Code: CA-6182 Quantity in Basket: none Status: In Stock Price: $69.99
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Carousel 1 AirCraft 6182 F4F Wildcat Diecast Model USN VF-4 Red Rippers, Charlie Shields, 1940 Limited Edition 1:48 Scale     Length     Width Grumman F4F Wildcat     7.25"     9.5" The US Navy Fighter Squadron “Red Rippers” was formed as VF-5 in 1927 and has subsequently been designated as VF-4, VF-41, and currently VF-11. The F4F-3 first entered service in December 1940 with VF-4 (re-designated VF-41 in January 1941) on the USS Ranger, and Lt. Charles “Windy” Shields participated in this deployment. During the Winter months of 1939-40 and 1940-41, the Atlantic fleet was based in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The peace-time US Navy was unconcerned with camouflage, and wing upper surfaces were painted “yellow-orange” to make it easier to spot crashed aircraft. Each carrier’s aircraft featured a different tail color-green for those of the USS Ranger. As the threat of war increased, the Navy’s combat aircraft were camouflaged during 1941. The USS Ranger , the oldest carrier in the US fleet, was unsuitable for Pacific operations because of its short range and small size, so it remained in the Atlantic. American and British forces invaded Morocco, a territory of Nazi ally “Vichy” France in November 1942. The USS Ranger supported the landings at Casablanca, code-named “Operation Torch”. On November 8, 1942, Shields shot down four French aircraft: a Dewoitine D.520, two American-made Curtiss Hawk 75’s, and an American-made Douglas DB-7 bomber, before Shields was attacked by four more Hawks, which shot down his F4F-4. While hanging from his parachute, Shields was strafed by the French fighters, but they missed and he was captured by Vichy troops. French resistance collapsed three days later, and with the Vichy surrender, Shields was freed to rejoin the Ranger. He was awarded the Silver Star. VF-41, re-designated as VF-4, trained on F6F’s and was sent to the Pacific, first on the USS Bunker Hill, then on the USS Essex. In November, 1944 the Essex and VF-4 supported the American invasion of the Philippines. On November 25, 1944, when Shield’s wingman attacked a Japanese Kawasaki Ki.61 “Tony” decoy, both F6F’s were attacked by six more Kawasakis. Shields and his wingman each splashed a Kawasaki before the remainder fled, then they landed safely on the Essex. Later that day, the Essex was struck by a Kamikaze but remained in action. Lt. Charles Shields finished the war with five victories scored against French and Japanese enemies. Limited Edition of 2000 pieces worldwide. Carousel 1 AirCraft The Carousel 1 "AirCraft" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military aircraft. Carousel 1 "AirCraft" diecast airplanes feature: Diecast metal construction with some plastic components. Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details. Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals. Optional extended/retracted metal landing gear with rotating wheels and rubber tires. Extremely detailed cockpit interiors with glazed instruments. Detailed removable pilot figures. Spinning metal propellers. Accurately detailed underside with concealed screwheads. [See more Carousel 1 AirCraft products] Grumman F4F Wildcat Designed to meet a 1936 US Navy requirement for a new carrier-based fighter, the F-4F was first flown on September 2nd, 1937.[See more Grumman F4F Wildcat products]