Starfighter Decals has added a very nice new sheet for the 1/32 F4F-4 kit. Now both Revell and Trumpeter make 1/32 Wildcats, but the Trumpeter one is probably going to be your choice as it is just a much superior kit.

The sheet has options for four aircraft from the 1942/43 time period when, for the US Navy, the Wildcat was pretty much it for the main carrier borne fighter. The aircraft are all in the blue-grey over light grey scheme that was prominent at the time. These are also post rudder stripes and have the standard large insignia without the red dot in the middle. Aside from perhaps a unit badge and kill markings, there planes were not exactly colorful.

First option is white 23, the aircraft of Jimmy Thatch with VF-3 aboard the USS Yorktown in June of 1942 for the Midway battle.

Next is F-21, an aircraft of William Leonard of VF-11 at Guadalcanal in June of 1943.

Next is VF-6's DE.Runyon's Black 20 aboard the USS Enterprise in August of 1942.

Another of Runyon's planes was Black 13 with this one being in September of 1942. Runyon was one of the few enlisted pilots who did well with the Wildcat. Not long after this, enlisted pilots were no longer permitted to fly fighters and either had to become officers or fly transports/patrol aircraft.

The decals themselves are superbly printed by Cartograf and provide enough insignia and common markings to do one aircraft.

Thanks to www.starfighter-decals.com for the review sample. Get yours direct from the link.

April 2012

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