Model depicts US Navy F4F-3 Wildcat fighter of VF-9 fighter squadron assigned to escort carrier USS Ranger during Allied invasion of French North Africa (Operation Torch) in November 1942. Special invasion marking was yellow outline around US national insignia.

Technically this yellow outline was a shade of orange, but constant exposure to sunlight on the high seas made it appeared more yellowish tint. Model kit was built straight from the box, with minor detailing of its gun wing ports and canopy.

Original kit decals were for US Wildcat fighters in Pacific Theater circa 1942, hence purchased after-market Operation Torch decals, such as ones offered by Yellow Wings Decals - www.yellow-wingsdecals.com/shop/shop.html

Rollover : Wildcat topside spray painted acrylic US Navy Grey, its underbelly spray painted acrylic US Navy Gull Sea Grey. For highlighting surface details, used an old sock, dappled cloth into black pastel powder, gently rubbed the sock across raised surface details over entire model. Uwe Militaria Painting Techniques - UweMilitaria.org/Technique/wea6Painting.html

Inset : Color plate of state-side F4F-3 guns being serviced, the -3 variant had 4@50-caliber wing machine guns, upgraded to 6@50-caliber wing machine guns in -4 variant. Via metrics standard, also called 12.7mm heavy machine gun. M2 Browning Machine Gun - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M2_Browning_Machine_Gun