Euro Decals 1/72 General Motors FM-2 Wildcat Mk.VI
By Chris Banyai-Riepl
Overview
The final Wildcat variant, the General Motors FM-2/Wildcat Mk.VI, was perhaps outclassed by newer aircraft, but it still saw extensive usage in the last years of the war in a variety of roles. This decal sheet provides nine schemes that highlight those varied roles, both in the US Navy and the Fleet Air Arm.
The Decals
The decal options cover just about all the camouflage schemes worn by the FM-2/Wildcat Mk.VI, from the USN three-color camouflage to an overall yellow trainer scheme. The options include:
- FM-2, white 7, VC-4 aboard USS White Plains in 1944, camouflaged in USN three-color camouflage of Sea Blue, Intermediate Blue, and Insignia White.
- FM-2, white 22, VC-93 aboard USS Petrof Bay in April 1945, camouflaged in overall Sea Blue.
- Wildcat Mk.VI, JV699, J-F, unknown unit, Fleet Air Arm, aboard HMS Trumpeter, December 1944, camouflaged in Dark Slate Grey and Extra Dark Sea Grey over Sky Type S.
- FM-2, Black 20, VC-36 aboard USS Core, April 1944, camouflaged in Dark Gull Gray (labeled Extra Dark Sea Grey in the instructions) over Insignia White.
- Wildcat Mk.VI, JV140, B-IS, 882 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, aboard HMS Searcher, 1945, camouflaged in overall Sea Blue with white theater bands.
- FM-2, black G50, unknown training unit, mainland USA, 1944, finished in overall natural metal and aluminum dope.
- FM-2, white A16, VC-78 aboard USS Matanikau on 16 November 1944, camouflaged in Sea Blue, Intermediate Blue, and Insignia White.
- Wildcat Mk.VI, JV851, J3-V, 794 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, based at RNAS Eglington in November 1945, camouflaged in overall Sea Blue.
- FM-2, black 3, Naval Aviation Modification Unit based at Johnsville, Pennsylvania, 1944, finished in overall International Yellow.
The decals are very nicely printed with perfect register and color density. The decals are printed close together, so this is a dense decal sheet. Best to have a sharp knife blade ready to carefully cut the individual decals out. Having used Euro Decals in the past, these will be easy to apply.
Conclusion
This sheet provides some great schemes for the excellent Arma 1/72 FM-2 kit, which I will have to pick up a few more of as there are more than a couple options on this sheet that I can see myself building. My thanks to Fantasy Printshop for the review sample. Visit their website for this and other great decal releases.