Donivanp
Colonel
Username : donivanp
First name : Don
Category : intermediate
Scale : 1/32
Manufacturer: Trumpeter
Model Type: F4F-4
Add ons: Quinta Studios interior, ResKit wheels, Metallic Details Engine, TechMod decals
I've been on a Guadalcanal kick lately and I was thinking of doing the F4F-4 in 1/48 but ultimately decided on the 1/32. The F4F-4 was the latest in the Grumman arsenal and assigned to the Marine fighter Squadrons VMF 121, 221 and 223 along with several Navy fighter Squadrons. Though it was the latest bourn out of Grumman's attempts to make thing better for the fleet, it suffered from these "fixes". Grumman had added folding wings, copied from there new TBF Avenger, add two mor .50 caliber machine guns to the arsenal of the aircraft. These added weight to the aircraft but the same Wright R-1820 power plant used on the -3 was used. To make matters worse, the extra firepower came with no mor ammunition that was in the -3.
all of these "improvements" met the Marines were slow to get airborne and was a long hard struggle to get to fighting altitude. For the Wildcat to get into a fight with the vaunted Japanese Zero or an Oscar they needed to start from above them and dive into the attack. Zoom and climb above again. The Wildcat was a rugged fighter but no match in a turning dogfight with their Japanese oppoints.
One thing that the Marines brought with them to Guadalcanal was radar. This gave them early warning of incoming Japanese raids and gave some time for the fighters to get off and start the climb to fighting altitude. These early fighters and the men who maintained and flew them were all that stood between winning and losing the fight from Henderson Field, The Cactus Air Force.
My intention is to portray one of Capt Marion Carl's fighters, Option number 1 on the TechMod decals, white 2.
First name : Don
Category : intermediate
Scale : 1/32
Manufacturer: Trumpeter
Model Type: F4F-4
Add ons: Quinta Studios interior, ResKit wheels, Metallic Details Engine, TechMod decals
I've been on a Guadalcanal kick lately and I was thinking of doing the F4F-4 in 1/48 but ultimately decided on the 1/32. The F4F-4 was the latest in the Grumman arsenal and assigned to the Marine fighter Squadrons VMF 121, 221 and 223 along with several Navy fighter Squadrons. Though it was the latest bourn out of Grumman's attempts to make thing better for the fleet, it suffered from these "fixes". Grumman had added folding wings, copied from there new TBF Avenger, add two mor .50 caliber machine guns to the arsenal of the aircraft. These added weight to the aircraft but the same Wright R-1820 power plant used on the -3 was used. To make matters worse, the extra firepower came with no mor ammunition that was in the -3.
all of these "improvements" met the Marines were slow to get airborne and was a long hard struggle to get to fighting altitude. For the Wildcat to get into a fight with the vaunted Japanese Zero or an Oscar they needed to start from above them and dive into the attack. Zoom and climb above again. The Wildcat was a rugged fighter but no match in a turning dogfight with their Japanese oppoints.
One thing that the Marines brought with them to Guadalcanal was radar. This gave them early warning of incoming Japanese raids and gave some time for the fighters to get off and start the climb to fighting altitude. These early fighters and the men who maintained and flew them were all that stood between winning and losing the fight from Henderson Field, The Cactus Air Force.
My intention is to portray one of Capt Marion Carl's fighters, Option number 1 on the TechMod decals, white 2.
