Pretty soon I’ll be starting work on Trumpeter’s 1/32 F4F-3. I’m planning to use a number of aftermarket kits, particularly the Vector R-1830-86 engine and Eduards’ PE sets.
I was looking at using the Aires Browning M2 Wing Installation set in place of the kit part (swapping the barrels for metal ones) however there’s two versions of the guns available. One uses an electric motor for the belt feed, the other a mechanical feed. I’m having trouble identifying which version would have been used on the Brownings for the F4F-3, does anyone know which would be the correct feed motor for a Wildcat c. March 1942?
There seems to be a lack of parts for the F4F in general, much less the -3 and in THIS scale (not even a replacement canopy, as I’ve read several reviews complaining the Trumpeter part doesn’t fit properly over the spine, and the windscreen is missing part of the frame). I did see that Verlinden offered a cockpit and gun bay set for the F4F-4. Obviously the gun bay isn’t going to work for this kit (and I have the Eduard PE set for that, anyway) but I was wondering whether the cockpit might when combined with the Eduard set, or if it would even be necessary.
Finally, does anyone know of other photos of the aircraft in this picture:
I’m considering doing F18, since it’s one of the clearest in the photo, but would prefer a couple other references. It looks like there’s been some overspraying done on the right wing (the wing number is covered) and would like to see if that’s the same on the left, which is blocked by the maintenance crew working in the gun bay. It’s also hard to tell, but I also think the kit propeller, which is the cuffed version, may be the wrong type.
Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated!