Held over from before Christmas by lack of an internet connection, here's a look at the first of Hobby Boss's new series of 1/48 scale Wildcats - a kit suffering from something of an identity crisis...

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If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Great review Rowan.
Now looking through my very limited references and the web, I think the P&W R-1830-86 was fitted to the "Later" F4F-3 Wildcats and the F4F-4, ( but the F4F-4 had six machine guns not 4 as on the F4F-3) . So would A.M decals for "later" aircraft be correct ?
Andy (getting all confused, again )

Hi Andy

Well... partly. According to Squadron, later F4F-3s (BuNos 3836-3874) had the carburettor scoop moved to inside the lip of the cowling. The last F4F-3s (BuNos 3970-4057 & 12230-12329) had the scoop inside and extra cooling flaps as well. You'd also need the later-style windscreen, with no extra framing or hole for the telescopic sight. So Hobby Boss's kit is neither fish nor fowl as it stands.

All the best

Rowan

Thanks Rowan. I thought there would be more to it then just the engine.
I'll just build it OOB then and be damned by the rivet counters . Now to decide what machine to inaccurately model .
Andy

Hi Andy

When I left work yesterday I saw ModelZone have got the new Late F4F-3, F4F-4 and FM-2 in stock. I was in a rush, so I didn't have a chance to examine them. I might take a chance and grab the FM-2 this week...

All the best

Rowan

Is the FM-2 out already. I know they released the FM-1 not long ago.
Looks like a shopping trip to Modelzone next week for me too then .
Andy

Hi Andy

Maybe it was an FM-1 - I was rushing to get home after working on what should have been a day off! All I saw was a bunch of new Wildcat boxes!

I'll probably give it a miss then - I've got a back-load of other reviews that I must make my priority and I want to get on with a certain Hellcat...

All the best

Rowan

Thanks for the review Rowan,
good to see you back on the internet.

Hi Rowan!

Very nice and instructive review!

With those markings problems, I think this model is a perfect candidate for Mal's Miracle Masks...

Jean-Luc