Arma Hobby 70033 - 1:72 FM-2 Wildcat - Model Kit

Plastic model kit of the American FM-2 Wildcat fighter in 1:72 scale

The escort carrier FM-2 Wildcat worked in the Pacific right to the end of the war, covering landings, convoys and task groups. Arma Hobby kit 70033 renders it on the tooling introduced with set 70031 and lets you build one of two aircraft from 1944-1945.

The model comprises 71 plastic parts and 5 clear ones. All the building options of the first release of this tooling are retained: posable horizontal tailplanes, two propeller spinner versions, two types of main wheels, covered or open tailwheel, separate windscreen and sliding canopy section, a clear gunsight, plus 6 rockets and 2 underwing drop tanks.

The Techmod decals cover two options: an FM-2 of VC-93 from USS Petrof Bay off Okinawa, April 1945, flown by Lt (jg) Heaterly Foster III, and an FM-2 of VC-27 from USS Savo Island in the Philippines, late 1944, flown by Lt Ralph E. Elliot Jr. Both aircraft were finished overall in Gloss Sea Blue. Besides the unit markings, the sheet carries stencils, wing walkway markings and propeller markings.

What's in the box:

• Two plastic sprues (71 parts)
• One clear sprue (5 parts)
• 6 rockets and 2 underwing drop tanks
• Building options: posable horizontal tailplanes, two propeller spinner versions, two main wheel types, covered or open tailwheel, separate windscreen and sliding canopy, clear gunsight
• Techmod decals for two marking options with stencils, wing walkway markings and propeller markings
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalogue number: 70033
• Manufacturer: Arma Hobby
• Assembled length: approx. 122 mm
• Assembled wingspan: approx. 161 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Please note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. The model requires assembly.

Building the model:

The build is enjoyable and requires no work with photo-etched parts, while still offering plenty of choice – from the position of the elevators to the wheel and spinner options. We suggest painting and finishing the cockpit before closing the fuselage halves. If you plan to display the model with an open canopy, it is worth thinking about the interior finish in advance, since the separate windscreen and sliding canopy section show it off nicely.

Both schemes are overall Gloss Sea Blue, typical of US carrier aviation in the last year of the war. With a single-colour finish, the final effect depends mainly on subtle tonal modulation, a gentle wash in the panel lines and careful decal work. We recommend applying the decals over a gloss coat to reduce silvering, then finishing the model with a satin varnish. Painting masks and photo-etched sets matching this kit are available separately if you want to add detail.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters for removing the parts from the sprues
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding sticks for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in a range of sizes or an airbrush
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Gloss varnish for decalling and satin varnish for the final finish
• Decal setting solution
• Wash for picking out panel lines and details

About the aircraft – FM-2 Wildcat:

The FM-2 Wildcat was the last and most numerous member of the Wildcat family. It was built by General Motors, which took over production of the fighter when Grumman concentrated on the much larger F6F Hellcat. The aim was a lighter and more powerful aircraft able to operate from the short decks of escort carriers.

The Twin Wasp gave way to a Wright R-1820-56 Cyclone 9 radial of about 1,350 hp, while the armament was reduced to four 12.7 mm machine guns, saving weight and allowing more rounds per gun. The extra torque of the new engine required a larger vertical tail – the taller fin is the easiest way to tell an FM-2 from earlier Wildcats. The type could also carry 5-inch HVAR unguided rockets.

FM-2s became the standard fighter of escort carriers in both main theatres. In the Atlantic they took part in anti-submarine operations, in the Pacific they covered landings and convoys, fighting among others off Samar and over Okinawa. In Fleet Air Arm service the same aircraft was known as the Wildcat Mk VI.

Original aircraft specifications (FM-2 Wildcat):

• Crew: 1
• Length: 8.81 m
• Wingspan: 11.58 m
• Powerplant: Wright R-1820-56 Cyclone 9 radial engine of approx. 1,350 hp
• Gun armament: 4 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 heavy machine guns in the wings
• External load: up to 6 x 5-inch HVAR unguided rockets or 2 x 250 lb bombs
• Maximum speed: approx. 530 km/h
• Service ceiling: approx. 10,500 m
• Distinguishing features: taller vertical tail, folding wings, manually retracted landing gear
• Production: approx. 4,700 aircraft built by General Motors

About the manufacturer – Arma Hobby:

Arma Hobby is a Warsaw-based plastic model manufacturer that has been releasing kits under this name since 2016. The brand grew out of Attack Squadron, previously known among modellers for its resin accessories, and it kept that eye for fine detail. Tooling is designed and cut in Poland, with documentation based partly on 3D scanning of surviving airframes. The company's hallmark is very fine surface reproduction – rivets and panel lines – together with thin trailing edges, crisp clear parts and well-printed decals. The catalogue covers 1:72 and 1:48, with a strong focus on Polish aviation, including the PZL P.7a, PZL P.11c and TS-11 Iskra, as well as Allied WWII types. Arma Hobby kits have won several industry awards, among them the Model of the Year title at the Nuremberg toy fair. The manufacturer also keeps developing the idea of supplementing kits with 3D-printed parts and downloadable print files.