tail that is the FM-2.
The details around the forward section, rivets, panel lines, doors and access hatches are well defined, very nice.
The details around the rear section and tail again as what was described of the forward section.
The LH side interior side wall details, doc/map pouches.
Finally the last sprue are the wing panels. They would need to be cut obviously to fold them. Nice, flaps are moulded in place ailerons are separate parts.
The LH upper wing panel, again, very nice details, doors, panels, gun access hatch panels are defined.
And last is the lower wing panel, shell ejector ports, wing fold line, all there and again very nice details.
So here we have the Eduard's FM-2, what seems to be the most accurate kit of the late version of the Wildcat. Again the plastic looks great, now go build it and enjoy the hobby. Here is my finished build of the Eduard's F4F-3 as a Martlet. It was a bit of a challenge, but the good kind not the frustrating kind.
Thanks for this excellent in depth review, Chuck!
Thanks Spiros, I hope you get the opportunity to pick one up.
Very thorough review, Chuck, anyone thinking of buying this kit will know exactly what’s in the box.
Thanks a lot for reviewing this interesting kit, Chuck @uscusn
Chuck A. Villanueva (@uscusn)
This is an excellent review. Thanks for posting it.
I just noticed that on my "L" parts tree, the pair of open spoked outer wheel covers (part L38) are not included.
It's like they were not even a part of the mold, as there is not an attachment point on the tree for them to exist. However they are present on your kit. That's a bit odd. I have contacted Eduard to see what is up.
Now that is interesting. Yet in your images in your research you have provided, specifically the FM-2 that was fished out of Lake Michigan have spoked wheels. You know my kit didn't come in a Pristine box like it was more used than new as the cover was coming apart.
Looking forward to starting mine. They very cleverly said in their Info magazine that the kit contains a lot of decals so if you were to purchase an overtree set you could easily make it into a dual-combo kit.
So guess what I did?
And I picked up a wing fold whilst I was at it. Their F4F-3 was one of my favourite builds and I don't doubt the FM-2 will be just as enjoyable
Yes I also ordered the wing fold set as well. The overtrees are already available. Though not stateside yet.
Thanks for posting this Chuck, Eduard never let you down and this beauty looks just as good as the rest of there range.
Thanks Neil, they have been on the ball with some real nice kits of their own as well as some of their re-boxes of other producers with their upgrades.
Thanks George, and then some, seeing that Louises kit is missing the spoked wheels. That are on the sprue in my kit. I bet a few other modelers are probably checking their kits.
Thanks John, now go get one and enjoy it.
Thanks for the preview. I have my kit on the way and looking forward to it. I'll probably do the RN version as it is the most colorful of the lot and wanted to do an RN Martlet for a while.
Anyone wanting the HB kit FM-2 with Vektor set?
Thanks Dan, you will be totally ready to start on it when you get it. Something some kits that just seem to beckon. Most of the time I get a new kit, especially a new mould one from a new company, or anticipated kit that you have been waiting for and goes to the stash. But there are some that says lets get started. This is one of them.
Thank you Chuck!
I am sure I will have to pick one up!
David good to see ya, you look good, I know that you will get one soon. You will enjoy it.