When the Japanese attacked the US in 1941, the most modern fighter in the Navy was the Grumman F4F Wildcat. Although small, it was not as fast or maneuverable as the Japanese Zero fighter, but it was a very durable machine. In the hands of an experienced pilot the Wildcat could best the feared Zero and the little Grumman fighter held its own against the enemy until the more powerful Hellcat was available about a year later. Several Navy pilots became aces in the little Wildcat, among them Lt. ‘Butch’ O’Hare. Other pilots used their F4Fs to sink Japanese submarines and one even sent an enemy cruiser to the bottom. The Wildcat proved itself during the war, and even with the Hellcat entering service, production of the F4F continued. After mid-1943 they were built by GM. When production ended in 1945, a total of 7815 of the stubby little fighters had been completed. The Wildcat had a top speed of 320mph at 18,800 feet. It was armed with six .50cal machine guns. It could also carry bombs and, in later versions, five inch rockets.
Please see the paint guide below for the manufacturer’s suggested colors.
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Product Details:
Scale: 1/72
Skill Level: 2
Parts: 35
- Painting and assembly required
- 5 sprues
- Molded in grey plastic
- One decal sheet
- Clear canopy
- Pilot figure
- Display stand
- Fully engraved panel lines and rivet details
- Optional position landing gear and fuel tanks
- Illustrated instructions and paint guide
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Paint Guide:
Silver
Blue-Grey
White
Orange
Tan
Black
Yellow-Green
Grey
Yellow
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