Awesome kit. Several build options. I went with the overall gray, USN. No USN collection is complete without this little guy. She now stands on my shelf, between a F-3F1 and F-3F2, and a Wildcat. Next in line is the Hellcat, and it gives a nice representation of how US Naval aircraft grew in size, as did all aircraft, from the '30s and into WWII. The fit was excellent, as always with Tamiya, and the kit includes a mask for, not only the canopy, but also the ventral window on the underside of the aircraft. The decals can't be beat. The only problem with this kit is deciding which version to build. The pre-war yellow wing paint scheme is not included in the options, but you could easily pull it off with a little research. I intend to buy another, and paint in that scheme.

Timaya probably built this kit to get even for the war It has been a very nice build; very good cockpit detail that actually comes together beautifully when enclosing it in the fuselage; (something I don't often see great engine or cockpit detail usually mean wresting with closing in the fuselage). Nice details o three different countries use of it,( with VERY mixed results) but I chose the USS Long island version; online this is a picture of a Buffalo that caved in its landing on the Long island ( a problem he aircraft had), and I've been thinking of reproducing the crashed aircraft, since I wonder if the kit was modeled after that aircraft. Too nice a kit to do that to, though; too good a build.

This kit is truly representative of Tamiya quality and attention to detail. The detail is world class, especially the cockpit. No over flash on the sprues and parts come of cleanly with minimal cleanly. The build is smooth and enjoyable with parts that fit together tightly and easy o follow instructions. With careful painting a life like result evolves.