1:48 FM-2 Wildcat - canopy mask (for Eduard kits)

Precisely cut coverage of the cockpit of the Wildcat

Stencils for the framing of the sliding canopy of the FM-2 Wildcat carrier fighter in 1:48 scale. The cockpit here is made up of narrow frames and small panes, so outlining it by hand takes longer than all the rest of the painting. The pieces are cut for the Eduard kit.

The sharpest of the cats

The FM-2 was not built by Grumman but by the aircraft division of General Motors, so that the original factory could devote itself fully to larger machines. The aircraft went through a slimming course in the process: it received a lighter airframe and at the same time a more powerful single-row radial engine. To handle the greater torque, its vertical tail grew. The target was small escort carriers, whose short decks were not enough for heavier machines. At the end of the war the type notched up a remarkable kill ratio and became famous defending invasion forces.

Building advice

• The frames are narrow, so seat the pieces under a magnifier.
• Apply the interior green before you fit the canopy.
• Spray the paint lightly, so that it does not creep under the thin edges.
• Do not forget to cover the side windows behind the cockpit as well.

Suitable for

• Builders of carrier fighters of the Second World War.
• Modelers who do not want to spend an evening outlining frames.
• Those interested in escort carrier aircraft.
• Those who build US Navy machines in the dark blue finish.