1/48 USN F4F-4 Wildcat “Battle of Midway” 12355 Academy

The Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat was a carrier-borne fighter aircraft developed and flown by the United States Navy in World War II.

The Wildcat played a crucial role in defending American interests against Japanese aggression in the Pacific Theater. The F4F-4 was an improved version of the earlier Wildcat variants, featuring six .50 calibre machine guns, and the Grumman-designed ‘Sto-Wing’ folding wing which enabled a greater number of fighters to be deployed from the carriers.

The Wildcat had a shorter operational range and an inferior climb rate compared to its adversary the Japanese Zero. Despite these limitations, the Wildcat’s robust design and ability to absorb punishment came to the fore in the Battle of Midway when experienced pilots performed air combat manoeuvres known as the ‘Thach weave’ (after Lt Cdr John S Thach, see marking option 1) inflicting heavy losses on the Zero.

New tooling. Optional build with wings in folded position. Canopy mask & photo-etch seat belts included. Choice of markings for 4 aircraft:
(1) F4F-4 BuNo 5093 White 23, flown by Lt Cdr John S Thach, Officer Commanding VF-3, USS Yorktown CV-5, Midway, June 4 1942;
(2) F4F-4 BuNo unknown White 17, flown by Lt Walter Albert Haas, VF-6, USS Hornet CV-8, Midway, June 1942;
(3) F4F-4 BuNo 5244 White 13, flown by Lt William Nicholas Leonard, VF-3, USS Yorktown CV-5, Midway, June 1942;
(4) F4F-4 BuNo 5123 White 21, flown by Lt Elbert Scott McCuskey, VF-3, USS Yorktown CV-5, Midway, June 4 1942.