1:48 FM-1 Wildcat ADVANCED

The real subject

At the start of the war the Wildcat was the main carrier fighter of the US Navy and, despite its stocky fuselage, it did better than was expected of it. The wing folded back along the fuselage, so more machines fitted side by side on deck. The landing gear retracted into the fuselage and had a very narrow track, which made landing on a pitching deck a small adventure every time. The designation FM-1 belongs to one of the production versions of this type.

What the set offers

This is an accessory set for a model of the FM-1 Wildcat in 1:48 scale. The word ADVANCED in the name sets this form apart within the range of accessories for the same machine. The list of parts and which part of the kit they replace is given in the instructions from the manufacturer enclosed with the package.

Building and painting tips

The parts are not polystyrene, so glue for plastic models will not join them: use super glue, and epoxy on larger mating surfaces. Cut the excess material away with a sharp blade a little from the part and sand what remains. Always try the seating dry, because accessories often call for small leveling of the mating surface. Before painting, wash and degrease the parts and lay a thin coat of primer under them.

Who it is for

The set belongs to a modeler who wants to take the Wildcat beyond the contents of the box and is not afraid of small work. Tweezers with a fine point, a sharp blade and good light come in useful; small parts are harder to find on a bench than one would expect. The contents of the delivery follow the information from the manufacturer; the kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.