1:32 Scale, Trumpeter, F4F-4, 'Wildcat'

April 1, 2024 · in Aviation · · 22 · 325

Decent kit that went together very well. Building her with wings deployed was a little bit of a pain in the hind quarters, While gives you the option of folded or extended wings, I think the kit is designed more to have the wings folded. Still with some extra braces helping the hinges, I got her together. At least I'm happy with it.

I used a set of Reskit resin weighted tires to replace the icky rubber ones that come with the kit. I used Starfighter Decals. The kit's are fine, I just wanted to use these, because they are not markings you see on decal sheets. I wired up the engine with fine solder and I used a Master Detail set for the firewall, which dressed up the landing gear attachment points having real chains and gears. Looks SO much better than the kit part.

Weathering was done with Flory Washes, pastel chalk and AK Weathering Pencils. Paint overall, is custom mixed Tamiya Acrylics, some Vallejo and some Model Master.

Markings are from a machine, F21, of Fighting Eleven, (VF-11) flown from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. Lt.(jg) William 'Bill' Leonard shot down two A6M3 'Hamp' fighters with this , on 12 June, 1943.

An enjoyable build, and I will be having a go with another one, a -3, in the near future.

"So many models, so little time...!"

Reader reactions:
16  Awesome 2 

10 additional images. Click to enlarge.


22 responses

  1. Frederick @fjs3
    Your Wildcat is superb, the weathering and the paintjob are both absolutely fantastic- i love the matte look of the different shades of grey.
    May i ask where and how you used the pencils? I have some but i find it somewhat difficult to apply them, depending on the parts.

    • First, thank you for your comments.

      Second, the pencils are pretty easy to use, but it seems I only use four or five colors from the set.

      Sharpe is key. I use photographs to determine wear patterns and stains.

      Once you draw on the model with the pencils, I use a damp brush, not wet but damp, to pull back and smear the pencil (in the direction of airflow). If you don’t like it, wet Q-tip will clean it off and try again.

      I do think I need to clean up the pastels a tad as they are a little heavy.

      Thanks again for the kind words!

  2. This is a fine looking Wildcat, Frederick @fjs3
    Painting turned out really nice, also the slightly different shade on the canvas parts is a beautiful detail.

  3. Fantastic result, Frederick!

  4. Great looking wild cat , Frederick. The weather looks spot on.

  5. Well done, Ace. Was thinking on doing a dash 4 meself
    Mosquitocon Saturday.

  6. Just the right amount of dirt, grime and dust mixed with some grays to produce an outstanding Wildcat. The Header photo is what really sells the whole article. The ground level shot shows the landing gear and tires to good effect followed by the engine cowling and prop. The eyes then move over to the wings and the surface texture of the kit. But, Fredrick your efforts go beyond the plastic and give the impression of this Grumman classic.

    Two thumbs up.

  7. Stephen Towle's comments are spot-on, just a fantastic mixture for a superb model. Well done, Frederick!

  8. Well done and very nice details. Looks like a hard working Wildcat.

  9. That is a lovely Wildcat - paint and finish work is excellent.

  10. Beauty Wildcat! Love the color and tones. Well modeled. G

  11. Great work and nice choice to show a naval aircraft in a scheme other than the standard blues. I’m very impressed.

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