F4F-4 Wildcat Expert Set

Arma Hobby kit review

As promised, Arma Hobby continues the theme started over a year ago, with the release of another Wildcat version – this time it’s the F4F-4, 1:72 scale of course. Let’s take a closer look at it.

Disclaimer

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

F4F-4

Tired, old comment: “Why? There’s Airfix!", thrown around some earlier Arma Hobby releases, finally makes some sense in this case, albeit not too much. The Brits actually released exactly this Wildcat version kit a few years ago (2015 to be exact). As a matter of fact, 1:72 F4F-4 can be found in many scale modelling companies catalogues – I won’t even try to list them all here. There is a lot to choose from, but most of those are quite old and leave something to be desired. Even the relatively fresh Airfix attempt did not impress many modellers. So there is certainly room for a new, high quality miniature.

Outside

The kit which will be examined is an “Expert Set” with catalogue number 70047. Side opening box of a standard for this manufacturers size and characteristic for the series graphic layout, with really nice boxart by Piotr Forkasiewicz.

Just as in the case of the previously released FM-2 model (also reviewed here), we are dealing with a licensed product. Which means that the kit manufacturer paid Northrop Grumman for the "privilege" of using the Wildcat name.

Insides

Two light grey plastic sprues, one transparent, sizeable decals sheet and a manual. Plus small photo etched details plate and self-adhesive masks – it’s “Expert Set” after all.

Needless to say, the model is based to some extent on the previously released Wildcat variant, hence we are already familiar with some of the injection sprues. All except the largest one, which contains all of the new plastic parts.

Closer inspection

Let’s get down to specifics, starting with the fuselage. Which looks just like in the FM-2 model, of course taking into account version differences (such as the F4F-4 underside cockpit windows).

Grid of fine recessed panel lines, plus some raised details such as inspection flaps hinges. The overlapping of panels was not replicated and there is no complete riveting present.

Handful of details on the inner surfaces, but that doesn’t mean that the cockpit was handled poorly. About that later.

Arma Hobby doesn’t use slide moulds technology in the production, so the engine cowling has to be assembled from a couple of pieces.

This also applies to the British variant (Martlet II), which can be built from this kit too.

The engine unit is an area to which the model designer has paid particular attention. Miniature Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp has two separate rows of cylinders.

Each complemented by a separate ring with pushrods covers.

Plus carburettor intake pipes for the rear.

And two front covers versions (Wildcat/Martlet).

Quite nice already, but that’s not all. Assembled engine goes on the firewall.

On the other side of which another piece is mounted, with the radiators (and some small sinkholes).

Then there’s the part with the starter.

And some engine frame fragments.

Including oil reservoir on the upper one.

Wrapping up the subject of propulsion, we should also mention the exhausts.

And three-bladed propeller.

Which can be topped in one of two ways (Wildcat/Martlet)

Now to the wings. Surface details looks similar to the fuselage – thin engraved panel lines and a handful of recessed and raised details.

Although the latter ones are definitely more numerous on the lower surfaces.

Which are further complemented by radiator covers with quite acceptable edges.

The control surfaces are indicated in the same way as were on the earlier FM-2, both on the wings and the all-new rudder.

In the picture above you can also see the tailwheel – the last newly designed plastic element of the kit in question. This brings us to the small sprue, already known from the previously released Wildcat FM-2. We can find here a separate elevator that can be tilted without any trouble.

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

Additional fuel tanks can be installed under the wings, as long as you don’t forget to drill mounting holes in the lower wing halves (don’t worry, the manual reminds you to do this at the appropriate point).

Small sprue also contains parts for the 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 compartment, even ignoring the dedicated PE elements supplied in this edition.

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 into the model even after the painting.

In order to help those who found this stage of construction difficult in the FM-2 model (and I have seen quite a few comments like this), the manufacturer added a template to make assembling the landing gear supports easier. Nice.

Inclusion of the sprue from FM-2 comes with some "bonuses". We get the main landing gear wheels in two versions, but this time we will need only one of them.

The same applies to the tail wheel. The correct one for F4F-4 variant was already shown in one of the earlier photos, so the two versions from the "recycled" sprue won’t be used.

Transparencies

One more frame with plastic elements remained to be discussed – the transparent one, known from the earlier FM-2 kit. So it’s not a surprise that we have the possibility of making an open cockpit – windshield and the sliding part of the canopy have been designed as a separate parts.

With quite decent thickness. Little worse as far as transparency is concerned, but there is no tragedy.

Unless we take into account those ugly scratches on the windscreen, which I found on my unit.

Hard to blame the model manufacturer though, considering the condition in which the package with the model arrived to me.

Well, you can a bit – the sprue with transparencies is packed together with the rest of plastic, without any additional protection, which could help at least a little in such unfortunate situations.

Masks

The included sheet of self-adhesive foil differs slightly from that found in the "Expert" FM-2 kit. One – there are masks for the bottom cockpit windows present in the F4F-4. Two – this time it was made using Orafol foil, not the well-known and popular Kabuki paper.

However this last change was not planned by the manufacturer, but was induced by logistical difficulties.

PE

The sheet with photo-etched details is another element that looks similar to the one in FM-2, but is somewhat different. While for example the instrument panel or the seatbelts are the same, the additions dedicated to the engine unit are naturally different. There are also bomb racks that can be used with one of the paint schemes available in the kit.

Traditionally there is no transparent foil with instrument panel indicators included. The appropriate part of the decal sheet should be used instead.

Decals

The substantial markings sheet was printed by Polish Techmod and it’s difficult to find anything to complain about.

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

Small stencils can be easily read.

Apart from external markings there are also bits for the interior (two sets), such as the instrument panel or seatbelts (which according to the manual should be applied onto the PE belts – this doesn’t look like the best idea for me).

Personally, I’m very pleased to see engine data plates included here as well (great!).

And even more so due to the printing of the whole thing on a slightly darker backing paper than usual, which makes it much easier to see tiny, bright elements. On the downside, the instructions completely omit the use of the black stripes (S1, S2) – probably the wing walkways.

Manual

Printed on glossy paper, the brochure is designed in the manufacturer’s typical style.

The designer has taken to the heart the complaints appearing here and there about the FM-2 model’s level of difficulty. The drawings illustrating the critical moments of construction process are larger, additional projections, colours and renders are present.

The list of suggested paints includes numbers from Hataka (Orange Line), AK Interactive (Real Colors), Lifecolor, AMMO, Humbrol (!), Vallejo and Tamiya palettes.

As usual, the paint schemes have been prepared in colour and also include information about decals placement.

On the last page we can find compressed guidelines for the colours and markings of several additional machines.

Painting options

The kit in question proudly shows off six markings versions on the back of the box – five US Navy machines plus a single British one. Citing the manufacturer, we have Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat, white 84, squadron VMF-121, Cpt. Joe Foss (26 aerial victories), Guadalcanal, October / November 1942.