My Second Entry

[PanzerWulff]

Well brian HAD to mention the Academy 1/72 F4F wildcat  It caused my mind to kick in and start my idea for an upgraded wildcat for escort carrier duty. so out came the box and the spare parts from other kits (Primarilry a 4 bladed prop from a T-bolt) and while watching TV i built the thing in one evening!!! I'm still thinking of cutting back the tips of the prop a little bit,but other than the canopy and drop tanks she's done. Back story to come







Enjoy!!!
"Panzer"

[nev]

Sure looks different with that big ole prop  

[Brian da Basher]

Apologies for "corrupting" you Panzer. She looks absolutely killer with that big horkin' prop!

Brian da Basher

[PanzerWulff]

Well It's done Here's the final pics and the story

October 25,1944 Leyte Gulf
Lt Jg Tom Sweeney sat in his General motors FM-3 "Bobcat" flying CAP over the ships of Taffy 2.On his radio he could hear the chatter of the desperate battle being fought by the escort carriers and destroyers of Taffy 3,Sweeney regretted having to remain on patrol while most of Taffy 2's planes flew to the aid of admiral Sprauge's escort group.He felt he should be helping to drive off the force of Japanese Battleships,Cruisers & destroyers,But they could not leave their own ships undefended either.Shortly after another flight of Avengers and Wildcats sped north from Taffy 2's carriers Sweeney spotted a glint of movement to the northwest "Hey Lead,I have Bogeys 10 O clock high about 3 miles out." he called out."I see em" responded Lt Burke the CAP flight leader,as the flight got closer they recognised the shapes of 6 G4M "Betty" bombers and their Zero escort. Lt burke took 8 of the patrol's fighters to keep the Zeros busy while Sweeney and his wingman Ensign Grady and another pair went for the Betty's.The Japanese were in for a bit of a surprise as the flights "Bobcats while looking like ordinary Wildcats had a few surprises up their sleeves,The first being an increased speed and rate of climb due to 250 extra horses under the cowl a supercharger and a new bigger 4 bladed prop.Sweeney and his wingman bounced the first pair of Bettys and the Japanese felt the effect of the Bobcat's other Surprise,General Motors had removed 2 of the .50 caliber machine guns from the wings and had Shoehorned a 20mm cannon in each wing inboard of the folding mechanisim.A 2 second burst from Sweeneys guns chewed into the bombers right wing causing it to rip away from the fuselage! a quick kick of the rudder slid his Bobcat right behind the second bomber,his gunfire stitched it's way up the fuselage shattering the tail gunners position before swinging across the left wing setting the engine ablaze, Grady cheered "Thats #5 Sweeny you made Ace!!" as the pair banked in on another pair of bombers." Grady you take the one on the right I got the other one."said Sweeney the two bombers didnt stand a chance.......







I hope ya liked it
"Panzer"

[Rafael]

LIKE IT? I LOVE IT!!![/size]

Navy blue sure dresses any airplane beautifully, and the big, honking prop is a great addition, as is the increased armament.

All in all, Chris, a superb subject, superbly executed with a exciting backstory!!!

Great one

Rafa

[Eddie M.]

SWEET!! B) I love the new prop and the colors you chose are great looking. Excellent work!! :salute:
  Eddie