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John Healy
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1/72 F4F-4 Wildcat.

September 30, 2023 · in Aviation · · 34 · 396

This little crossed the finish line today. This model was part of an Airfix starter set that included a set of acrylic paints and a brush. I purchased it because it came with markings for a VC-13 plane aboard the escort carrier USS Core in the Atlantic. I wasn't really sure if these markings were correct for an because I always associate the GM built FM-1 with the Atlantic ASW mission. After doing some research I discovered that Airfix was indeed correct. VC-13 was equipped with Grumman built Wildcats in 1943. These planes were delivered in the blue-gray/light gray scheme and were repainted by the navy at Norfolk, Virginia. I also realized that I could combine some of the kit decals with spares from the decal dungeon to do a plane in the simplified ASW II scheme that dispensed with the Light Gull Gray sides and featured a majority white fuselage. These planes are also interesting for the fact that the black landing gear sections were over sprayed in white. I chose to replicate a plane flown by one Lt. (Jg) Julius Brownstein. Brownstein was rescued after a bad launch in December, 1943 landed him and this plane in the ocean.

The kit assembled well and was a simple, fun project. I painted it with Tamiya lacquer white and Humbrol enamels for everything else. Another one done for my U-boat war display.

Thanks for looking!

Reader reactions:
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13 additional images. Click to enlarge.


34 responses

  1. Very nice work on the Wildcat, John @j-healy, and also your collection of related aircraft & U-Boat !

  2. yeah, that's a nice little kit, as your very nice model so clearly demonstrates.

  3. John Healy (@j-healy)
    You did a magnificent job on your Wildcat. These little planes look very nice wearing the Atlantic ASW paint scheme. I definitely clicked on the "like" button.

    Your Atlantic shelf is growing too !


    Kermit Weeks has a plane painted up almost identical to your model. This is a picture I took of it about 10 years ago. This one is a FM-2.

  4. Excellent result, John!
    And really nice U-Boat display!

  5. All of your planes along with that stunning U-boat, make for a dazzling display.

  6. Good neat work on this Airfix kit.

  7. Excellent looking Wildcat, John @j-healy
    Great scheme and beautifully applied.

  8. Very nice build John.

  9. Nicely done John, the display is looking good as it grows.

  10. Very nice build, John @j-healy! I love the color scheme! That Whitley looks very nice, btw. 🙂

  11. Really Cool Wildcat! Did You have any problems with close fuselage?

  12. Another great project John! Nice to see Atlantic scheme aircraft such as the Wildcat. Looking forward to the Avenger too. Just might influence me to divert one of my Pacific war American planes to the Atlantic. Phil Flory is currently building the venerable ProModeler Helldiver kit and will paint it in the Atlantic scheme.

  13. Nice looking Wildcat in Atlantic livery.

  14. I agree. That Atlantic scheme really makes it. Looks terrific, John @j-healy

  15. A fine little ASW wildcat, and looks like a nice collection to keep it company!

  16. Well done, John (@j-healy). I think the Atlantic scheme is very cool, and you have executed perfectly.

  17. Well done, John. I always liked the Atlantic scheme.

  18. Lovely Wildcat, and I like that variant of the Atlantic scheme.

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