Today I will tell you more about Academy 1/48 F4F-4 Wildcat (12355). Kit comes as new-tooled plastic from the famous model brand. It is interesting to see another variation of this aircraft because several other manufacturers already released their view in the same scale. As for comparison, there will be separate video dedicated to it, while in the article I am going to talk only about Academy set. Overall packaging is surprisingly compact, inside you will find frames sealed into several plastic bags. Let's open them all and take a closer look together.
By the way, here you can read review with smaller scale Wildcat.
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UPDATED 22.01.2025: Added the comparison video with Eduard kit in the same scale.
Watch this video where I show all parts even closer.
Here you can check comparison with another kit in the same scale.
First thing I would like to highlight is a different approach in terms of parts design. While other brands are separating cowling into several panels, here we get it as one-piece part.
On the next sprue you can see main wheel well parts, wing roots, tailwing and cockpit floor. Each landing gear wheel should be glued out of two halves.
Another frame is noticeably busier as it packs a lot of small parts for the landing gear and cockpit. Overall molding quality looks fine out of the box, but I would recommend to be careful with thin struts.
Both fuselage halves are designed with tail fin, but without lower and top panels. Tail landing gear leg can be found on the left half. External details include recessed panel lines and raised rivets.
I have to note fuselage design because such thing can help you get a better looking result. You won't have any gaps in the nose area as whole section comes as one part.
Cowling is one-piece too as you remember, but cooling flaps are offered in two positions, so you will have some choice. Kit also offers you a chance to build a model with folded wings, what is quite cool to get out of the box.
Inside you will find some minor features and guiding pins. Whole cockpit will be a separate subassembly which is inserted into fuselage.
Vinyl polycaps come in clear finish.
Clear frame is molded nicely and carries separate parts which can help you build an open cockpit. Don't worry about masking - pre-cut masks sheet can be seen on the photo below.
Academy also included unpainted PE fret for seatbelts. Decals sheet is not that big, but you will find all necessary symbols for four markings which are shown below.
Assembly manual is typical for this brand. You can check all pages in the video-review.
New Wildcat should be already available for purchase. In my opinion it is quite nice plastic even when compared with rivals. Overall kit looks great out of the box, and the only thing that I can think of adding here is the pilot figurine or maybe inflight assembly option. Moreover, there is plenty of aftermarket available if you would like to have more details added on your aircraft.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS WHICH MADE THIS REVIEW POSSIBLE!Pros
- Nice molding quality
- Clever parts division
- Two wing assembly options
- Masks and PE included
- Good decals
Cons
- No pilot figurine?
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