Tag: f4f wildcat

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Arma Hobby Releases Completely New Tool F4F-3 Wildcat Kit

Arma Hobby has released their completely new tool F4F-3 Wildcat in 1/72 scale.

As previously reported, the offering (70090) represents the early Wildcat from the opening months of the Pacific War and is made from completely new molds created specifically for this version. It includes plastic parts, canopy and wheel masks, and a 3D print digital file containing seat with harness, exhaust pipes, landing gear opening mechanism chains, cockpit control lever set, and gun barrels. Decals are also included with marking options for three aircraft: “F-5”, VF-2, USS Lexington, flown by Lt. Albert O. Vorse Jr.; BuNo 4019 “211-F-11”, VMF-211; “F-13”, VF-3, USS Lexington.

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First Look: Test Sprues For Arma Hobby’s Completely New Tool F4F-3 Wildcat

Arma Hobby has released the first test sprue shots for their completely new tool F4F-3 Wildcat in 1/72 scale.

The company states that even at this stage the surface details, engineering breakdown and overall quality of the sprues align with their design goals. They reflect the F4F-3’s non-folding wings and different placement of the two wing-mounted machine guns compared to later Wildcats. They also include redesigned landing gear making the characteristic Wildcat arrangement much easier to assemble, a complete set of characteristic air intakes for different production variants, two variants of engine cowling and bombs used by VMF-211 Marines on Wake Island and by some U.S. Navy carrier squadrons.

As previously reported, the offering (70090) represents the early Wildcat from the opening months of the Pacific War and is made from completely new molds created specifically for this version. It includes plastic parts, canopy and wheel masks, and a 3D print digital file containing seat with harness, exhaust pipes, landing gear opening mechanism chains, cockpit control lever set, and gun barrels. Decals are also included with marking options for three aircraft: “F-5”, VF-2, USS Lexington, flown by Lt. Albert O. Vorse Jr.; BuNo 4019 “211-F-11”, VMF-211; “F-13”, VF-3, USS Lexington.

Click below to check out additional images.

Continue reading First Look: Test Sprues For Arma Hobby’s Completely New Tool F4F-3 Wildcat

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Arma Hobby to Release Completely New Tool F4F-3 Wildcat

Arma Hobby has announced the upcoming release of a new tool F4F-3 Wildcat in 1/72 scale.

The offering (70090) represents the early Wildcat from the opening months of the Pacific War and is made from completely new molds created specifically for this version. It includes plastic parts, canopy and wheel masks, and a 3D print digital file containing seat with harness, exhaust pipes, landing gear opening mechanism chains, cockpit control lever set, and gun barrels. Decals are also included with marking options for three aircraft: “F-5”, VF-2, USS Lexington, flown by Lt. Albert O. Vorse Jr.; BuNo 4019 “211-F-11”, VMF-211; “F-13”, VF-3, USS Lexington.

The kit is currently set for release sometime in May. Click below to check out livery profiles and kit contents.

Continue reading Arma Hobby to Release Completely New Tool F4F-3 Wildcat

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F4F Wildcat vs 6M2-N ‘Rufe’ Battles Brought to Life in New Illustrated Study

Set for release later this year from Osprey Publishing is F4F Wildcat vs A6M2-N “Rufe”: Solomon Islands 1942–43, author Michael John Claringbould’s illustrated study of engagements between the F4F Wildcat and 6M2-N ‘Rufe’ during the Solomon Islands campaign.

A number of unique confrontations took place between floatplanes and land-based fighters during the fierce aerial battles fought above the Solomon Islands throughout 1942–43. Whilst the most famous Battle of Guadalcanal ‘slugfests’ saw US Marine Corps/US Navy F4F Wildcats engage the Zero-sens of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force, the pugnacious Wildcats also came up against the A6M2-N ‘Rufe’ floatplane – termed the ‘Zero on floats’ by American pilots. Such encounters have gone under-explored and misrepresented in Western histories, with the elusive capabilities of the ‘Rufe’ and its role combatting raids against Guadalcanal receiving only scant attention.

In this revelatory study, Pacific War expert Michael John Claringbould uncovers an aspect of the Pacific air war that has, until now, remained largely unknown. Operational documents, combat reports and first-hand accounts from both Wildcat and ‘Rufe’ pilots are combined to help align adversaries, in some cases one-on-one, for the first time in print, while archive photographs, formation diagrams and newly commissioned artwork brings the action to life.

The 80 page publication is currently available for pre-order in paperback and Kindle editions with release set for August 25.

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