1/48 Wildcat VI (FM-2).
I finally got to build my first Eduard Wildcat. Eduard hit a home run with this one. Not only is it an accurate FM-2, but Eduard really raised the bar for 1/48 Wildcats. This kit renders the Tamiya Wildcat obsolete and in my opinion leaves the Hobby Boss kits (with the exception of their terrible FM-2, which is truly awful)in second place.
Everything fit like a glove on this one. I only used a bit of Mr. Surfacer on the underside near the landing gear which I think was due to me not removing enough paint from the firewall edges before I glued the fuselage halves together. The navigation lights are a real highlight of this kit and look very realistic when installed. The only bad part of this model involves the rocket fins as pointed out by Tom Cleaver. I destroyed a couple removing them from the sprue and ended up just installing the stubs. Kudos to Louis Gardener for successfully using his.
My Wildcat represents a 794 NAS example based at Eglinton, N. Ireland in 1945. 794 Sq. was a training unit that provided Swordfish and Wildcat crew for the Royal Navy. The combination of the yellow codes and the late war full color wing roundels make this one an eye catcher. It took both Aeromaster and Techmod decals to do this plane accurately. Techmod's sheet features the plane but includes incorrect white codes. Aeromaster did decals for this plane with correct yellow codes but provided the wrong wing roundels. Mix and match.
The GSB is Xtracolor and everything else is Humbrol in the paint department. I used an Eduard Sutton harness in the cockpit and added a rear view mirror from scratch. The FM-2 is a model that I've wanted for a long time and will start another one soon from an Overtrees set. Eduard includes two full sets of instrument panel decals in the Profipack kit in addition to the PE option that I used on this one. That's a nice touch.
Happy Holidays and happy modeling!
Excellent build, John.
Thanks, Rafi!
Nicely done, John!
Something about that scheme is very eye appealing for an overall blue color. Well done!
Thanks, Gary. Yes, it’s not often we see that much color on a WW2 GSB plane.
That's one sharp build John.
And unique RN scheme.
Thanks, Dan. Yes, it’s different and finally adds a GSB a/c in British service to my display case.
Beautiful work John, clean and carefully built. Even though I don't make a second war, your model directly encourages me to build one as well.
Thanks, Milan. Can’t go wrong with this kit.
That is excellent work there, @j-healy. A superb result. I really like that look.
Thanks, Tom. It’s such a great kit.
Excellent achievement, John @j-healy
She looks really great in this dark scheme.
Thanks, John!
Truly superb result, John!
Thanks, Spiros!
Excellent build of an excellent kit - love the scheme. I wish every manufacturer would do nav lights like Eduard did with this one!
Thanks, Chas. Eduard really did the lights right on this one.
🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
Very nice eye candy John, somehow this Wildcat model is so refreshing to look at.
Even the decals stand out, beautiful work.
Thank you, sir.
Gorgeous Wildcat! A question: When and why did the name change from Martlet to Wildcat?
Thanks, Robert. Mid ‘44 for the name change. It simplified supply chain paperwork. Same story for the Tarpon which reverted to the American Avenger name at the same time.
A nice clean build, John. @j-healy
Thanks, John!
John Healy (@j-healy)
This looks fantastic ! It really pops with the Yellow code letters and late war style roundels. Your paint and finish look spot on.
I agree with you that Eduard has definitely hit a home run with these new tool FM-2's. I got lucky when I cut my rocket fins off the plastic trees. I used a Tamiya razor saw blade to do it, and I think that really helped. Then it took some serious time with a file, and some sanding sticks before I could use them. I almost quit on several occasions. But being stubborn paid off.
I grabbed two more of these Eduard "Overtrees" kits. I plan on building a FAA plane like you have done, but it will probably be the camouflage version that came as one of the original "Wilder Cat" kit decal options. I'm thinking about going with the Atlantic scheme or possibly a Tri Color finish for the other one. However, the plane with the Shamrock tail has been calling me too. It's going to be a hard choice to make...
Thanks for sharing this beauty with us.
I definitely clicked on several of the various "like" buttons.
Merry Christmas !
Thanks, Louis! Your build log helped a lot . I’m leaning towards a tricolor for my next one and will probably use six unused rockets from the Monogram F9F-5P kit, suitably modified.
Well done, John (@j-healy). I love seeing American planes in British colors. The colors and markings make it look like a different plane. I'm with you-I really like the yellow code letters.
Thanks, George!
Nice looking cat John. Looks especially good in RN markings.
Thanks, Dale!
Very nice, and a colorful choice for markings - they really stand out against that dark background.
Thanks, Greg!
Your Wildcat looks beautiful John. I really would like to pick up one of these Eduard Wildcats. I think the only 1/48th scale one I have is the old Monogram one.😉
Thanks, Clint. Buy with confidence!
Now that's a very clean looking Cat!
I love it. The decals come out great on this scheme, a stunner.
Love this