Tamiya F4F-4 Wildcat

[BlackSheep214]

My next build is a 1/48 scale F4F-F Wildcat. I have started it in various stages. Pics forthcoming...

The kit:




This is my 10th build of 2024. I'm confident I will break my build record of 11 from a couple years ago.

For some reason I just can't get the mojo to resume building auto kits. Not that I'm complaining....

[jeaton01]

It's a nice kit, you should have a good time.

[keavdog]

That's a great kit. First kit I black based so I ruined the paint and broke the canopy but went together like an easy puzzle

[cbaltrin]

Good luck. Everyone says it's an easy kit. I am sure yours will come out better than mine ...because mine is only half built (for about 10 years) and I have started using it as a paint mule... Strange how this happened as I love how F4F's -- and what an important aircraft... I have given up on mine for the moment... Maybe it's the confusing landing gear... This is me pondering their installation...


I also recently picked up two of the amazing Aifix 1/72 F4F's -- so now I've got my eye on another girl so to speak

My sorry Tamiya F4F

[LyleW]

Love the F4F....hate building up the landing gear!

[Gary Brantley]

I've built that same kit. I don't recall any issues, but it sure didn't "build itself".

[BlackSheep214]

That's a great kit. First kit I black based so I ruined the paint and broke the canopy but went together like an easy puzzle

That’s the color I’m trying to find! What is the color and paint brand? I swear it looks like you used Model Master 5-N Navy Blue.

I've built that same kit. I don't recall any issues, but it sure didn't "build itself".

Another color I’ve been debating on. What color and paint brand.

I know I’m doing the version from USS Ranger. With so many opinions on which Blue Grey is correct and variations of shades of Blue Grey, I’m getting confused. The only blue grey I have is AK Interactive Real Color # 256 M-485 Blue Grey and wasn’t sure if it’s too light or not.
Even Gunze Blue Grey I don’t have looks a tad darker than Real Color. I don’t know.

The other I have is Model Master 5-N Navy Blue I’m close to using but it looks very similar to John’s Wildcat.

I have made samples of both Real Color and Model Master to compare and decide which one to go with. I am planning on a black base prior to the Blue Grey/5-N navy Blue.

[BlackSheep214]

Love the F4F....hate building up the landing gear!

I hate complicated fiddly landing gears myself. So far, I’ve glued in the pieces on circle part, the main gears is all assembled minus the wheels. Used super glue to hold weak spots on both. Most likely I will install the main landing struts last after fuselage is painted.


Wanna know what’s even worse? Those birdcage cockpit assembly… the Eduard Yak 1b is one even though it is originally Academy mold. Very similar to WW1 cockpits. I had started it but I wasn’t in the mood to fight it along with PE instrument panel on the Yak 1b.

[Gary Brantley]

Tom, on my Wildcat, the upper side color is Model Master medium gray, and the lower color is MM gull gray. But that gray may not really be "blue" enough; guess it faded some.



Here's my bird in a wartime B&W photo:

[BlackSheep214]

Tom, on my Wildcat, the upper side color is Model Master medium gray, and the lower color is MM gull gray. But that gray may not really be "blue" enough; guess it faded some.



Here's my bird in a wartime B&W photo:

From what I've been reading online Medium Grey did come up from at some forum when I googled "correct blue grey for f4f wildcat" which I found kinda strange. I guess it would make sense as faded blue grey somewhat.