F4F-4 Wildcat “Operation Torch”
Another Wildcat from Arma Hobby? Which one? 72nd scale F4F-4? Wait a minute… We’ve already had those. Let’s check it out anyway.
Disclaimer
The review sample was kindly provided by the manufacturer. Thanks, Arma Hobby.
Fourth time is a charm
Modellers wishing to build a 1:72 F4F-4 Wildcat have already been targeted by Arma Hobby on three separate occasions. A brand new kit was launched in 2021 as an “Expert Set” (catalogue number 70047), followed shortly thereafter by an accessory-free “Model Kit” (70048).
The end of 2022 brought us the “Cactus Air Force” themed twin-pack (70049), which also featured the mentioned miniature.
In the meantime the company's release policy has changed and now, instead of a reissue of the first edition, a set subtitled “Operation Torch” was introduced to the market.
Overview
Side-opening box of the usual size, attractive boxart, catalogue number 70065.
Inside two light grey plastic sprues, single transparent one, self-adhesive masks, decals and a manual.
Nothing we haven't seen before.
Too much plastic
Except one small thing. This edition comes with a fairly substantial amount of plastic overflows featured on the larger grey sprue. That’s the one with fuselage halves and wings.
Thankfully there is not much to worry about, as the vast majority of the excess material is formed around the inlet channels of the sprue.
Exactly one part is affected, numbered 13, which is the carburettor pipes mounted on the rear of the engine unit. Fortunately the flash is thin and easy to remove, I’ve checked.
The remaining parts on the larger sprue, as well as the entire smaller one (with cockpit details, underwing loadout etc.) look exactly as they did in the earlier editions. So to avoid repeating myself to much – feel free to check out one of the earlier reviews for a closer inspection of those parts. For example the article regarding the “Model Kit” release.
Transparencies
The third and final injection moulded sprue, made of transparent plastic, contains the cockpit glazing elements.
Parts breakdown allows for an open cockpit build.
The distinctive belly windows are also here.
All with pretty decent thickness and clarity.
Masks
Painting the canopy frames will be easier with the included masks, cut in the well-known and much-loved yellow adhesive paper.
The same applies to the undercarriage wheels.
Decals
The decal sheet included in the kit is as usual the result of a collaboration with Techmod company.
Which means high quality print and no complaints from me.
One will find here also some elements for the cockpit, such as the on-board instrument gauges.
And if someone really, really wants to, can also use the pilot’s straps prepared in this form.
Manual
Nice and clear assembly drawings included in the booklet are “copy-pasted” from the earlier “Model Kit” edition.
In which there was no British option, hence the correction slip attached.
The suggested paints list, recycled from the initial “Expert Set”, doesn't take into account the revised “Real Colors” (AK-Interactive) numbering.
Paint schemes as usual in colour.
With decal placement key.
Digital bonus
The manual also contains a link for downloading a STL file with accessories for 3D printing: seat with harness, cockpit levers details, two bombs with racks, gun barrels, wheel bay chains, exhaust pipes and engine ignition ring.
Accessories for 3D printing (Arma Hobby)Elements known from the “Cactus Air Force” special edition (see review).
Painting options
The markings included in the kit let you finish the model in one of three liveries, which are shown on the back of the box.
F4F-4 „3512/29-GF-10”, squadron VGF-29, USS Santee, Operation Torch, November 8, 1942.
Kit painting option (Arma Hobby)F4F-4 „8-26”, squadron VGF-27, ex-Operation Torch earoplane, Guadalcanal, April 8, 1943.
Kit painting option (Arma Hobby)Martlet II „AJ148/Ø-7A”, 888 FAA Squadron from carrier HMS Formidable, Oran, Algeria, December 14, 1942.
Kit painting option (Arma Hobby)All three previously appeared in the initial “Expert Set” edition (see review).
Summary
The “Operation Torch” release can hardly be called a brand new. The same sprues with the same painting options have been offered by Arma Hobby before. Indeed, this kit does not so much expand the catalogue of 1:72 models of the said manufacturer as it replaces an item that is no longer available.
A bit worrying is the overflow of plastic on the main sprue. Often this is a sign of wear on the tooling, but in this case we are dealing with a model that premiered in 2021, so quite recently. Perhaps this is simply the result of some oversight at the injection stage, who knows. The main thing is that the defects mentioned are mainly limited to areas that are, from a modeller's point of view, completely unimportant.
All in all, an interesting position for 1:72 scale enthusiasts (those who don’t own the first edition, that is).
I like it.
MMXXIV