What do you do when you have too many great airplanes to build? You let someone else in on the action. That’s what Grumman did for their advanced “light weight” Wildcat design, built exclusively under license by General Motors as the FM-2. A lighter, feistier version of the famous F4F, the FM-2 was a stalwart addition to the many escort carriers fielded by the U.S. and British navies during World War II.
While not the first 1/72 scale kit of the FM-2, Arma Hobby’s new release is the most accurate. There are many subtle – and some not so subtle – differences between F4F and FM-2 Wildcats, and Arma Hobby seemingly hits them all. The revised cowling and exhaust for the more powerful single-row R-1830 radial is correctly depicted, as is the more obvious taller fin and rudder. Petite details and refined surface engraving mark the plastic.
This “Expert” boxing includes photo-etched metal (PE) details, masks for the canopy and wheels, and decals for six marking options. These include two in overall dark sea blue, two in the grey and white “Atlantic” scheme, one tricolor option, and a camouflaged British Fleet Air Arm Wildcat Mk.IV.
The well-appointed cockpit offers the option of a PE instrument panel or decal overlays for a plastic part with molded bezels. Using the PE panel requires removal of the molded instrument detail. Seat belts are also included along with many small details, making for a busy cockpit. I used the fuselage as an assembly jig to ensure alignment.
The forward bulkhead has a set of PE chains for the manual gear retraction mechanism — a neat detail that is visible on the finished model. Prior to gluing the fuselage, the center supports for the main gear need to be installed. The hardest part of this model is getting the main gear assembled and aligned correctly.
With care, the interior fits tightly inside the fuselage, including the nicely molded rear bulkhead. I drilled out the lightening holes in this part prior to assembly. I also drilled out the exhaust stubs on the firewall before attaching it.
The engine comprises detailed cylinders and tiny PE screens. I could not get the PE ignition-wire harness to fit, so I left it off. The three-piece cowling fits like a glove and alternate propeller bosses are supplied depending on the decal option selected; nice decals complete the prop.
The one-piece horizontal stabilizer, elevators, and rudder are all separate. The stabilizer pushes into a slot in the fin for a nice, snug fit that is correctly level — very nice! Be sure to mount the full-span elevators to the stabilizer before attaching the rudder, or you’ll have to perform surgery.
Arma has you assemble the main center-line gear mount on the retraction arms by bending the arms to the correct angle — hard to determine without the gear legs in place. Try as I might, I couldn’t get the auxiliary struts to fit; I may have trimmed them too short. I attached the main gear to the forward bulkhead once it was in place: a tense step with lots of room for error. In the end, I had a beautifully detailed assembly.
I had no problem building the wings. Don’t forget to open the holes for the underwing rockets if needed. Tiny stencil decals are provided to finish the rockets. The kit provides two drop tanks, although the painting instructions direct you to mount one under the starboard wing only, which was a common practice based on photos.
To finish, I added the tiny to the panel shroud, and attached the windscreen. The canopy masks fit well and are a welcome addition.
I painted my Wildcat with Tamiya white (XF-2) and medium blue (XF-18), and Hataka Orange Line intermediate blue (No. C027).
The decals went on without problems and the white areas are opaque enough that there was no bleed from the underlying colors.
Stencils are supplied in both white and black, depending on your scheme. Be aware that the text is missing from the profile for the first option, Mah Baby, but it is easy enough to apply the stencils using the profile for the other overall sea-blue option.
A quick 17 hours and I was ready to land Arma’s FM-2 in my display case. The kit’s detail, finesse, and precise fit impressed me. Only the landing gear proved challenging, but some of that may have been my fault. This is one cool ’Cat for your collection.
Note: A version of this review appeared in the December 2020 issue.