Arma Hobby 1/72 FM-2 Wildcat
I have reached an age where the parts in 1/72 kits are both too small to see and assemble, so I don't normally stray into the smaller scale kits. I recently received this Arma Hobby 1/72 FM-2 as a gift from my friend Bernard (@lis), so I moved it to the #1 position in my build queue. I have several 1/48 Arma Hobby kits in my stash, but this was the first 1/72 Arma Hobby kit for me. The kit was nearly flawless, with fine detail on everything, including a detailed engine and cockpit. The decals allow a number of attractive options, so it was hard to choose one. I finally chose one that was operating off the USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60) in the North Atlantic in 1944. The only thing I added was a set of Eduard for the cockpit, which was probably wasted money because the kit parts are just as good. I am not sure if my skills do the model justice, but I think it came out OK. It was painted using Tamiya paints and weathered using artist's oils and Odorless Turpenoid. Thanks again, Bernard, for sending this really fun kit. Cheers, everyone.
Looks terrific. Especially the detail in the cockpit. I know exactly what you mean about working in 1/72 after years of building 1/48, George @gblair. I am tackling a 1/72nd build myself and it took me a couple of hrs today just to assemble just one landing gear composed of six minuscule pieces without breaking anything. Slow and easy and magnifying spectacles are a must!
Thanks, Eric (@eb801). You can imagine the tiny parts for the Wildcat landing gear. This was my one deviation from the instructions. They wanted you to assemble all of the gear outside of the fuselage, and then add them into the fuselage. I didn't think I could make that work, so I assembled piece by piece inside the fuselage.
I agree, looks wonderful George (@gblair). And I too am struggling with 1/72 builds. Maybe as part of retirement, we should plan on larger work shop / display areas so we can all work on and display 1/32 or 1/24 aircraft. Nah, where would be the fun in that!
The FM-2 turned out great George. I love the North Atlantic scheme, suites the Wildcat well.
Thanks, Carl (@clipper). Several things on this model were assembled by feel alone, because they were too small to see and accurately place. All of the parts eventually ended up on the plane in approximately the correct position. When we moved to our new house in Georgetown during the pandemic, it had a bonus room that is like a second floor, but it is a single room. So, I got this giant space for a workroom. I have somehow managed to fill it with a train layout, a 3D printer, a bunch of bookcases, and a bunch of display cases. Yeah for Ikea!
George R Blair Jr (@gblair)
This looks amazing ! I’m right there with you as far as not building anything in 1/72 scale anymore. My poor up close vision prohibits me from doing that now.
I commend you for completing another incredible model.
It was a pleasure to follow along with you as you built this little jewel through your construction journal.
These Wildcats didn’t get the same recognition as the “big brother” Hellcat and Corsairs did. Yet they were just as vital for operating from the small escort carriers and training units.
Many fledgling Marine and Naval aviators earned their wings of gold by learning the advanced portion of their flight curriculum while flying these.
Sadly many of these same men paid the ultimate price in the process.
Freedom is not free. It never has been nor will it ever be.
Two thumbs up and I’m definitely going to be clicking on several of the various like buttons.
Thanks, Louis (@lgardner). This was really a fun build, but I am ready for something larger, and with 3 wings. We certainly take a lot of things for granted that were won with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. Keep your head down with this storm. It looks like a big one.
George R Blair Jr (@gblair)
Three wings is a great place to start with... 🙂 If it turns out half as nice as all of your other builds do, then you will have a great looking model added to your collection.
Thank you. I'm hoping that things will go well for us. We are about as ready as we can be, all things considered. Tomorrow morning I will have it all done. The worst of it is supposed to hit us around 3PM tomorrow afternoon.
We had yet another doctor appointment today... so I didn't get to finish everything up this afternoon like I wanted to.
We should be OK though. I worry about the people who live closer to the storm than we do. I believe the worse we will get is a loss of electrical power for a while. Some years ago I removed all of the trees that surrounded our house just to be safe. I can't remember how many times I have ran calls for trees down during a hurricane, tornado, or micro burst, when I was still working at the fire department.
It's actually nice to be able to stay home during a storm for once. Poor Sandy was always here by herself before,
while being guarded by my big German Shepard... and our very close friends, Colt, Smith and Wesson.
Thanks again.
Great result, George. Wildcats rock!
Thanks, John (@j-healy). I agree, Wildcats are cool. My next one will be slightly larger, perhaps 1/48 or so.
A spectacular result, George! Definitely looks bigger than 1/721 Loved your build thread, too.
Congratulations!
Thanks, Spiros (@fiveten). The good side of this kit was that it was very detailed. The bad side was that all of these detailed parts were very small.
Very nice work on this, @gblair. The Arma 1/72 kits are nice. The other ones that are at the same level are the new 1/72 from Eduard. Their 109F and G series are nice. I have them, just haven't gotten to them. Ditto for their P-51D kits.
Thanks for the kind words, Tom (@tcinla). I enjoyed this kit, but I am shifting back to larger kits to save my eyes. I have a really long list of kits that I want to build soon. As usual, more models than time.
This is a wonderful Wildcat, George @gblair
What can I say more than what all previous gentlemen have already told, I fully agree with all their comments.
The painting and detailing of this tiny aircraft turned out superb, you even tackled the complex landing gear perfectly in this scale. I loved following your build thread.
Well done.
Thanks, John (@johnb). I appreciate your comments, as well as taking the time to follow the build. The landing gear hasn't collapsed yet, so I guess a brief deviation from the instructions was OK.
Well done, George. Always like the Atlantic scheme.
Thanks, Gary (@gwskat). The Atlantic scheme is my favorite.
Your model is really nice. Very well done. Despite my own fiddly eyesight, I have really enjoyed building all those Arma 1/72 kits.
Thanks, Dan (@dbdlee). I told my wife I was building this kit using the Braille method. I was using parts that I couldn't see, but could feel them. Now, off to build something bigger.
A fierce looking Wildcat, George. Nice work.
I have a couple of the Arma kits in 1/72 and they do look awesome.
I’m sure Bernard (@lis) would give a thumbs up 👍.
When I ordered my ‘Rx Bicfocals’ they looked at me weird asking me why they need to be, but I can’t build without them now.
Thanks, George (@georgeswork). I used to use an Optivisor, but it just seemed cumbersome. I got some "drugstore" reading glasses that are high powered, lightweight, and easy to use. Now I can see the tiny stuff again. That doesn't mean my shaky hands can work well with the parts, but at least I can see them. Cheers.
I’m glad that You enjoy build! Looks awesome!
Thanks again for your kind gift, Bernard (@lis). It was unexpected and very thoughtful. I hope you enjoy your B-24 as much as I did this kit. Cheers.
I will enjoy B-24 ☺️ I planned this build for 2025.
A beauty of a cat! Love the Atlantic scheme on anything, and my most recent Wildcat was also the Atlantic scheme. Braille or not, you succeeded!
Instead of an optivisor (which I tried - but to your point, is very cumbersome), I use a round lighted magnifying lens mounted on a large arm - only way I can build in ANY scale these days!
Thanks for your comments, Greg (@gkittinger). My wife had the big round lighted magnifier for her sewing and I borrowed it to try it out. I was constantly moving my head back and forth trying to get things in focus, so I sent it back to my wife's hobby room. I am also embarrassed to say I banged my head on it more than once. :o)
It definitely takes a bit getting used to, but since it's critical to being able to build at all, I have adapted pretty well!
Well done, George! My eyesight ain't what it used to be, but I compensate with an optivisor. Not leaving 1:72 scale for quite some time yet 🙂 And still several Arma kits in the queue.
Thanks, Sebastijan (@inflames). This was a really nice kit, so I am seriously thinking about another one from Arma Hobby.
Great job on your "Wilder" Wild Cat, George. The Arma Hobbies kits are really nice kits, their 1/72 kits details looks just like the details on a decent 1/48 scale kit. And yes, 1/72 scale does make it a bit more challenging with its smaller size, but you nailed it quite nicely on your build.
Thanks, Bob (@v1pro). You are right that this is a really nice kit. The greatest testament to the kit is that I was able to build it with almost no problems. I even managed to find all the small parts that fell into the carpet, and you can't say that for most models.
Agree on the uniqueness of the Atlantic scheme. You nailed it here. And agree on the challenges of small scale. It’s beyond my ability now. When you mention Georgetown do you mean DC or Texas?
Hi Mark (@markhedrick): This was a fun build, despite the small pieces. 1/28 next..something I can see. The one in Texas.
I spent 4 years at Southwestern University in the early 70s. Georgetown is close to my heart.
Hi Mark (@markhedrick). This is indeed a small world. We lived in San Antonio for 30 years, and then moved to Georgetown during the pandemic. My daughter, who lives in Round Rock, had our only grandchild during the pandemic. We were driving up every week, so we decided to move to Georgetown and skip all of the traffic. My daughter is the Director of Special Collections at the Southwestern University library. You probably wouldn't recognize Georgetown now. Everything has been growing like crazy. We found a new house very close to Lake Georgetown. I graduated from UT El Paso in 1973, so I think we probably share some of the same modeling challenges.
I have lived in El Paso since 1979. Recovering lawyer. I love Georgetown.
"Recovering lawyer". I haven't heard that before, Mark (@markhedrick). It is indeed a small world. I was born in El Paso, and went to high school at Irvin High. After UTEP, I spent 20 years in the Air Force as a pilot, then 20 years as an instructor in college and high school. Finally retired for good.
We have a lot of overlap and a lot in common. My son and granddaughters live near Lockhart. We were just there last weekend.
HI, Mark (@markhedrick): I just found your comment from a month ago on the FM-2. I used to have iModeler set up so that I would get a notification when someone left a comment, but it doesn't work anymore. I have tried resetting and reloading, but still doesn't work. Sometimes I don't know that someone has left a comment. Yes, you are right. A lot in common and a lot of overlap.
That Wildcat turned out very nice. I’ve never had the tall tail version. Maybe 1/72 is your true calling, I’m a new convert to 1/32. I need to trade my 1/48 kits off.
The Tamiya 1/48 F4F-4 Wildcat is in my stash of kits waiting to be built. I like the early war schemes the best from the Coral Sea battle time frame.
Hi Jay (@ssgt): Thanks for the kind words. I don't usually do 1/72, unless it is a bomber. I also really like 1/32 and have quite few models in 1/32. I am building them slowly because they take up so much space. 1/48 is a good compromise. Early war is also my era. I have several kits waiting to go, especially the Hobby Boss TBD-1. Thanks for stopping by.