Revell 1/32 Grumman Wildcat circa 1969

[Vaughan]

Hi all

Have made a start on the Wildcat that I bought off eBay. Thought I'd get started on it as I was waiting for the decals to arrive for the BF109G6. The Kit was complete and all on the original sprues. There are going to be a lot of fit issues mainly with the fuselage and also the cowling I can't complain considering its age. Also the under carriage has to be fitted when the fuselage halves are glued together so that might present a few problems. I gather from further research that the exposed parts of the undercarriage were in fact painted black and not green zinc chromate, so will have to change that.

There is not a great deal of detail in the cockpit area and the engine is only made up of 4 parts but still looks ok anyway here are some images of my progress so far.

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[PJP]

I built this klit many many years ago and can see already that you are making a better job than I did.

I was always fascinated byb the folding wings and will be watching with interest as the build progesses.

 

[Vaughan]

Hi All

Just a question regarding the exhaust on the Wildcat there are two blimps on the underside of the fuselage (see image) on this model are they in fact the exhausts. I don't seem to be able to find an image of this particular part so unsure.

Vaughan

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[Dave W]

One photo I have of the Wildcat shows the exhausts very clearly.They are the two lumps you refer to on the underside of the nose coming out of the rear of the engine cowling in line with the cooling flaps.Hope this helps.

 

[Vaughan]

Hi Dave

Any chance that you could post the photo on the forum.

Vaughan

 

[Dave W]

Its in a large book.Will have a go at scanning it tonight

 

[Gern]

Hi Vaughan. Don't know if this helps but ......

Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat Photo Walk Around

Gern

 

[Spyderman_uk]

Sorry for changing the subject, but that undercarriage must take up an enormous chunk of fuselage space!

 

[Vaughan]

Hi Dave

Thats a great help:biggrin:

Vaughan

 

[Dave W]

Vaughan.Gerns photos show more than the ones ive got.

 

[Vaughan]

Hi Dave

That's fine thanks for looking up the information anyway.

Vaughan

 

[Vaughan]

Hi all

Have made some progress regarding weathering the cockpit area and engine. The undercarriage has been painted black following some more research(I thought it was supposed to be green zinc chromate).

I made some seat belts from masking tape they're not brilliant but I think will look ok once viewed in situ. I have also made a start on the folding wings but I'm not sure if I will opt for them in the folded position as the hinges are quite crude.

Vaughan

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[Sky Raider]

Looking good Vaughan, keep up the good work.

Andy

 

[Vaughan]

Andy thanks for that. I have been watching your build with great interest. You attention to detail is outstanding.

Vaughan.

 

[Dave W]

Nice build Vaughan.I think your seat belts look very good,Especially considering they are home made.I remember making a Revell 1/32 Wildcat in my youth.I think its still available as the Fleet Air Arms Martlet version.

 

[Vaughan]

Hi Dave

Yes I think your right. I don't know if it is from the 1969 molds or wether it has been retooled.

Vaughan.

 

[Dave W]

Knowing Revell its probably the old moulds!.

 

[Vaughan]

Hi all

A bit more progress today managed to fit the cockpit undercarriage and engine to the left side of the fuselage and then followed up with the right half once dry. there are serious fit issues worse that I had originally thought. I had to fight with the undercarriage to line it up with its locator pin. Clamps every where and loads of tape. Left for several hours to dry and then on with the filler. I'm trying the MMD fast drying green putty for the first time so it should be interesting.

Vaughan

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[yak face]

Looking good vaughan,as far as the battle with the kit goes , id say that at the moment youre ahead on points!! I know itll turn out great though, you can still get a nice result from these older revell kits. Keep the pics coming, cheers tony

 

[Vaughan]

Hi all

More progress, I have now started the filling and sanding. The green putty seems to be going on OK. Tried a dry run with the wings, cowl, propeller and tail plane. Will need to tape wings to create the correct dihedral. I have decided the wings will remain in the open position as the hinges apart from being incorrect didn't work very well.

Vaughan

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