Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/32 F4F-4 Wildcats decal sheet

Product # CED32039 for $8.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Mar 29 2004

 

 

 

This new decal sheet from Cutting Edge Modelworks includes markings for four different 1/32 F4F-4 Wildcats.  The recommended kit for these decals is the 1/32 Trumpeter F4F-4.

The first Wildcat on this sheet is an F4F-4 flown by Lt. Jim Swett BuNo 12094, of VMF-221 out of Guadalcanal.  Markings on this aircraft include a white "77" on the side of the fuselage and a smaller white"77" on the side of the engine cowling.  This plane also has 7 Japanese flag kill markings on the side of the fuselage under the canopy.  This one has tail art of a "caveman wearing a diaper and carrying a club" that was only on this plane for a few days before the pilot was asked to remove it.  The pilot doesn't think the caveman markings were on the right side.....but a right side decal is included in case you decide to use it.  This plane also has a stripe on the tail that had been painted over......it appears as a shadowy line going diagonal across the left side of the tail.  The paint scheme is the Standard Navy two-color camouflage of Blue Gray 1 over Light Gray 602.  This Wildcat had a non-standard antenna arrangement with the tip of the mask being painted white.   

The second  Wildcat on this sheet is an F4F-4 flown by Capt. Marion Carl of VMF-223 out of Guadalcanal in Sept 1942.  Markings on this aircraft include a white "2" on the side of the fuselage and a smaller white"2" on the side of the engine cowling.  This plane also has 19 Japanese flag kill markings on the side of the fuselage under the canopy.  The paint scheme is the Standard Navy two-color camouflage of Blue Gray 1 over Light Gray 602.   

The third  Wildcat on this sheet is an F4F-4 flown by an unknown pilot with an unknown unit.  One interesting point to this plane is that it flew in Operation Torch and it also flew at Guadalcanal.  Markings on this aircraft include a black "8" with a smaller black "26" on the side of the fuselage.  This plane also has an North American Indian head in full head dress on the side of the fuselage under the canopy.  One very interesting feature of the paint scheme is the yellow surrounds to the roundels have been painted out.  these were applied for the invasion of North Africa.  If you do not wish to paint your own surrounds, you can use the decal versions provided with this decal sheet.  They have somewhat ragged edges to simulate the actual roundels (see decal sheet below).  The paint scheme is the Standard Navy two-color camouflage of Blue Gray 1 over Light Gray 602.   

The fourth  Wildcat on this sheet is an F4F-4 flown by Capt. Joe Foss of VMF-121 out of Guadalcanal on Oct 23 1942.  Markings on this aircraft include a black "53" on the side of the fuselage and a smaller black "53" on the side of the engine cowling.  Capt. Foss worked directly with the artist to create the side profile included in the instruction sheets for this decal set.  The paint scheme is the Standard Navy two-color camouflage of Blue Gray 1 over Light Gray 602.   

The decals were flawlessly printed and the clear carrier film is trimmed very close to the crisply printed colored areas.  The colours look good and will cover very well.  The artwork is interesting to say the least.  You get enough national markings for at least two one aircraft.

The instructions are clear and includes 2 view drawings and an extra page of text instruction is included with a small bit of info about some of the planes as well as helpful tips for decal application. 

A very nice decal sheet and highly recommended for all the Wildcat builders out there.

I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Click on images below to see larger images of the instruction sheets

 

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford