1/72 DML/Dragon Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat

Gallery Article by James Kelley on July 31 2003

 

VF-22 USS Independence, 1943
Dragon Kit # 5024

Most of you are most likely familiar with the excellent Hasegawa F4F-4 kit in 1/72 scale, particularly if you build prop-driven aircraft. The 1995 DML/Dragon kit is a re-boxing of this kit, with an extra sprue of "wing-fold" parts and bulged tires and a separately packing section of flight deck to display the aircraft upon. Also included is a separately-printed, 2 page Dragon instruction sheet for the wing-fold version. Sadly, this kit is no longer in production, although it can still be found in stock in many Hobby Shops and e-shops.

 

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This kit is extremely enjoyable to build, and after putting one together a few weeks ago, I decided to do another, this time with the inclusion of the resin cockpit/wheelwell set available from True Details. This eliminated the "see-through" effect that mars the completion of an otherwise excellent kit. And, for $3.00, it's an outstanding resin set with "big money" detail! Also included in this build was a Squadron Crystal Clear vacuform canopy, as I wanted the cockpit to be open so as to be able to view what detail can be seen.

Airbrushing was done in Model Master Acrylics, with pre-shading done in aircraft-interior black. The coats were sealed with gloss-coat lacquer, then a wash of thinned burnt-umber artists oils were applied. A final coat of Model Master clear flat finish was applied, then a few details were picked out with a silver pencil. The kit's decals were used. This little "HaseDragon" kit has become one of my favorites: I've 2 more under the workbench, with the resin additions on order! If you can get your hands on one, I think you'd really enjoy adding this Grumman 'Cat to your display case.

James Kelley

      

Photos and text © by James Kelley