Techmod Decals 1/48
Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat

Set # 48018P

By Mike Muth

I am always ready for a new Wildcat decal sheet. Techmod has created a sheet in 1/48 for the F4F-4 Wildcat that provides markings for six different aircraft. The decal sheet also comes with a page showing placement and color schemes (not a big variation: blue gray over light gray!) for all six aircraft.

There are three versions for Wildcats flown by Marion Carl over Guadalcanal: two black # 13's and one white # 2. The fourth aircraft is black # 41-F-1, flown by Carl Booth II from the USS Ranger in early 1942. This is complete with red and white rudder decal. The fifth airplane is for John Raby's Wildcat flown during Operation Torch with the yellow surround fuselage marking. The final scheme is for white # 18 flown by Howard Packard of VF-6 in August of 1942.

The decals all seem to be in perfect register. The red dots are already inside of the white stars, so there is no need to try and center them. I have not tried the decals yet, but I am always looking for an excuse to build a Wildcat. While the selection is not the most interesting, the inclusion of Operation Torch markings is a welcome addition to the existing Wildcat decals.

I obtained my copy from Roll Models at a cost of $6.00.