Tamiya 61034 - 1/48 Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat  [61034]

In regards to the Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat

On start of the Pacific War in December 1941, japan Navy A6M Zero fighter had been the principal aircraft successful up against the allied air forces. The Zero's effort at total superiority was thwarted by numerous F4F Wildcat fighters flown from U.S. aircraft carriers.
Grumman Aviation produced the G-18, the model XF4F-2, which first flew in September 1937. Initial evaluation unveiled several performance issues, which led the U.S. Navy to reject the G-18 in support of the Brewster's F2A "Buffalo". The Navy asked Grumman to carry on aided by the task, and led to the G-36, which flew in February 1939. The G-36 tests exceeded the performance of this F2A, leading to the U.S. Navy approving the look and buying it into production because the F4F-3 Wildcat. Two yeas after its implementation, during the critical stages associated with Pacific War in 1942, the improved F4F-4 Wildcat had been introduced. It had foldable wings, and three 12.7mm machine firearms in each wing, plus the more effective 1,200 P & W R-1830-86 Twin Wasp motor, giving it a speed of 512km/h. Grumman became known as the "Ironworks" due to its highly designed aircraft, which may soak up enormous punishment and still travel home.

Although the F4F ended up being inferior in lots of respects to the Zero, a superb kill ration ended up being attained by Wildcat pilots through its strong points up against the Zero's weak spot of fragility and unseasoned pilots.