Academy 1:72 Grumman F4F (Gary's Stuff - item longest in stash team build)

Monte
Academy 1/72 Grumman F4F-4. Being one of the cheapest kits I have (I spent 6 bucks I think?), I was really surprised with the kit quality. If it wasn't for that #$%^ undercarriage, I would actually give it top marks for a beginners kit. Now, it does have several technical issues for purists in its depiction of an F4F-4 (and oh gosh - the pilot figure is wanting, but you can only build this with a closed canopy anyway). Still, it went together well, and I think looks fine, out of the box, when painted. I am trying to learn the middle road for weathering, and have gotten more comfortable making my own canopy masks. I have to go early Pacific war markings whenever possible, so I got 3rd party decals from PrintScale. Markings are for one of my favorite pilots: "Swede" Vejtasa of VF-10, USS Enterprise, markings from October 26, 1942, Battle of Santa Cruz. Swede flew two Combat Air Patrols. Shot down two Japanese torpedo bombers in the first CAP, and 5 dive bombers later the same day. An Ace in a day. However author John Lundstrom states that Japanese records only list two dive bombers lost in that attack, oh well.

Robert Podkoński
Good job!

Bas Tonn
Great job !! Expensive kits are nice but El Cheapo is great fun as well