The first test shots of the 70090 F4F-3 Wildcat 1/72 kit have arrived. This is always one of the most important moments of the project — the point when a digital design becomes a real plastic model for the first time.
And it looks very promising.
Even at this stage, it is clear that the surface details, engineering breakdown and overall quality of the sprues came out exactly as we intended when designing the kit from scratch.
The Arma Hobby Wildcat is not a modification of the later F4F-4. All major components were developed entirely from new tooling to accurately reproduce the features of the early F4F-3 from the first period of the Pacific War. All sprues are completely newly tooled.
What can be seen on the first sprues?
Among other features, the kit includes:
- correct non-folding wings of the F4F-3 version,
- different placement of the two wing-mounted machine guns compared to later Wildcats,
- redesigned landing gear making the characteristic Wildcat arrangement much easier to assemble,
- a complete set of characteristic air intakes for different production variants,
- two variants of engine cowling,
- bombs used by VMF-211 Marines on Wake Island and by some U.S. Navy carrier squadrons.
We also devoted a lot of attention to the clear sprue. It contains canopy parts for all versions planned within the F4F-3 family, including:
- a version with telescopic sight,
- framed canopy variants,
- and the characteristic Arma Jig to make assembly and transport easier.
From test shots to the first build
The photos still show some minor short shots and small amounts of flash typical of very early test shots. This is a normal stage of the technological process before the final adjustment of production parameters.
What matters most, however, is that the geometry, engineering and details already look very good on the first sprues.
The model is already being assembled by Marcin Ciepierski, so we will soon show the first completed Wildcat build.
If everything goes according to plan, the kit will enter regular production within the next few days.
See also:
- See the Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat kit in the Arma Hobby store
More sprue photos:
70090 F4F-3 Wildcat – trzy samoloty, które stanęły przeciw potędze Japonii
Modeller happy enough to work in his hobby. Seems to be a quiet Aspie but you were warned. Enjoys talking about modelling, conspiracy theories, Grand Duchy of Lithuania and internet marketing. Co-founder of Arma Hobby. Builds and paints figurines, aeroplane and armour kits, mostly Polish subject and naval aviation.
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