The FM-2 was a variant of the Grumman Wildcat built by General Motors, Eastern Aircraft Division. GM built 2,890 of them, 40% of the total Wildcat production in the Linden, New Jersey plant. The FM-2 was lightened by reducing the guns to 4 from the F4F-4s 6- .50 Browning M-2s. Powered with a 1,350 HP Wright R-1820-56W with an uncuffed Curtiss Electric prop, the FM-2s performance was greatly enhanced over the F4F-4. The main differences from the F4F-4 was a taller tail to handle the increased torque of the R-1820, and a straight radio mast, replacing the forward raked mast of the F4F-4. Late versions carried 6- underwing Mk 5, 5-inch rockets. FM-2s served in the Pacific and Atlantic theatres, from small escort carriers.
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The model represents an FM-2 painted in the North Atlantic, ASW II camouflage scheme. FM-2s and TBF Avengers hunted in pairs and sunk 35 Nazi U-Boats.
This model is the 1:48 Hobbyboss FM-2 that was built out-of-the-box except for the streamlined prop boss that was found on later models. I turned styrene rod using a Dremel Tool as a lathe shaping with various grit sanding sticks. I also replaced the undersize kit seat with one from the scrap box.