Astro32 Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 I guess the one saving grace of lockdown is having more time. In the process of going through my stash, to organize, prioritize, and eliminate, I came across my thrift store score Trumpy Wildcat and the first issue Revell Wildcat I found recently. Just for grins I lined up the fuselage halves of both and I was quite surprised at the differences! The Trumpy fuselage is about 1/8" shallower, and the vertical fin is shaped quite differently as well. I don't have any profiles to compare them against, but just in comparing against photographs, to me it looks like Revell takes the win, at least from the firewall back. Trumpy's cowl is quite a bit smaller but appears more accurate. Mainly I'm really curious about the differences. Has anyone compared the two? mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Mike Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Good point. I think that over the years Trumpy, while very prolific has come up short across the board. Since I build 1/32, my comments pertain strictly to our scale, and mainly props. Comparisons over the years have pointed to many of the older, original kits being as accurate, or more accurate in shape, outline and geometry. The older kits still build up well, and over the years have seen many fine builds at shows all around the world. The Revell Wildcat also has stunning boxart. Fred Jack, LSP_K2, mpk and 2 others 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanKB Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Trumpy have come up with the occasional gem, like the Avenger & the Stringbag and, more recently, the B-24 (value wise) & P-61.  Still doesn't quite make up for the likes of HB's Spitfire, Trumpy's P-40B, Stuka, F4F, P-51B, MiG-3 & Corsair.  Having said that, they've helped develop 1/32 from a backwater to a serious scale with enormous choice, and I've got most of their less vaunted kits anyway. Except the B Mustang. Have to draw a line somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coogrfan Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 (edited) Are we talking about Trumpy's original F4F or the retooled version? IMO the latter is the best Wildcat released in any scale.  http://kits.kitreview.com/f4f432reviewbg_2.htm Edited March 21, 2020 by coogrfan mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thierry laurent Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Well, the question is which Trumpeter kit you used as, on one hand, the initial release of the first kit was quite inaccurate and, on another hand, they released three distinct marks. The Wildcat used different cowls and tails. So, this may also explain some differences. I do not remember the results of a similar comparison I made some years ago. My idea to get both kits was to make a d-day Martlet based on the Trumpeter kit with the help of some Revell kit components and decals. mpk and coogrfan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanKB Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 22 minutes ago, coogrfan said: Are we talking about Trumpy's original F4F or the retooled version? IMO the latter is the best Wildcat released in any scale.  http://kits.kitreview.com/f4f432reviewbg_2.htm The disastrous first one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro32 Posted March 21, 2020 Author Share Posted March 21, 2020 33 minutes ago, coogrfan said: Are we talking about Trumpy's original F4F or the retooled version? What I have is #02223, dated 2002. mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 I have both somewhere - boxes and numbers are identical if I recall correctly... Â If you post a photo of the fuselage sprue we'll be able to tell you *very* quickly! Â Chances are it's the re-tooled kit - and that is better than the old Revell kit IMHO (I've built both). Â Iain mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 None of the original flawed kits ever made it to the U.S., so if you bought it there, it will be the re-tooled version. Â Kev Rick Griewski, mpk, LSP_K2 and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Mike Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Interesting infobit. mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro32 Posted March 21, 2020 Author Share Posted March 21, 2020 Thanks folks. Looks like it's the retooled version. The -4 specifically. As I recall, the original bad batch was much more like the prototype than the production versions. I'm still liking the Revell fuselage especially, but again without specific data from accurate plans I'm just guessing. However, it's just curiosity talking! I am amazed at just how good the old Revell kit was, especially for the time. They still build up well. mpk and MikeC 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 5 hours ago, Astro32 said: I guess the one saving grace of lockdown is having more time. In the process of going through my stash, to organize, prioritize, and eliminate, I came across my thrift store score Trumpy Wildcat and the first issue Revell Wildcat I found recently. Just for grins I lined up the fuselage halves of both and I was quite surprised at the differences! The Trumpy fuselage is about 1/8" shallower, and the vertical fin is shaped quite differently as well. I don't have any profiles to compare them against, but just in comparing against photographs, to me it looks like Revell takes the win, at least from the firewall back. Trumpy's cowl is quite a bit smaller but appears more accurate. Mainly I'm really curious about the differences. Has anyone compared the two? Â you're in for the "hybrid" attempt ?? mpk and Astro32 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro32 Posted March 21, 2020 Author Share Posted March 21, 2020 1 minute ago, Jack said: Â you're in for the "hybrid" attempt ?? I might! The Trumpy's wings and horizontal tail surfaces look better so that may happen. If I can get good intel on dimensions, that may very well be the case. mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro32 Posted March 21, 2020 Author Share Posted March 21, 2020 Diameter of the Revell cowl opening: 1.17" or 29.9mm. Trumpeter: 1.11" or 28.2mm. Close! I wonder if Revell's pattern makers were working from an FM-2 and adjusted things for a -4? Revell's offering looks very like an FM-2 about the cowl area in general shape. mpk and coogrfan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Mike Posted March 22, 2020 Share Posted March 22, 2020 Hmmmm.... mpk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now