Introduction

Grumman F4F Wildcat has been a popular modelling subject during recent years, the interest undobtedly boosted by some attractive new kits of this robust aircraft – Tamiya in 1/48th scale, and Hasegawa in 1/72nd, to name just two of them.

Although we don’t have a proper Wildcat walkaround (that’s not our fault – at NASM, where the pictures were taken, you simply can’t walk around the Wildcat – the hall is overcrowded with other aircraft), we can present a few pictures of interest to the modellers. These are the spots of the airframe which would require most attention when detailing the model.

The pictures below have been taken att National Air And Space Museum, Washington D.C..

F4F-3 in Detail

Front view of the aircraft. Engine and propeller detail can be seen to good advantage here. The engine is in pristine condition, which makes it appear very light in color – no oil stains here!

A modeller’s headache can be superdetailer’s dream: Wildcat’s undercarriage assembly and wheel well.