Operation Torch Wildcat

[Second Air Force]

For some time now I've been wanting to build aircraft from both sides of the invasion of North Africa, Operation Torch. As y'all know, my father was a member of the Allied armies during this campaign and he often spoke of the various airplanes that he heard and saw.

My first project will be this Tamiya F4F-4 in markings of either U.S.S. Ranger or U.S.S. Santee. This is my first build of this kit and it looks pretty nice right out of the box.

Operation Torch Wildcat

One modification is required, to cut out the sides of the cockpit floor. These earlier Wildcats had windows in the belly to allow the pilot to see below:

Operation Torch Wildcat

Operation Torch Wildcat

Operation Torch Wildcat

After fixing the floor the main elements received their paint, bronze green for the cockpit and Grumman grey for the accessory section and wheelwells:

Operation Torch Wildcat

[No.1]

This will be great subject! I like one machine in desert colors

[draken35]

[Second Air Force]

I'm afraid this Wildcat will not be in desert scheme, No.1--just blue/grey over grey with big yellow surrounds of roundels. I should also do a Martlet/Wildcat later, I think!

The landing gear module has been built up and test fitted along with the two drop-tanks. After fitting this the gear assembly was painted in the unusual anti-fouling black color used by Grumman at the time this machine was built:

Operation Torch Wildcat

Then the fuselage was assembled and the gear test-fitted to the support bulkhead. This kit is very interesting, and fun, to build as everything is constructed in modules:

Operation Torch Wildcat

Operation Torch Wildcat

The only addition to the kit parts so far has been to use the Eduard fabric seatbelt harness. Other than that it's all Tamiya pieces.

[No.1]

This landing gear make whole build a bit tricky but not a big problem at all

[Second Air Force]

The way Tamiya engineered the landing gear actually makes it simple! All the parts are easy to align since it is built separately. The only tricky part was to install the small fuselage fairing on the center of the gear so that I could paint this as a unit and then drop it into the airplane when it is finished.

Operation Torch Wildcat

[draken35]

Excellent!

[Sall]

Good job in cockpit mate!

[Second Air Force]

Good job in cockpit mate!

Thanks, Sall! It is all directly from the kit with the only aftermarket parts being the Eduard seatbelt harness. This is an old Tamiya kit but it is really quite nice to work with.

[Second Air Force]

Small progress on this great Tamiya kit. First the cockpit/firewall module was installed in the fuselage and the wing attached. After this dried the landing gear assembly was offered up for another test-fit and the airplane sits on its gear for the first time:

Operation Torch Wildcat

All went well (the fit of parts is simply perfect!) so final assembly of all main elements was accomplished next, followed by a tiny bit of putty at the wing/fuselage joint at the leading edge only. After sanding, primer coat and then lower surface grey was applied:

Operation Torch Wildcat

Operation Torch Wildcat

Perhaps tomorrow the blue/grey can be applied if time allows.

[No.1]

This kit is so good!

[mfg495]

 

[draken35]

Nice and fast progress!!!

[Second Air Force]

This kit is so good!

This kit would be a great model for a new modeler. It literally goes together by itself, almost!

[Second Air Force]

Blue.

Operation Torch Wildcat