Grumman FM-1 Wildcat/Martlet 1/48 Tamiya

Grumman FM-1 Wildcat/Martlet aircraft in 1/48 scale. Tamiya Reference 61126.

Model to assemble and paint. Paints and glue not included.

Wingspan: 242mm
Length: 184mm

Based on the Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat (P/N 61034), this kit accurately reproduces the FM-1 version with markings for the U.S. Navy and Royal Navy, as well as a pilot figure at the controls. The deployment of the Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat - one of the U.S. Navy's main carrier-borne fighters - began in 1940, and in 1942 appeared the folding-wing F4F-4 reducing the footprint on the deck of aircraft carriers while the number of 12.7mm machine guns increased from four to six. With this increased armament, armor, robust airframe, and pilots' tactics, the F4F-4 was more than on par with the Japanese Zero. Later replaced by more powerful aircraft such as the F6F Hellcat and the F4U Corsair, the F4F continued to serve from smaller escort carriers.

While Grumman focused on the production of the F6F, General Motors' Eastern Aircraft Division took over the production of the F4F-4 variant designated FM. The first FM-1 series was virtually identical to the F4F-4, except for the reduction in the number of machine guns (from six to four). The Wildcat was used by the Royal Navy under the name Martlet (a fictional bird often seen in the English coat of arms). The Martlet Mk.V corresponded to the FM-1. This aircraft continued to be used for anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort until the end of the war.

• 1/48 scale assembly kit. Fuselage length: 184mm
• Compact, muscular FM-1 shapes faithfully reproduced.
• Finely rendered surface details with panel lines and rivets.
• Wings conforming to this version with only four machine guns.
• Complex landing gear structure realistically figured.
• Rear-view mirror specific to the Royal Navy Martlet Mk.V version included.
• Three marking options:
846th Fighter Squadron, Royal Navy, HMS Tracker (D24), Normandy, June 1944
58th Mixed Fighter Squadron, U.S. Navy, USS Guadalcanal (CVE-60), North Atlantic, January 1944
33rd Mixed Fighter Squadron, U.S. Navy, USS Nassau (CVE-16), off California, September 1943
• Adhesive canopy masks and pilot figure.

Recommended paints: