1/48 Hobby Boss FM-1 Wildcat

[Wolfman_63]

For my next build I am building the 1/48 Hobby Boss FM-1 Wildcat. I have already completed the cockpit and starting work on the engine and landing gear bay. So far this looks like a nice kit. The details provided in the kit are pretty good. Only accessory used on the cockpit was some photo etch seatbelts.

You can follow the build on my blog at 1/48 FM-1 Wildcat

 

[Wurger]

 

[fubar57]

Good start. Your work bench is way too orderly

 

[Crimea_River]

Looks good.

 

[Gnomey]

Lovely work so far!

 

[F-104nut]

Nice start on the Wildcat office

 

[Wolfman_63]

With the cockpit finished I moved onto the landing gear bay and the engine. The landing gear bay was detail painted and weathered. The engine was then assembled and painted. To represent the magneto wires I first drilled a slight hole into the cylinders then attached a 32 gauge .75" long wire to each hole. The wires were formed and trimmed to fit into the ignition ring. The cockpit, landing gear bay and engine were then installed in the fuselage. Finally the cowl was installed. I have the wings and tail mounted. Starting to do the base coat of paint. It will be painted the tri-color scheme (White bottom, Intermediate Blue middle and Dark Sea Blue on top)

See more photos in the build log at 1/48 FM-1 Wildcat

 

[Wurger]

 

[Crimea_River]

Very nice.

 

[fubar57]

Agreed

 

[Gnomey]

Great work so far!

 

[Wolfman_63]

The Wildcat is now ready for displaying. I completed the painting and applied the kit decals. Also I added some EZ-Line for the antenna. Overall this has been a very nice kit to build. The detail is good and the assembly/fit is very good.
The decals went on without any problems and with a little bit of Microsol they laid down nicely. Aside from the addition of photo etch seat belts, engine wires, and the EZ-line, the rest of this is straight out of the box. Looks like I will need to look at getting some of the other Wildcat variants from Hobby Boss.

You can see all the build photos at 1/48 FM-1 Wildcat

 

[fubar57]

Very nice. Which size of EZ-line did you use? I just ordered some super fine. Its for 1:72 but I think it will be more to scale for 1:48............I hope

 

[Airframes]

Nicely done.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Wolfman_63]

Very nice. Which size of EZ-line did you use? I just ordered some super fine. Its for 1:72 but I think it will be more to scale for 1:48............I hope

I use EZ-line Fine. I thought they only had two sizes Fine and Heavy.Did they come out with a Super Fine? The Fine is .003 and looks great on 1/48. I have used it on 1/72 and it looks fine. I have even used it on 1/350 ships for rigging and looks fine.

 

[fubar57]

Sorry, my error. I ordered the Uschi brand. The super fine is .01

 

[Gnomey]

Lovely work so far!

 

[MIflyer]

I have a number of very close-up shots of a restored FM-1, so if you need anything let me know.