Trademarked Wildcat

Newest addition to Arma Hobby kits line-up goes against established trend. We get more plastic sprues, but also no Polish connection whatsoever. But apart from that- is it a good kit, or not? Let’s see.

Disclaimer

The review sample was kindly provided by the manufacturer. Thanks, Arma Hobby.

FM-2

“Why bother, when there is an Airfix kit already on the market?”- many comments of this nature popped out here and there when AH announced their next project in preparation. But the thing is that the kit released not so long ago by the Brits depicts the F4F-4 variant of Wildcat and Arma announced the FM-2 version produced by General Motors (similar, but powered by a different engine). Furthermore there was no decent model of the latter available in 1:72 scale so far- it's hard to consider the Chinese easy-kit (Hobbyboss) or elusive Czech short-run kits (Admiral/MPM/Sword) as such.

By the way- Wildcat from Airfix is not so great too, if online feedback is to be trusted (ha!). Arma Hooby has revealed intention to release the F4F-4 version in the near future as well, so then there will be time for direct comparisons.

Box

"Expert Set" with catalogue number 70031 is packed in a side-opening box with really nice art by Piotr Forkasiewicz. Typical in terms of graphic layout and size for this particular manufacturer.

Before we look inside, let's take a moment to contemplate the thrilling licensing issues that the box printing raises.

If I’m not wrong, the information shown refers to the use of the "Wildcat" name, which not so long ago Northrop Grumman SC registered as a trademark for, among others, scale model kits (because it is a common knowledge that Northrop Grumman is a well-known manufacturer of model toys, right?). In no way does this mean that the kit in question is a better representation of the original airframe, or that the American corporation helped in some way to design it. No, Arma Hobby just paid for the privilage of printing the Wildcat name on the box. That's all.

Insides

As I already mentioned in the introduction- box with a small turtle this time contains two sprues made of light grey plastic. Well... OK- one and a half, considering their size. Plus a small transparent one, a decal sheet and instruction manual.

Since we are discussing the "Expert" edition, there is also a sheet of self-adhesive masks and a small plate with photo-etched elements included.

Plastic parts in grey

The conventionally divided fuselage has been marked with a grid of fine recessed panel lines. Complemented with some raised details, such as inspection flaps hinges.

Model designer didn't attempt to replicate the overlapping of panels. You will also not find a full riveting on the parts, which with the appetites raised by the recent Yak kit can be a bit disappointing.

There aren't many details on the inner surfaces of the fuselage, but that doesn't mean that the cockpit was handled badly. About that later.

It seems that Arma Hobby does not use slide moulds technology in the production, so the cowling had to be split apart.

Only the front ring is given in one piece.

At first glance, the engine unit makes a rather mediocre impression- just a very simplified twin-row, right? Except that it’s not! The FM-2 version was equipped with a Wright R-1820 Cyclone- a single-row engine, where the spaces between the cylinders were filled with metal shields. That's just like in the model.

The above element is to be supplemented with a crankcase cover...

...and then mount on a firewall, which also features exhaust pipe ends visible under the rear edge of the engine cowling. These have subtly marked edges of the exhaust holes, but probably many modellers will decide to drill them a bit.

To the finished engine we will attach three-bladed propeller cast as one element...

...and end it all in one of two ways.

Now to the wings. Model design does not provide the possibility of making them in a folded configuration, which depending on the point of view can be considered either a plus or a minus. Thin trailing edge and position lights cast entirely with one half of the wing are on the other hand an unquestionable advantages (it's a pity that the latter solution wasn't used in the fuselage design as well- identification lights for example).

In terms of surface details, wing looks similar to the fuselage- thin panel lines and a handful of recessed and raised details. Aileron surface is indicated similarly to the recent Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc model.

The same is true for the FM-2's distinctive tall rudder, which was moulded as a separate component.

The topic of control surfaces ends with an elevator, which can also be easily tilted.

Of course after installing the horizontal stabilizer in the correct location.

Those who want to hook up a HVAR rockets (suitable for the last FM-2 production series) under the miniature, should pay attention to the inner surfaces of the wings lower halves, where markers have been placed to help out drill the appropriate mounting holes (although the trace of the mega ejector pin can be a bit inconvenient).

The rockets themselves need to be assembled from two elements each- a body...

...and rear with stabilizers- a little thick as plastic parts often are.

More pacifist modellers can instead attach a bit less explosive set of additional fuel tanks, quite nicely moulded on a second, smaller injection sprue.

Which also contains parts of cockpit interior. From the main structural elements in the form of a floor and bulkheads.

To the seat and control stick. All in all quite well detailed space, even ignoring the dedicated PE elements.

With photo-etched parts we will also enhance the rear bulkhead of the vast main gear bay, which itself looks quite nice.

As well as the entire undercarriage assembly, where the main gears...

...complemented by a number of different supports, including the more delicate ones, will create an elaborate module that can be inserted even after painting the model.

Wheels are provided in two variants, applicable to different painting options. This applies both to the tailwheel.

As well as the main wheels.

Here I would like to point out one small detail - the GOODYEAR logo (no trademark here) on the tires.

Pretty nice little thing, right?

Transparencies

There is one more plastic sprue left- the clear one, which contains the cockpit cover made in two pieces.

After quite claustrophobic Yak, again we are given the opportunity to make an open cabin. What's more important- this time it's option really worth of consideriation, because the transparent elements finally don't discourage us with their obnoxious thickness (as it was in Hurricane).

However not everything is fine and dandy here- the clarity of the "glass" leaves a bit to be desired. Especially the windscreen.

Surely not a complete tragedy, but there is definitely room for improvement.

Remaining elements (underside windows), will be used during the construction of the announced F4F-4, in a box with which we will probably find the same sprue.

Masks

Painting the canopy, in any configuration we wouldn't put it, will be easier with a small sheet of self-adhesive masks, cut in a familiar-looking yellow tape.

The same applies to the wheels- both main and the tail one.

PE

This is the "rich" version, so the photo-etched elements are also provided. A small plate contains parts of the cockpit equipment (instrument panel, seatbelts), landing gear folding system and additions to the engine unit.

Traditionally we don't find acetate foil with instrument panel in the set. The appropriate part of the decal should be used instead.

Decals

Markings set prepared by Polish Techmod let us make one of the eight planes (even though box shows only six).

The print is clear, colours saturated and I did not find any defects such as layers offset.

The sticker for the instrument panel, both in plastic and PE form, was this time divided into several segments. Good move, because getting all the instruments in the right places, while stretching the decal on raised details is not an easy task.

Seatbelts in the form of decals look slightly out of place in the "Expert" edition, but according to the manual these should be placed on the PE elements. Quite peculiar solution and considering the colours- not for me.

Decals for two additional FAA planes, not shown on the back of the box, are added as a bonus.

The method of numbering the markings, depending on their destination, deserves a special mention. For example decals for the cockpit interior are marked with the letters DC, the ones for rockets with DR and the stencils with S. Nice.

Manual

Nothing new for AH here, although due to the higher complexity of the construction (compared to previous models) the assembly drawings are rather crowded.

The extensive list of suggested paints is nice, although still without any references to Gunze acrylics.

Painting schemes have been prepared in colour and contains also decal location guide.

In most cases. A small surprise awaits fans of the boxart- corresponding scheme is slightly incomplete (which will probably be corrected in later prints).

This is not a big problem however- you can check the second one-colour machine painting scheme for help. Also the corrected manual was published on manufacturers website.

Painting options

The kit in question gives us the opportunity to make the FM-2 miniature in one of the eight ways. We get a selection of the most common painting schemes used on this variant. From Sea Blue overall, through the three-coloured standard from the Pacific Ocean, to the Atlantic anti-submarine camouflage. In addition there is also British FAA option available, if you want to build Wildcat Mk.VI from the set.

Kit painting options (via Arma Hobby)

The two diagrams missing in the above illustration are additional FAA machines, which can be made with the bonus decals.

Summary

New model released by Arma Hobby isn't as impressive as the earlier ones like Yak-1b or Hurricane Mk.IIc. Some people will probably say that the lack of riveting is a step backwards. Others will criticize the lack of folded wing option, which I personally don't mind at all.

I am very happy with the improvement made in the transparencies department. Without looking nervously for a vacu replacement we now can better show the quite well detailed cockpit. A wide range of included painting options is also an obvious strength of this kit.

In general it is not a weak set in any way. On the contrary- a fine model of Wildcat FM-2, which will probably satisfy many amateurs of US Navy wings.

The biggest problem here are the expectations caused by the previously released Arma Hobby kits. The more you have, the more you want. So… what’s next?

MMXX