Plane 24-F-9 squadron code scavenged from spare decal sheets, some translucent decal film can be seen. This problem was alleviated in future models via following techniques : 1) Use ceramic tile base, place wet decal on surface, shear excess decal film with XACTO knife, 2) Purchase after-market decals (ex. Superscale, Meteor Productions, Two Bobs Aviation) with high quality ultra-thin film, but this can be more expensive than the model kit itself, 3) Use dry-transfer stencils, which require sufficient work space to rub-on the markings. Uwe Militaria After Market Decals - UweMilitaria.org/Technique/decal2Aftermarket.html

Slight historical discrepancy, based on latest photo evidence, squadron code on right fuselage should have been positioned as 9-F-24 (24th plane of VF-9), instead of 24-F-9. On left fuselage, code 9-F-24 is correctly placed. Ahhh...live and learn.

Inset 1 : From Pacific Fighters game, Wildcat in mid-1942 US markings, on strafing run against Japanese airfield in South Pacific.

Rollover : Smaller numeral 24 decals from 1.72nd decal sheets. Numerals on upper wings aligned to be viewed once wings are folded (which would block display of fuselage squadron code). On engine cowling, numerals placed in three position, white numeral 24 on left and right sides, black numeral 24 on cowling immediately below propeller. Black gun exhaust streaks mimic via brushed-on black pastel powder. Rudder and aileron crevices emphasized by combination of black paint wash and needle-nose permanent black markers. Uwe Militaria Painting Techniques - UweMilitaria.org/Technique/wea6Painting.html

PC and Console games (Xbox, PS2, etc) can offer various aspects of historical-setting combat and/or flight simulation. In mimicking F4F Wildcat operations, these games include :

1) Combat Flight Simulator 2: WWII Pacific Theater (PC) 2000 release
www.gamespot.com/pc/sim/combatflightsimulator2wpt/screenindex.html

2) IL2's Pacific Fighters (PC) 2004 release
www.gamespot.com/pc/sim/pacificfighters/screenindex.html

3) Heroes of the Pacific (PC, Xbox, PS2) 2005 release
www.gamespot.com/pc/sim/heroes_of_the_pacific/screenindex.html

Inset 2 : From Heroes of the Pacific game, Wildcat in mid-1942 markings, intercepts Japanese medium bombers in South Pacific.