Carousel 1 – 1/48 Scale F4F-3 United States Navy VF-3 “FIghting Three” USS Lexington (CV 2) Bismark Sea 20 February 1942 Lt. Edward “Butch” O’HARE, Medal of Honor (7 Victories) Diecast Model Plane

Carousel 1 – 1/48 Scale F4F-3 United States Navy VF-3 “FIghting Three” USS Lexington (CV 2) Bismark Sea 20 February 1942 Lt. Edward “Butch” O’HARE, Medal of Honor (7 Victories) Diecast Model Plane

Edward “Butch” O’Hare was a 1937 Annapolis graduate and a member of Fighting Squadron 3, which was based on the aircraft carrier USS Lexington in early 1942. Japanese forces thrust towards Port Moresby, New Guinea, to gain a base for an invasion of Australia. The US Navy gambled one of their three Pacific aircraft carriers to strike the Japanese base at Rabaul in the Bismark Sea. But Japanese flying boats spotted the Lexington 400 miles from its target. Instead of launching an attack, the Lexington and its task force were attacked by two waves of Rabaul-based Mitsubishi G4M1 “Betty” twin engine bombers. Nine Mitsubishis were intercepted by fourteen VF 3 F4F-3’s which downed five Mitsubishis for the cost of two F4F’s. The F4F’s were low on fuel and preparing to land or out of position when the second wave of eight Mitsubishi bombers attacked. There were only two F4F’s that could stop them-O’Hare and his wingman, whose guns jammed (a then-common F4F problem). O’Hare attacked from the side, shooting down two on his first pass. On his next pass O’Hare flamed two more. On his third pass O’Hare exploded the leader of the Japanese formation, before the Mitsubishis were in position to drop their bombs, none of which scored a hit.

Grumman F4F Wildcat

Designed to meet a US Navy requirement for a new carrier-based fighter, the F-4F was first flown on September 2nd, 1937. Originally used by the British (who called it the Martlet) against the Luftwaffe, the Wildcat also became the United States Navy’s primary carrier fighter in the Pacific Theatre. The Wildcat was no match for the maneuverability of the Japanese Zero, but the two airplanes were roughly equal in speed and the F-4F was able to absorb far more damage. With its array of 6 x 12.7mm machine guns and its distinctive Thach weave maneuver, two Wildcats could handle four or five Zeros.

Carousel’s 1:48 scale Wildcat series pays tribute one of the US Navy’s iconic Pacific theater aircraft of WWII. The models in this series feature a solid diecast propeller that spins with almost no friction, with details of the radial engine clearly visible through the cowling. The landing gear is constructed as a subassembly and is securely locked in place with magnets. The closed main landing gear and wing mounted fuel tank (optional fuel tank available with most releases) slip in place and are also secured with magnets. The removable canopy and pilot figure allows for easy viewing of a detailed cockpit interior.

Features:

• Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Pad printed markings and placards that won’t fade or peel like decals.
• Interchangeable extended/retracted metal landing gear with rotating wheels and rubber tires.
• Extremely detailed cockpit interiors with glazed instruments.
• Detailed removable pilot figures.
• Spinning metal propellers.
• Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads.

Product Id: 6183