#153 FM-2 Wildcat

Building the FM-2 Wildcat from Sweet in 1:144, converted for in-flight with motorized propeller.

Build

Here’s a quick demo..

Notes

Late in the war, the F4F Wildcat was obsolete as a front line fighter compared to the faster F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair, however they were adequate for small escort carriers against submarine and shore threats.

At first, GM produced the FM-1, identical to the F4F-4, but reduced the number of guns to four, and added wing racks for two 250 lb (110 kg) bombs or six rockets. Production later switched to the improved FM-2 optimized for small-carrier operations, with a more powerful engine (the 1,350 hp (1,010 kW) Wright R-1820-56), and a taller tail to cope with the torque.

The Kit

Sweet kit No. 14103 includes two 1:144 U.S. Navy Fighter GM FM-2 Wildcats. The sprues even include the little cat mascot.

See instructions

14103-kit-box

Paint Scheme

I’ve chosen to depict scheme A/C#2 VC-80, CVE-61, USS Manila Bay. It has tail code 11 under an inverted V.

USS Manila Bay (CVE-61) was a Casablanca-class escort carrier of the United States Navy. Operations: Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, Western New Guinea campaign, Battle off Samar, Battle of Mindoro, Invasion of Lingayen Gulf, Operation Magic Carpet

Feature	Color	Recommended	Paint Used
camo 1	FS 15042 Gloss Sea Blue	H54	AK11864
camo 2	FS 35164 Intermediate Blue	H56	AK11865
lower fuselage	FS 37925 White	H316	AK11868
n/a	FS 36231 Dk Gull Gray
prop hub	Silver		SM204 Super Stainless 2
prop tips	Orange Yellow		RCM004
prop and tires	Black		H12