{"product_id":"hobby-master-ha8902-1-48-grumman-f4f-4-wildcat-usn-vf-3-white-23-john-thach-uss-yorktown-battle-of-midway-1942","title":"Hobby Master HA8902 1:48 Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat USN VF-3 White 23 John Thach USS Yorktown Battle of Midway 1942","description":"\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn exceptional and highly detailed 1:48 scale diecast representation of Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat White 23, flown by Lieutenant Commander John S. Thach of United States Navy Fighting Squadron Three during the Battle of Midway.\u003c\/strong\u003e Released as part of the Hobby Master Air Power Series, HA8902 depicts the carrier-based fighter while operating from USS Yorktown during June 1942.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Thach was the commanding officer of VF-3 and one of the most influential United States Navy fighter tacticians of the Second World War. Before the Battle of Midway, he developed a coordinated defensive manoeuvre intended to help Wildcat pilots counter the greater turning performance of the Mitsubishi A6M Zero.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe manoeuvre, later widely known as the “Thach Weave”, relied on two sections of aircraft repeatedly crossing one another's flight paths. When an enemy fighter attempted to attack one Wildcat, the other aircraft would turn towards its partner and place the pursuing fighter within its field of fire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the morning of 4th June 1942, Thach led six VF-3 F4F-4 Wildcats from USS Yorktown to escort the Douglas TBD Devastators of Torpedo Squadron Three. The American formation encountered a significantly larger force of Japanese Zero fighters while approaching the carrier fleet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the numerical disadvantage, Thach and his pilots used coordinated defensive tactics to resist the attacking aircraft. Thach was credited with three victories during the engagement, while the performance of the Wildcat formation demonstrated the effectiveness of disciplined teamwork against a more manoeuvrable opponent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe model represents F4F-4 Wildcat Bureau Number 5093, carrying the prominent identification White 23, also recorded as F-23. Its restrained blue-grey upper surfaces, light grey undersides, early-war US Navy national insignia and white tactical numbers recreate the appearance of an operational carrier fighter during one of the Pacific War's most important battles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Grumman F4F Wildcat first entered United States Navy service shortly before the Second World War. Although it was generally slower and less agile than the Japanese Zero, the Wildcat possessed a strong airframe, armour protection and self-sealing fuel tanks which gave it excellent combat durability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe F4F-4 introduced folding wings, allowing more fighters to be carried aboard American aircraft carriers. It was armed with six wing-mounted .50 calibre machine guns and became the principal US Navy carrier fighter during the Battle of Midway and the opening stages of the Guadalcanal campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLimited to 1,000 pieces worldwide, this substantial Hobby Master release features extensive diecast construction, realistic panel lines and permanently applied markings. Additional details include a sliding cockpit canopy, removable pilot figure, detailed radial engine and propeller, positionable landing gear, removable centreline fuel tank and the original Hobby Master presentation display stand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFact Sheet\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hobby Master\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Air Power Series\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel code:\u003c\/strong\u003e HA8902\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBureau Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5093\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTactical Markings:\u003c\/strong\u003e White 23 \/ F-23\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePilot:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lieutenant Commander John S. Thach\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnit:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States Navy VF-3\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAircraft Carrier:\u003c\/strong\u003e USS Yorktown (CV-5)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCampaign \/ Event:\u003c\/strong\u003e Battle of Midway\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheatre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pacific Theatre\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate\/Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4th–6th June 1942\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOperator \/ Country:\u003c\/strong\u003e United States Navy \/ United States\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRole:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carrier-based fighter and escort aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:48\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLimited Edition Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1,000 pieces worldwide\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heavyweight diecast metal with quality sub-components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low-run limited edition, authentic VF-3 White 23 markings, early-war blue-grey US Navy finish, detailed cockpit, sliding canopy, removable pilot figure, rotating propeller, detailed radial engine, positionable landing gear, removable centreline fuel tank and original presentation display stand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eModel Dimensions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"tcv-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.25\" or 18.3 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWidth (Wingspan):\u003c\/strong\u003e 9.5\" or 24.1 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eCondition\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Condition - Near Mint (9\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe model is in near mint condition overall and comes complete.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSome very light handling wear is present.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBox condition - Excellent (8\/10)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe box is in excellent condition overall, with some wear present to the edges and corners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePhotographed under studio lighting to highlight even the smallest imperfections. Buy with confidence, what you see is exactly what you get.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAny imperfections are shown in the images and description. Refer to the grading tab for more details. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hobby Master","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57788130853246,"sku":null,"price":125.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0773\/4640\/6704\/files\/IMG_5694.jpg?v=1785777276","url":"https:\/\/www.thecollectablesvault.com\/products\/hobby-master-ha8902-1-48-grumman-f4f-4-wildcat-usn-vf-3-white-23-john-thach-uss-yorktown-battle-of-midway-1942","provider":"The Collectables Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}