Building Airfix F4F-4 Wildcat - Model Aircraft

Building Airfix's 1/72 scale Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat, the US Navy's primary carrier borne fighter aircraft during the start of World War Two. They played roles in the crucial battles from Midway to Guadalcanal.
Although this set is from the Dogfight Doubles set, the parts are exactly the same as the other Airfix F4F kits.
An extremely well detailed kit that may prove more difficult to less experienced modellers.
Airfix provided me with the kit for free, but they have not paid me or told me what to do or to say. My opinions are my own, honest opinions.
VIDEOS:
Useful Tools: • Useful Tools for Scale...
Paint Types: • Types of Paint Explained
Brush Painting: • How to Brush Paint Sca...
Chalk Washes: • Making Chalk Washes fo...
Applying Decals: • How to Apply Decals to...
25 Tips: • 25 Tips for Scale Mode...
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: @QKscalemodels / qkscalemodels
Instagram: @quick_kits / quick_kits
Twitter: @quick_kits / quick_kits
Email: [e-mail]
MUSIC:
I Am a Man Who Will Fight for Your Honor by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: chriszabriskie.com/honor/
Artist: chriszabriskie.com/
#airfix #scalemodel #modelkit #scalemodelling

[@jdrake8738]

Owen... I've been building models since I was six, now I'm then times that old, and I really enjoy your videos... I like your style, so do some more! missing seeing your videos...

[@yulithebrave]

I found it was the fire wall which was the problem getting fuselage to fit together properly. A little trimming of both sides before fitting sorted the problem. Have just finished this kit and is, as you say, a quality detailed kit.

[@SGusky]

Nice video Yes the color is correct for all f4f-4 of the period The -3 had the more blue-ish grey Well done

[@busabkickinbutt]

I am impressed with the quality of the finish with brushing! Great work!

[@owenb9370]

I like the style of this video. There is a lot of clearly explained information. Well done.

[@jackkevillemedia]

Another brilliant build. I'm always impressed with your brush work.

[@quickkits]

Thank you very much Jack!

[@johnkelley9877]

You did a good job on the kit Owen! Early war U.S. Naval aircraft did have a blue-gray look to the color scheme. It is not as blue as the 1943 and onward colors so this is accurate for the time period. I have heard a lot of good things about this kit and your review bears this out. Thanks for sharing and as always I look forward to the next tutorial.

[@neilhaas6024]

It's a nice detailed complex kit. Nice model plane like the f4f-4 wildcat and f6f hellcat.

[@marsbar7099]

Beautiful job. I would recommend using a cocktail stick on the canopy though as sprue sharpened damaged one of mine once. Well done on the build

[@sgtkikkoman_]

Great kit man, your videos are always worth waiting for. I hope university is going well!

[@quickkits]

Thank you, that's nice to hear! Uni is going great thanks! :D

[@mark_of_the_legion2346]

Wow what a awesome build! I will definitely pick up this kit in the future

[@56Gumball]

One of your best yet I think. 👍🏼

[@kerrywilcoxon9584]

Another great build & video. I built this kit and liked it very much. It is probably the best F4F in 1/72 but I also had quite a bit of trouble getting the fuselage halves to close up so it is good to know it was not just me.

[@quickkits]

Thanks for letting me know about the fuselage problem Kerry. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed building it too though despite that

[@seanlew205]

Thank you for your upload which gives me great help.

[@unknowngaming1527]

Another amazing video. All your videos have honestly helped me out in modelling.

[@quickkits]

It's nice to hear that, I'm glad they've helped you!

[@JoakimFritz]

That's a really nice brush-painted finish!

[@ModelMinutes]

I built the academy model wildcat some years ago as airfix didn't do one at the time. New one looks great!

[@patbyrne2927]

just subscribed, loved the video. I was awful at these when I was younger but thinking of giving them another go :)

[@williammullenholz431]

Cracking form, as always Owen!

[@quickkits]

Thanks William :D

[@lambov12anddb9]

best set of videos for airfix kits

[@PolyFPV]

Love these videos! Keep them coming Owen!

[@slwilliams75]

Your videos are great and they are really helping me get into modelling.

[@quickkits]

That's great to hear, thank you!

[@Sakai070]

Fuselage fit was poor with mine as well. I didn't get the dogfight doubles version, just the standard F4F-4 kit. It also included drop tanks which weren't mention in the instructions but are present in the Marlet IV kit that Airfix sells. I used intermediate blue for the top side paint and I was pleased with the results.

[@rurushu8094]

Wow! 1. A new Quick Kits video 2. A plane from one of my favourite aviation companies (Grumman) 3. One of my favourite planes from WWII Could this day get any better?

[@quickkits]

Haha I'm glad you're having a good day!

[@rurushu8094]

Quick Kits :D

[@Looney2ing]

Chin Chin The Dark Lord indeed a good day. missed it during Halloween.

[@junkyardigans6197]

Chin Chin The Dark Lord oh chin chin agadeiski suki nondayoo

[@magmaman6384]

Chin Chin The Dark Lord trumpeter is better

[@billiamandthebilliams205]

This model is fantastic!

[@greasyindiekid]

Fantastic result. I'd never have guessed it was painted by hand.

[@quickkits]

Thank you very much! :)

[@sorin-robertneagu6722]

Good job , Sir ! Nice from Airfix to give you free kit...My experience was not-so-happy with them...I buy this kit from a local vendor, sealed, I found that the second row of engine cylinders is missing , wrote to Airfix, and they refuse to replace my missing part. All the best !

[@p40f20]

I had the same problem with the fuselage fit, and had to do the same fix that you did. It is still the best 1/72 scale Wildcat ever!

[@quickkits]

Thanks for letting me know!

[@irreversiblyhuman]

I’m building mine with wings folded. Enjoying It so far. I didn’t have any issues with fuselage, fitted perfectly. Surprised how little this fighter was.

[@cyber3408]

Great job as always owen!!!!!! Really liked your painting Iam just Speachless again great job!!!

[@quickkits]

Thank you very much :)

[@SzczepanZZ]

+Quick Kits Great work, as usual! And one quick question, what model would you recommend for a begginer (or uh, a person who had quite a break from plastic models)? Cheers! :)

[@quickkits]

Alcatraz252 Any 1:72 scale Airfix starter set would be a good way to get back in. I probably promote Airfix too much haha but their moulding is great, instructions are easy to follow and the starter sets actually have the colours you need for the model ( not looking at you Revell...)

[@unknowngaming1527]

Quick Kits shots fired

[@tacomanguyen6449]

Unknown Gaming XD

[@joshuacurtis3860]

I also had fit issues with the fuselage half and I’m actually building this model at the moment!!!!!

[@MrBruni005]

What a beautiful kit and very well built Owen even though you bumped into a few difficulties on the way. Such fine detail and quality in this kit as I can see, I'm going to have to get this kit someday!

[@quickkits]

Thanks Izaak, yeah I'd definitely recommend you try it at some point!

[@MrBruni005]

You're welcome, and yeah I'll try and pick one up when I see one but I'm pretty busy at the moment trying to sort out my college and work.

[@InternationalBritishModeler]

Another cool video, Owen. Nice of Airfix to give you the 1/72 scale kit....you should tell them that you prefer 1/24th scale kits and that you have a penchant for Typhoons and Mosquitos! :P

[@harrygrant6334]

Im watching this video owen videos are so helpful and good to guide modlers

[@iandouglas451]

very good especially the canopy

[@TMMAAS]

Some nice work on this Wildcat.

[@quickkits]

Thank you! :D

[@SenoEricKrueger]

Clicked like before even watching. Already know that this is a quality video

[@quickkits]

Thank you very much!

[@SenoEricKrueger]

Quick Kits You're welcome

[@riff2072]

Did the same thing. :)

[@SenoEricKrueger]

Riff anybody who watch this should do the same thing lol no doubt

[@britonsoftea8380]

Looks just as good as a airbrushed one nice build

[@MaxLenormand]

Hi Owen, nice build you made there! :)

[@punkrockpub]

A MAGNIFICENT BUILD!!! A Great Video Presentation!!! KUDOS!!!!

[@quickkits]

Thank you!

[@Nalpama]

I wished airfix also gave me free models...

[@khalidfadhlanhamizan1712]

Nalpama Alpha Me too XD

[@alvinchan7746]

Nalpama Alpha join the airfix club, buy some kits, stick the flying hours in your book provided in the clib and free kits happen

[@legohelicopter]

That's not free kits at all, that's kits you paid for by buying other ones

[@timsscalemodelbuilding4888]

legohelicopter you also need to pay to get the club membership

[@kon8459]

Same

[@spacecadet60]

great job on the wildcat, it looks terrific with your typically awesome painting and weathering ! I only regret that I can only give you 1 thumbs up here on you tube. :) hope this will suffice....👍👍👍👍

[@quickkits]

Hahaha thank you very much, I appreciate that :)

[@thebudderminecart7978]

Again, I went to a museum yesterday and luckily they had the plane. It was the same color as the paint that came with the set.

[@ronrico4741]

I built the Academy 1/72 Wildcat a few years ago, and i had to scratch build everything. This Airfix is nice

[@captainericwinklebrown2887]

what is really fun is watching quick kits, then watching quick kits at 1.25x speed then 1.5x speed, then twice as fast. super fast quick kits! then again normal speed is probably best for seeing the detail

[@DD-bv9jl]

I was waiting this thx owen

[@adamhowley8037]

My next build so thanks for the heads up

[@StrawberryJam1988]

great finally have a new video, like to see you build UK kit, which is Airfix

[@ELIGG15]

WHY IS THIS SO CALMING EEEEEE

[@liennahcarts5371]

I've got this kit in my stash and may look it out to build it.

[@UKscalemodeller]

nice work Owen

[@quickkits]

Thanks Ian!

[@piloto5248]

Thank you very much

[@lewisfitzgerald7146]

It's just amazing!

[@quickkits]

Thanks!

[@nathanasio2829]

You’ve been my inspiration for years! I am building this plane tomorrow because I was too lazy to do it today 😂 anyways that looks amazing

[@quickkits]

Best of luck with the build, I hope all goes well. Very pleased to be an inspiration 😃

[@thomasmcelroy3637]

i have just finished this kit .not the doubles one.the single.i have had no fit issues at all.i chose to do the royal navy one.perhaps this is a new tool kit i am not sure.thankyou for the videos very well done.yours tom

[@vodkaguy5077]

wow looks soo good 👍

[@nicklong4291]

I've had a similar problems with the paints in the starter sets/dogfight doubles paint colours, often completely wrong (The starter set FW-190 for example, as well as the dogfight double Zero) it seems as if Airfix doesn't have enough acrylic paints so they just misnumber a paint and hope new modellers won't notice (we do) Good build though! Good to see you have time at Uni to do it still

[@quickkits]

I've bought a Revell starter set which I'm planning on doing a video on with one of my flatmates and all the paints in that are totally wrong - at least Airfix seem to have got it mostly close. Anyway I'm glad you like the video :)

[@Fredfiscars]

Hello Owen, I didn't have any problems with fitting the fuselage. Some comments say that they needed to cut off the stubs completely, hmm, all I did was take off all the ejector pin marks, make the cockpit sides flush and even and stick it in with some superglue as I do. I even added some scratchbuilt details as the real thing would have, but it still did fit properly. Cheers, great video as always. Edgars

[@quickkits]

Thanks for letting me know Edgars, interesting to hear that there seems to be such difference in the mouldings... maybe there was one bad batch? I don't know.. anyway, I'm glad you liked the video too! :D

[@Fredfiscars]

+Quick Kits well, there is such thing as individuality. Each kit falls out from the mold differently, sort of, so each kit can have different fit issues.

[@sethjansson5652]

I'm currently building the Martlet F4F and so far, I have the cockpit, fuselage, landing gear, and tail. I also have the same problem with the landing gear part except my gear are crooked and I couldn't find a way to fix it, overall it's a really good kit so far.

[@mikloowl4899]

I built this kit probably a year back or so and I did not experience the problems with the fuselage that you did. I also changed up the color scheme a bit because I was not as interested in historical accuracy and made mine almost a sea foam green with grey.

[@quickkits]

That's a cool idea! And thanks for letting me know that you didn't have fuselage problems :)

[@johnbrown7858]

Great build ad usual Owen. I understand the light gray on the lower fuselage. My question is what color is the upper fuselage? It doesn't appear to be gray, or blue, but something in between.

[@magmaman6384]

Today I went to an air museum and went into the cockpit of a wildcat. Airfix really molded a great cockpit, as looking into the real one it looked almost exactly the same.

[@unknowngaming1527]

Magma Man what museum?

[@magmaman6384]

Palm Springs air museum

[@charlesmasters2045]

Black wheel wells? - I suggest people watch 'Kermie Cam - Grumman Wildcat' before painting this kit. Also, I have invested just a few £ in a magnifying light which really helps me paint tiny parts more accurately. Thanks for the excellent review again - I'll certainly make this kit in future (with the wheels down and possibly one or both wings folded).

[@kriegmodels1177]

Muy buena técnica de brocha, quedan de profesional tus modelos :D

[@thewatcher7682]

Translated: very good brush techniques to keep your model professional

[@timmy3822]

I literally built this kit today but as a starter set. I too had issues getting the fuselage to fit and ended up filling in a few bits with some putty I had lying around although it’s nowhere near as neat as yours. The model turned out ok although I didn’t paint anything until fully assembling it as was going to spray it with primer and apply the paint after. Will see how it goes by comparison to your build. Might even get a second of this kit at a later date and compare the two builds to see how my skills have improved as I have a real soft spot for the early war USMC aircraft like the Wildcat and Dauntless.

[@telescopereplicator]

8:37 The reason why the cockpit did not fit well and the fuselage halves would not go well together is because you did not take the time for some dry fitting. On my models, all parts always fit because I DO dry fit every part before I glue it into place. If needed I make adjustments and only when the part does fit nicely, it's glued into place. It's really that simple. A bit more work but always worth the effort !! ;-) First, I make sure the fuselage halves go together well (dry fit !). Then I add the cockpit without using glue and if the fuselage still closes nicely, everything is painted and the model is assembled.

[@quickkits]

Don't worry I did a lot of dry fitting, I've just edited it out. You're right though, I should have shown it more in the video. There was A LOT of sanding and trimming done to the cockpit, I wish I had done more to make it perfect but I was running out of time. I finished filming the end shots of the kit about an hour before having to leave home for uni :')

[@thewatcher7682]

did you not see the good minute of dry fitting to get it right?

[@pedroalbicastrense353]

Love it ! But à question why pva glue for decals ? Microsoft is better no ? Cheers from Portugal

[@gustofwind6101]

One word. Amazing xD

[@Seanthefox]

very nice

[@mystikwolf7906]

Awesome mate

[@quickkits]

Thanks!

[@quickkits]

***** I'm not quitting, it's just much more difficult to find the time now. Good luck with the hobby!

[@reito6439]

Hello, I will refer to this video technique. By the way, what is the width of a brush used to paint the torso?

[@steelman296]

In the process of building this kit myself, and I have to say the fuselage is the same if not worse, large gaps all the way down the underneath no matter how much I trimmed from the cockpit still wouldn't fit, just wish Bandai would start doing WWI/WWII and any other type of planes/tanks

[@ethan5354]

Absolutely awesome! Just as I expected! KUTGW

[@quickkits]

Thanks Ethan!

[@bajkal8837]

yey ! :D new video ;)

[@Shreds87]

Yep, every artwork (even the kits own artwork) shows thoes american navy planes in rather bright blue colors. However every paint set i ever saw (i like paint sets!) gives you the following: the yellowish green interior/cockpit color (zinc chromite), the yellow-green color which is used for chipping (because the lacguer based protector coat the janks used on the planes turned the aluminuim to that color if my sources are correct), satin white, which is the underside color, sea blue which is a rather dark blue-grey (almost black-ish) and an intermediate blue, which is the one you used on this nice wildcat. so no bright blues... mystery.

[@quickkits]

Interesting to hear that, thank you for the comment and knowledge

[@yehenadikari7269]

really well done Owen!! I have a question though: did the canopy come in one piece or 2 pieces?

[@quickkits]

Thanks! The closed canopy is in one piece, the open canopy has two pieces

[@nickboisvert877]

What grit sandpaper do you use to smooth the filler?

[@joserequena2290]

Can you do the air fix 1:72 scale Curtiss hawk 81-A

[@MrBruni005]

Just had to watch this again because I would find it brilliant to paint the engine because I haven't really painted an engine yet, well I have painted a Rolls Royce Merlin out of a Spitfire in 1/24 Scale... but I think I'll buy this kit next

[@adamsawesomeprojects664]

Owen can you do a timelapse on the airfix bf 109

[@carlcrutchfield5094]

Had same problem with body halves not fitting

[@donfoley1590]

I had the same problem with the fuselage

[@shellyfletcher5149]

if makeing a fig what if you sand to much how do fill it in jk

[@jjsgarage3634]

You cut the pilots feet off!! Oh the humanity!! 😂

[@DetailingCars]

I often feel like airfix kits are difficult when putting the fuselage halves togheter, always too small and leaves gaps :/

[@Minutemman]

The correct blue color is grey blue I do not know why airfix does stuff like this it happened to me with my airfix A-4 set. But otherwise AMAZING VIDEO!!!!!!

[@gregoriemorales9980]

My wildcat fit perfectly with no filler needed

[@quickkits]

Thanks for letting me know, it probably was just my kit

[@stevecox78]

Hi, really like your builds. I've only ever made star wars related models so far but watching your videos has made me wanna try aircraft now. I've started using Vallejo paints for my models and was widening what conversion charts for paints you use? As the ones I've looked at seem to have contradicting numbers for different paints which is a bit misleading as to which I should use. Cheers Keep up the great builds 👍🏻

[@quickkits]

Thank you, I'm glad you like the model! Paint conversion charts are always a tricky one and I usually end up doing a lot of checking on google anyway, but I find this one is good: www.paint4models.com/paintchart/paintconversionchart20100101h.html#

[@robertthompson9247]

another great and inspirational video. what is the filler you used on this model?

[@quickkits]

Thank you very much! Ronseal Smooth Finish Filler

[@Mishn0]

Yes, the paint scheme is a little bogus. Early war Wildcats like these markings would be appropriate for, were Navy blue gray over light gray. The indicated light gull gray is pretty close for the bottom color but the top should be much bluer. There was also an Atlantic scheme who's top color was pretty close to that which you used but the bottom of those were white and the white went much further up the sides than your scheme indicates. The Navy blue gray doesn't seem to be a very exact shade in pictures, it can be more gray or more blue depending on the exact photo you look at. I've used about a half and half mix of intermediate blue and light gull gray and it looks pretty good to me. The intermediate blue I mean is the shade used on the three color USN scheme from the middle of the war. French blue and light gull gray mixed would probably be pretty close too.

[@vegasspaceprogram6623]

I thought the coler scheim was really

[@richardcooper1330]

Hi Owen. Just finished the Airfix wildcat and need some advice on how to best mix an acrylic panel wash to be applied with fine brush. What quantity mix should I use?

[@quickkits]

I wouldn't recommend using acrylic for a panel wash. Mixed thinnly acrylic can sometimes separate and get a horrible finish, and once it's dried there's nothing you can do to remove it. I'd recommend using either water colour paint or a chalk wash

[@diggermantigermutt4079]

I had to completely cut of the plastic stubs to fit the fuselage. I was waiting for this video cuz I didn't know why it did that. I'm not the only one.

[@GeoffNelson]

Hey Owen, thanks for the great videos. Please remind me, what is the clay-like material you use to hold the canopy and pilot while painting? I know you've said in other videos but I can't find it.

[@quickkits]

Blutack here in the UK, I think called Plastitack in other countries? It's the stuff you put posters up with

[@GeoffNelson]

Quick Kits thanks a million

[@TomcatModelKits]

Hi Owen, great video! I want to know how you get such a great finish from acrylic paints. I watched your tutorial on how to paint scale models but it only showed how to paint using enamel paints. Thanks! :)

[@quickkits]

The techniques should apply to acrylic paint as well, though instead of enamel thinners use acrylic thinners or water. I'm glad you liked this video :)

[@TomcatModelKits]

You're welcome! Sorry for the late reply.

[@PlaneDrawings109]

i had the same problem with this fuselage join it was so stubborn to go togather. it was very good kit however and the b5n2 was the best part

[@quickkits]

I agree, the B5N2 was amazing. Thanks for letting me know you had the same fuselage problems

[@PlaneDrawings109]

no problem keep up the good work!

[@TheWaggishAmerican]

So, do you have more videos recordered or will we just have to wait until you get some sort of break from school?

[@quickkits]

Yeah, I thought I'd easily find the time to record voice over and stuff... oh how wrong I was haha

[@ghost-ep5is]

what way do you mix your filler with you should make a video on it

[@savaseltzer6988]

Hi Owen I just want to say that I actually had a problem with the landing gear because I put them down but the fuselage fit was great. Plus I love how the plane ended up. Also can you pls make some more bombers.

[@quickkits]

Thank you! I've got a Lancaster bomber in my stash :) keep up the good work!

[@savaseltzer6988]

Ok! ;)

[@user-ip1hz6hb5t]

🍀🍀good luck^^ 👏祝你愉快👏

[@benmarchessault7289]

Yay