Euro Decals General Motors FM-2 Wildcat Mk.VI 1/48
By Jacob Russell
This new decal sheet covers the Grumman FM-2 Wildcat and its Royal Navy counterpart the Wildcat Mk. VI. It was powered by the nine cylinder Wright -1820 radial engine. The Wright had a single-stage, two speed supercharger turning a Curtis Electric constant-speed propeller. The FM-2 had a shorter chord cowling, the oil cooler was moved to the engine accessory section. The lower fuselage windows were deleted and the wing armament was 4 .50 caliber machine guns. Eastern Aircraft and General Motors built the aircraft for the US and Royal Navies, respectively.
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There are 9 different decal options on the sheet. 6 are for the FM-2 and 3 are Wildcat Mk. VIs. They include:
"7" of Composite Squadron 4 (VC-4) based aboard the USS White Plains, 1944. This FM-2 was painted in Sea Blue and Intermediate Blue over Insignia White.
"22" of Composite Squadron 93 (VC-93) based aboard the USS Petrof Bay, April 1945. This FM-2 was painted overall Sea Blue..
"J * F," "V699," a Wildcat Mk.VI of an unknown Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm based aboard HMS Trumpeter, December 1944. This FM-2 was painted in the Royal Navy colors Extra Dark Sea Grey or Extra Dark Sea Grey and Slate Grey over Sky Type 'S'.
"20" of Composite Squadron 36 (VC-36) based aboard USS Core, April 1944. This striking FM-2 was painted Extra Dark Sea Grey and Insignia White over White.
"B * IS"," "V699," a Wildcat Mk.VI of 882 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm based aboard HMS Searcher, 1945. This FM-2 was painted ANA 623 Sea Grey overall with White bands on the upper and lower wings and the fin and rudder.
"G50" of an unknown training unit based in the USA 1944. This FM-2 was painted Silver Dope overall with a black anti-glare panel.
"A16," an FM-2 Wildcat of Composite Squadron 4 (VC-4) based aboard the USS White Plains, 1944. This aircraft was painted in Sea Blue and Intermediate Blue over Insignia White.
"J3 * V," JV851, an Wildcat Mk.VI of a 794 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm based at RNAS Eglington, November 1945. This FM-2 was painted ANA 623 Sea Blue overall.
"3", an FM-2 Wildcat of Naval Aviation Modification Unit based aboard HMS Johnsville, Pennsylvania, USA 1944.. This FM-2 was painted ANA 623 International Yellow overall.
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The decals are crammed together on a large single sheet. The decals are crisply printed, the colors are vibrant and all decals are in register. This is a top notch decal sheet with 9 fascinating options. I think the International Yellow FM-2 Wildcat is my favorite.
I recommend this sheet and would like to thank Fantasy Printshop for the review sample. My sincere apologies to Fantasy Printshop for the delay in completing this review.
References
F4F Wildcat in Action, Aircraft Number 191, by Richard S. Dann, Squadron/Signal Publications, 2004