1/72 Hobbyboss Wildcat FM-2 conversion

[wingnutz]

FM-2 WIP and conversions

hey folks,

took a break from my phil air force projects to do this build...it's a conversion of a 1/72 hobbyboss FM-1 kit to a proper FM-2 version...

this is in conjunction with a group build by IPMS-philippines on "the battle of leyte gulf" and the "battle of the philippine sea" or otherwise known as "the great marianas turkey shoot"...where the once great imperial japanese naval squadrons were dessimated by the US navy's carrier based squadrons...



in the "battle of leyte gulf", the FM-2 version of the wildcat in defense of the allied liberation forces landing in the island of leyte, saw action against the IJN's battle group under admiral kurita's command ...this sea battle also featured the biggest battleship ever built...the "yamato"...

this particular aircraft shall be done in the tri-color scheme of the "composite squadron 4" that flew from the USS white plains (CVE-66) circa 1943-1944...

color scheme here...

[SABURO]

Hi Wingnutz, Looks really great, the HobbyBoss range of WWII fighter have a great potential, the ratio price/quality is very good !
As I see, you also started the Hellcat, when ever possible tell me more about this kit.
Cheers,

Olivier

[Wurger]

Hallo Wingnutz !!!
I can't wait to see the final effect.This is I like the most - a 1:72 scale model with some corrections.Very nice M8.

[wingnutz]

engine modifications...

hey folks,

decided to add a little detail to the wildcat's engine from a borrowed engine part of the hellcat kit...as the original engine detail wasn't too accurate...

[Wurger]

It looks good for me.Perhaps you should think about full-maquette of the engine.

[wingnutz]

It looks good for me.Perhaps you should think about full-maquette of the engine.

thanx wurger...

full maquette...maybe someday...when my skills are good enough...

[Wurger]

Come on friend, your skills are not as important as you think.
This is quite easy to make it.Anyway, it was a good idea to use those parts .For sure the engine looks better now.

[Wayne Little]

looking good keep up the great work!

[wingnutz]

amended wings

more engine conversion updates

an update of my fm-2 wildcat conversion...

> managed to delete the service panels in the wings for the outboard guns on both sides;

> replaced the propellers with paddle type versions;

> used brass sheets for the amended engine cowling flaps;
for this i used .005" thick brass...i also found that the using a metal burnisher by scraping the cut metal sheets can help in forming it and smoothening out some s and scratches...

[Wurger]

M8.