GRUMMAN F4F WILDCAT
The Grumman F4F Wildcat was a carrier-based aircraft that saw service with both the US Navy and the British Royal Navy in the early part of WWII from 1940. Initially deployed to the Atlantic, the Wildcat was then tasked with fighter duties in the early Pacific War where it was later joined by F6F Hellcats and F4U Corsairs.
YOUR KIT
This kit is a laser-cut replica of the original Veron Tru-flite model of a Grumman F4F Wildcat. Construction of the model from this kit uses the traditional method of "stick and tissue", that consists of a built up balsa wood skeleton (framework), covered with a tissue skin. The balsa frameworks are built over a plan that is printed at the exact scale of the model, which is in essence a real engineering drawing. Power is provided by rubber strip motor that is wound up before flight. Free flight means just that - once the model is launched, it is on its own. It must follow a predetermined flight path established when the model is initially adjusted for flight or "trimmed". This type of traditional building technique and flying requires a degree of patience and skill, but is extremely rewarding.
KIT CONTENTS
Balsa wood sheets with precise laser cut parts and strip wood.
One 150mm diameter plastic propeller.
One pre-bent motor hook and shaft.
One low friction plastic nose bushing for the propeller
Pair of 25mm plastic wheels.
Acetate sheet for canopy.
Piano wire for the main undercarriage and tail wheel.
One motor peg.
F.A.I. 3/16" rubber motor strip.
Tissue to cover the model.
Full size printed plan with instructions.
Please note: A decals/markings sheet is no longer available and not included in this kit.
UK SHIPPING
Most orders are shipped via Royal Mail’s Tracked 48 service.
For larger or heavier orders, we use UKMail/DHL to deliver your package on a Next Working Day service.
Shipping is free to UK Mainland addresses for orders over £30.00, otherwise we charge £6.00 for Royal Mail Tracked 48 parcels and £12.00 for UKMail/DHL Nest Working Day.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
Smaller items
Items that fit within Royal Mail International Tracked Medium Parcel parameters (59cm x 17cm x 15cm weighing less than 2kg) can be sent to most countries outside the UK.
For example up to 3 of our smaller 18” wingspan kits can fit into one of these parcels.
A parcel like this currently costs around £14 to Europe and around £18 to send to the USA and will take up to 3 weeks to arrive. This is because Royal Mail hands over the parcel to the local Post Office service for your country who have to clear it through customs and then deliver it to you.
The Royal Mail tracking code also transfers over to the tracking for your country’s postal service.
Larger items
For items that do not fit within Royal Mail International Tracked Medium Parcel parameters, we use standard international couriers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS.
These companies use something called volumetric weights to calculate the cost of shipping.
For example, a Balsa Basics RC bundle kit that measures 102cm x 34cm x 16cm and weighs 2.5 kg is actually calculated at 14kg!
This makes these very expensive to send outside the UK - a large kit can cost nearly £40 to send to France.
