The F4F Wildcat entered service with the US Navy in 1940. Heavy, rugged, and well-armed for its time, the Wildcat was not as fast or maneuverable as its nemesis, the Mitsubishi Zero, but through the skill of pilots like Jimmy Thach and Butch O’Hare, it finished the war with a 6.9 to 1 kill ratio. This Tamiya kit represents the FM-1 Wildcat as manufactured by Eastern Aircraft under license from Grumman. Markings are provided for either the US FM-1 Wildcat or the British lend-lease Martlet V.

Highlights:

• 1/48 scale model kit
• New 2023 Release
• Grumman FM-1 Wildcat/Martlet Mk.V
• Masterpiece Series No.126
• 1/48 scale plastic model assembly kit. Fuselage length: 184mm.
• The kit accurately depicts the FM-1 wing the correct weapons configuration, the modified access hatches, deleted ejection ports, and magazine access panels.
• Includes a new rear-view mirror specific to the Marlet Mk.V of the Royal Navy.
• Features very delicate surface detail with panel lines and rivets.
• The complex fuselage-mounted main landing gear is accurately depicted.
• Comes with decals to depict 3 marking options:
  • 846th Fighter Squadron, Royal Navy, HMS Tracker (D24), Normandy, June 1944
  • 58th Mixed Fighter Squadron, U.S. Navy, USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60), North Atlantic, January 1944
  • 33rd Mixed Fighter Squadron, U.S. Navy, USS Nassau (CVE-16), California Coast, September 1943
• The Royal Navy subject features the black and white invasion stripes as seen on Allied aircraft during the Normandy Campaign
• Painting masks provided for the canopy, one sitting pilot figure, and a black-and-white painting guide are included

Assembly and painting required. Kit does not include model cement glue, paint, and tools. Adult supervision where required.

FIGHTER - GRUNMMAN FM-1 WILDCAT / MARTLET MK.V - 1/48 - TAMIYA is categorised DIE-CAST AND SCALE MODELS / MODEL KITS / AIRPLANES and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.