.While the Grumman prototype XF4F-2 which first flew in September, 1937 was initially rejected by the United States Navy, a follow-up Grumman aircraft with many revisions flew in February, 1939 and was ultimately accepted as the F4F-3 Wildcat.  Two years following its deployment, during the critical stages of World War II in the Pacific combat theater, the improved F4F-4 Wildcat was introduced.  The F4F-4 included new folding wings, three 12.7 mm machine guns in each wing and a more powerful Pratt & Whitney R-1830-86 twin wasp radial engine which gave the Wildcat a top speed of about 318 m.p.h..  While the F4F Wildcat was inferior in many ways to the Mitsubishi Zero, an outstanding "kill ratio" was attained by Wildcat pilots due to superior pilot training and the fragility of the Zero which among other things lacked self-sealing fuel tanks.  This older F4F-4 Wildcat is molded in medium gray plastic and includes the following features: 1) Authentic markings for a F4F-4 flown by the United States Navy beginning in 1942; 2) Clear two piece plastic canopy; 3) Detailed cockpit; 4) Detailed radial engine; 5) Separate rudder; 6) Recessed panel lines with rivet detail; 7) Two wing mounted fuel drop tanks; 8) Painting guide and 9) Illustrated assembly instructions.  Note: this model kit does not include its original box.  Never started and 100% complete with all parts, decals and instructions inventoried.