Trumpeter F4F-3 Observations

[Bomber_County]

Has anyone got any thoughts on this in 1/32nd?

[HubertB]

It's a good kit from Trumpeter, maybe not in the absolute best league, but definitely from the "A" team.

It's much better than the -4, because at least you do not have to cope with the foldable wings (the -3 had straight, non-foldable wings), which are poor in detail if folded, and have an awful joint to fill and sand if showing the wings unfolded.

One often-overlooked issue of the kit (all versions) is the wrong position of the wheel-well opening (which should be moved forward). This creates a fit issue with the rear bulkhead of the wheel well, which is straight when it should be angled, fits poorly, and has a poor-looking recess / wheel-fairing at the rear, which does not match the well-opening. The modus-operandi for correcting this is:

1) set the bulkhead at the right angle (tilted forward). It will fit much better

2) adjust the wheel-well opening to match the bulkhead and wheel-recess, by adding card at the rear and reshaping the front.

Alain Gadbois on LSP has shown how to correct this :

https://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?/topic/63960-grumman-martlet/page/2/

All in all a great kit in spite of this boo-boo. Much better than the old Revell offering on the detail department. Plus, with the -3, you can get a yellow-wing deco 

HTH

Hubert

Edited July 21, 2021 by HubertB
Corrected a typo which implied the contrary of what I meant.

[BlrwestSiR]

Thanks for the info Hubert. 

Glad to hear it's one of their better efforts. 

Carl

[Bomber_County]

Thanks Hubert, I bought a load of Eduard AM on evil bay for the -3, amazing cheaply.  I asked the question first about the kit hoping a praying I hadn’t made a mistake.  Now looking for for a deal on the kit and I’m away. It looks as it this could be a relatively inexpensive 32nd project, thanks again Hubert……

[Bomber_County]

Years ago, I reckon early 90’s when I was dabbling again at modelling I bought at a show, this……….together with this book. If I remember the guy wanted some ridiculous low money for both bits……..

somewhere I still have this as I remember trying to use it on a Monogram Wildcat………the book will be useful in the coming build…..

[Bomber_County]

Does anyone know if there exists early US insignia masks, just the star, no bar….. the F4F-3 comes with yellow wings scheme and the later version is another £15 more 😬…….so if I could find masks it would be good, spent nearly all day on this 

[BlrwestSiR]

32 minutes ago, Bomber_County said:

Does anyone know if there exists early US insignia masks, just the star, no bar….. the F4F-3 comes with yellow wings scheme and the later version is another £15 more 😬…….so if I could find masks it would be good, spent nearly all day on this 

Maketar makes them.

https://shop.maketar.com/?product=132-u-s-roundels-1942-1943

I believe Hannant's carried them. 

[k5ikl]

Here is my version of the Trumpeter kit.  Went together very well with very little to
no problems.  I still have the-4, later version which was retooled, to do.

Cheers,
Jerry  

[Bomber_County]

1 hour ago, k5ikl said:

Here is my version of the Trumpeter kit.  Went together very well with very l

Very nice Jerry, really clean build. I wanted to do the late -3 with the more traditional intermediate blue and plain stars…….but aggrieved at paying a third again for less decals and exactly the same kit…..

 

[Spitfire]

What a great build that is Jerry, I have the same kit and must get around to building it one day.

Cheers

Dennis