The U.S. Navy's flagship carrier-based fighter, the F4F-4 Wildcat, is now available from Academy as a completely new-mold 1/48-scale model kit! Its panel lines and form have been recreated in intricate detail; the main wings can be assembled folded or unfolded. Photo-etched parts, canopy masking stickers, and decals for four aircraft that took part in Operation Midway are included too.

Features

• Precise details: The model is characterized by high quality of reproduction, including details of the fuselage, wings, armament and the pilot's cabin, which can be made in an open or closed version.
• Authentic Decals: The kit includes decals depicting the historical markings of US Navy aircraft used during the Battle of Midway.
• Movable elements: The set offers the possibility of folding the wings in a folded or unfolded position, which allows for greater flexibility in presenting the model.
• High-quality materials: Parts are made of durable plastic, which makes assembly easier and ensures the longevity of the model.
• Realistic scale: 1:48 scale provides the perfect combination of precision and ease of assembly, making the model an excellent choice for both beginners and advanced modelers.

Includes

• Plastic elements for self-assembly,
• Detailed assembly instructions,
• Decals with historical markings.

About the Aircraft

The Grumman F4F Wildcat was an American carrier-based fighter aircraft in a mid-wing configuration with a retractable landing gear in flight, in the classic configuration of the interwar period and World War II. Its first flight took place in September 1937, and serial production lasted from 1940 to 1945. During this time, approximately 7,900 machines of this type were produced. The aircraft, in the F4F-3 version, was 8.76 m long, with a wingspan of about 11.58 meters. The takeoff weight reached about 3,365 kilograms. The drive was provided by a single Pratt and Whitney R-1830-76 Twin Wasp engine with 1,200 hp. In turn, the maximum speed reached 533 km/h. The on-board armament consisted of 4 Browning AN/M2 machine guns caliber 12.7 mm.

The Grumman F4F Wildcat was developed for the needs of the US Navy, to replace the Grumman F3F in the line. Interestingly, it was originally intended to be a biplane, but the US Navy's clear desire to acquire a monoplane led to a revision of the entire project. Ultimately, after a series of trials and tests, a solid fighter with considerable resistance to damage and good protection for the pilot was created, but at the same time it was inferior to its main competitor in the Pacific War, the Mitsubishi A6M Zeke in terms of: maximum speed and climb, as well as clearly in the field of maneuverability. During serial production, several development versions were created, including: F4F-3 (version with the Pratt and Whitney R-1830-76 Twin Wasp engine), F4F-4 (version with side-folding wings, better armor and stronger on-board armament) and FM-1/FM-2 (modernized versions produced at General Motors plants). F4F Wildact aircraft were also supplied to the UK, where they were designated Martlet, and were frequently modernised.

F4F fighters took part in the Battle of the Atlantic and in Operation Torch in November 1942, but their main area of ‹ ‹operations was the Pacific, where they took part, among others, in the defense of Midway in 1942 and in the Battle of Guadalcanal in the period 1942-1943. From 1943 they were systematically replaced in the line by the F6F Hellcat, but they continued to serve on escort carriers as fighters and fighter-bombers. In this role they took part in the battles in the Philippines in 1944 and for Okinawa in 1945.