knowing that the Hobbyboss FM-2 is incorrect from the firewall forward, could it make up into one of the myriad Martlett, G-36's or Greek Wildcats by correcting the vertical tail and some minor other work, or is it a lost cause? I don't own this kit or I'd do my own plastic fondling and brainstorming.
Thanks

Its priced very well for all that is included in the set- check Sprue Brothers.
Dan from Bermuda

at $26, no one will know the difference, except me.

That is what I love about the hobby, correcting the kit costs as much as the kit. But I won't complain about accuracy, no not me....



There is no such thing as an unbuildable kit, just some kits one may consider not worth building.

...on what you want. If you just use the cowl you could pull off the look (kinda) but the engine will be too small in diameter and the overall length will be too short. I went all the way and got the entire set. There are also numerous changes inside the wheel well and intakes for the carb and oil cooler that are included along with a revised rudder.

Rick

Not everyone will feel that the cost of the set is worth the bother, but once you have seen or handled it- it is worth it- the engine and other details in the set make it incredible value for money. The wheel well details are different compared to F4F-3 through FM1, and i would like to save myself the effort of scratch building. Sometimes time is money, as in get one of these sets and you save yourself a lot of time- if you have the money. Personally, I plan to sell a few more phantoms and other 1/48 jets I have, to get a few of them! i bought a few tamiya kits a while back with the intent of converting them, so now that US postage is so much higher to Bermuda, i am keeping them as it would be too expensive to try to sell them and replace them with the HB kit. Then, I realize the HB kit is not quite right for the FM2 (for my taste), so I would have to do a lot of "tweaking" anyways!
"Best" solution for me is to get the Vector sets- I wouldn't ever say it was "imperative" to get them, but if you want less work and a nice-er FM2 (by my own estimation)- get the set.

I would love to hear one day that Tamiya finally puts out a -3 or FM1 or FM2 like HB did, but with some good/better research to back them up. Don't get me wrong- I am glad HB got in there (I have one of their 3's- but will change the cowl), but things are a bit off- not too bad, but off enough to bug me- who loves wildcats. 109 lovers out there would not stand for some of the issues in a lot of the USN kits on the market- if similar ones were found in the 109's out today- I assure you! just consider the fuselage that is too short on the Hasegawa/Mania 1/48 F4U-4, or the Academy/Minicraft version of the F4U-4 with its weird 'too wide' (and too short)fuselage between the firewall and tail- then take into account the tail is not offset as on the Hasegawa/Mania and real aircraft!- the list goes on and on- but it doesn't stop me buying them and supporting these companies. The problems are there, but we all have to make the choice to chop and change as suits us. So to be clear, I am not saying anyone HAS to get it- just vouching for it as a great value for money.

Presently, I am trying to get a vector FM2 complete conversion set to fit the Tamiya Wildcat, and it seems "doable" with some extra work.
Dan.

The exhaust openings on the Vector set are smaller versions of the HB kit, for a later production version with the Siamese collector exhaust set up that had only one pipe outlet at each opening.
Prior to serial # #74459, the FM-2 had single individual exhausts stubs, 3 at the upper right opening and two at the others. The cowl outlets were flat instead of cupped like HB and the Vector. Here is a pic from the one we are currently restoring. This ones exhaust system was originally the individual stacks but has been field replaced with the collector system.
The picture shows the upper rh opening where there were 3 stacks

[IMG][/IMG]

Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.
Will Rogers

and am currently building the despised HB kit mostly OOB (seat belts and bombs added).

Know this Heresy:

1. The prop business is silly - the kit props does not need replacing, but I am going to use a bit of tubing to beef up the inner 'stepped' cylinder on the hub - could leave it alone as well. Look at photos and you'll see that there is no serious issue with the kit prop.

2. I think the Vector cowl is too narrow in chord. How dare I say this?? - Bruce A. will come break up my lawn furniture (again). Photos and the KMC conversion cowl which is the same as the HB cowl. Overall scale length at first measurement looks ok to me.

3. Not sure about the gear, but the components look ok to me, again according to photos. Some have reported assembly, 'sit' and 'fit' issues.

4. The one very visible howler in the kit is the cut-out for the engine exhaust - wrong shape and too big to my eye. Took about 30 minutes of actual modeling to correct this problem, but be sure you can deal with the concept of putty without resort to prayer. (scotch is OK).

5. The engine is OK per photos. Must have wire ignition harness? See comments about putty, referring to fuze wire. Must have the baffled intakes between the cylingers? Why? Only spiders will see them once the prop is on.

6. The intakes in the cowl should not be there. About 5 minutes work to remove.

6. Kit rudder - missing a rib if the Tamiya kit is a guide. Easy to fix.

7. Have looked at the other control surfaces. Sorry, no issue for this average modeler.

BUT, if you sense of self-worth demands you spend about 50& more than for the Vector set than the kit, this is the set for you.


Joe

Average Modeler and Builder of legacy kits Beyond the Pale

Yeah, I think a silent prayer might help with puttying. I've never tried Scotch, but it would no doubt help even more, if I used enough of it. Let's see, you use alcohol to smooth down the putty, right?

One minor challenge to your heretical stance: I think the ailerons were fugly. I don't remember being similarly offended by the tail feathers, but I begged a scrapped wing from a friend's Tamiya to replace the ailerons. I've since sold on my kit, but meant to get another and will eventually (FM-1 or F4F-3- I'm still wary of the whole FM-2 scene!) Now, naturally, if you're satisfied with the ailerons, more power to you. Probably under a coat of paint (with more Scotch!) you wouldn't see anything dramatic. But hey, I've always got to do something to mess up an otherwise fine kit- it's my code...

bob

Words to live by. Being doing it for decades.

Joe

Average Modeler and Builder of legacy kits Beyond the Pale

I suppose that is another manifestation of my AMS- it certainly does seem like a compulsion.

Happy modelfying,
bob

It comes with the exhaust system of the FM-2 correctly depicted, which precludes conversion to any other mark (or at least with minor work only). It also lacks the twin underwing intakes, which limits the choice further.
FErnando, back home

I had forgotten the coolers...
I always forget the coolers
Thanks

Cowl exhaust openings were a different shape before serial #74459 due to a different exhaust system.



Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.
Will Rogers

indicate at least two versions of exhaust cut-outs.

Joe

Average Modeler and Builder of legacy kits Beyond the Pale

Actually a few minutes work with a wooden dowel and a Dremel tool will solve that problem. The model, converted from the hybrid Mono kit, needed scratch coolers, among other things it needed to be a Martlet I. Be not disamyed by a little Actual Modeling.

Joe





Average Modeler and Builder of legacy kits Beyond the Pale

... involving only light conversion work. Building pieces from scratch can be done, but it is not light, at least in my scale.
Fernando, back home

n/t

Average Modeler and Builder of legacy kits Beyond the Pale

My goal was not to avoid actual modeling, but to find out if the Hobbyboss kit was salvagable as one of the many other Wildcat/ Martlet iterations. I am currently building the Sword FM-2 and don't own the Hobbyboss kit.

I bought the Vector FM-2 stuf to get a look at it and also to use on the HB kit. The landing gear on the HB FM-2 kit have no resemblance to Wildcat landing gear. I'm going to pick up a Tamiya F4F-4 kit and use the Vextor resin to convert it. The HB kits control surfaces are also badly done.



Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.
Will Rogers