FM-1 & FM-2 Wildcat - Deluxe Set
Arma Hobby 70050

Double combo. Set includes two different versions of Wildcat, with photoetched parts and masks for each of them. Extra photoetched parts for FM-1 conversion. Two carrier flight deck sections from plywood.

Box includes

• one set of FM-2 plastic parts
• one set of F4F-4 plastic parts with conversion to FM-1
• Photoetched parts for both models
• Canopy and wheel masks for both models
• Decals with eight markings options (four for each version)
• Two laser engraved plywood flight deck sections from "Casablanca" class escort carrier14.5 x 14.5 cm

Markings options:

FM-1 Wildcat:

• FM-1 Wildcat, no. A32/S31, VC-33 squadron, USS Nassau CVE-16, 6 September 1943, during training on the California coast, shortly before embarkation on USS Coral Sea CVE-57.
• FM-1 Wildcat, no. 7, VC-6 squadron, USS Core CVE-13, 16 December 1943, during anti-submarine patrols over the North Atlantic.
• Wildcat V, no. JV439/C9-N, 733 Naval Air Squadron, piloted by Sub-Lieut. Griffiths, Trincomalee airfield, Ceylon, 1945.
• Wildcat V, no. JV579/F, “That Old Thing”, 846 Naval Air Squadron, aircraft carrier HMS Trumpeter/Eglington airfield. The unit provided anti-submarine cover during the Normandy landings of June 1944.

FM-2 Wildcat:

• FM-2 Wildcat, no. D6, “Judy”, VC-14 squadron, USS Hoggatt Bay CVE-75, the Philippines, 22 November 1944.
• FM-2 Wildcat, no. 8, “Hot Lips”, VC-99 squadron, USS Hoggatt Bay CVE-75, Pacific Ocean theatre, July 1945.
• FM-2 Wildcat, no. 4, VC-13 squadron, USS Tripoli CVE-64, March 1944, during anti-submarine patrols over the Atlantic in the vicinity of Cape Verde.
• Wildcat VI, no. JV752/320-9, Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment, test flown by S/L Janusz Żurakowski, Boscombe Down airfield, 14 February 1945.

The Deck of a U.S. Navy Escort Carrier

The two sections of deck presented in the kit are modelled after Casablanca-class vessels (the most numerous of the various escort carriers classes, hull numbers CVE-55 – CVE-104). The first section shows the middle portion of the deck, complete with mock-ups of arrester wire tensioners. The second is a replica of the prow, with a fragment of the hangar elevator and the rear segment of the catapult channel. FM-1/FM-2 Wildcats and TBF/TBM Avengers can be placed on the decks. Sporadically, in the course of warfare, escort carriers would receive other types of aircraft used by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines. They were also tasked with transporting aircraft from rear echelon areas to the front line. Among others, they conveyed entire fighter wings of P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs, and also other aircraft types, including multi-engined bombers.