The appearance of the F6F Hellcat did not end the Wildcat's tenure as a front-line fighter as FM-1/2 Wildcats built by General Motors Eastern Aircraft division continued to see service aboard the vast armada of escort 'Jeep' carriers then being produced by American shipyards. In fact, the FM-2 Wildcat was actually an improved design that featured a more powerful engine and a reduction in overall weight (due in part to the reduction of the M2 Browning wing armament from 6 to 4), making it a much more powerful and maneuverable aircraft than its predecessors. The FM-2 was similar in appearance to the F4F with the main differences being the taller Vertical stabilizer (required to counteract the torque of the new engine) and the shorter engine cowl. Some 4,437 FM-2s were delivered to the US Navy prior to the end of World War II. A number were also delivered and operated by the Fleet Air Arm where the type was known as the Martlet VI.

While photography of these little gems is a challenge for our equipment and limited skills, check out the details of the well proportioned model including the fuselage complete with detailed canopy, engine cowling and tail assembly (including the tall stabilizer as shown in the comparison photo); the wings with drop tanks and especially the correctly rendered undercarriage complete with the tiny tail wheel.

Although the surfaces are not perfectly smooth (3D printing is done in layers), the plastic used can be sanded and painted much the same way you would handle resin or styrene as noted above. The models may still have some powder and oil-like agent on them that needs to be removed by washing in warm water with a drop of detergent added to it.

NOTE: While we currently maintain limited inventories of most items, some items may be "printed on demand", which usually requires 10-15 business days from order to shipment.