Eduard 11170, Guadalcanal, Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats. Dual Combo Limited Edition. 1:48 Scale

Guadalcanal. Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats. August 1942 to June 1943

Dual Combo, Limited Edition. 1:48 Scale

11170 - Eduard

By the time of Midway the last F4F-3s based on Pacific Fleet carriers had been superseded by F4F-4s. This ostensibly improved model was equipped with folding wings (which allowed the size of fighter squadrons to be increased from 18 to 27) and two extra guns; but it was equipped with the same engine as the F4F-3, and the extra weight from the modifications contributed to a reduction in performance.

U.S. Navy pilots were not pleased with the changes (which also included a reduction in the number of rounds per gun, and therefore a reduction in the length of time that firing could be sustained), and a general belief in the F4F-4s inferiority developed.

During the Guadalcanal Campaign the most widely employed tactic used by American pilots was high-altitude ambush, in which pilots pre-positioned at relatively high altitudes used diving, hit-and-run manoeuvres against enemy aircraft below, swooping in, gaining speed, and then, after firing, using that speed to climb back up to altitude and position themselves to attack again.

The pre-positioning was made possible by a combination of coastwatchers and radar, which together served as an early warning system. The early warning system did not always deliver results. On 7 August 1942, the day of the Guadalcanal landings, while American carriers were the sole providers of air cover for the invasion force, USS Enterprise lost 10 F4F-4s.

This is a Limited Edition Dual Combo model kit featuring two US carrier based fighter Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat's, one early and the other late production in 1:48 scale. These aeroplanes were used by the United States Navy and Marine Corps participating in the fighting for Guadalcanal.

Model Kit Highlights:

• plastic parts: Eduard
• marking options: 12
• decals: Eduard
• PE parts: pre-painted
• painting mask: yes
• resin parts: no

Glue and paint are required but are not included.