Steve Nelson wrote:
I really like the "conserve where possible, restore only where necessary" approach used on the Wildcat.
That corrugated cutout behind the exhaust port is weird. The only other Wildcat I can recall seeing it on is the FM-2 in the Guadalcanal diorama at the Naval Aviation Museum. Is it some sort of field mod, or just an uncommon factory installation?
SN
I'm glad you like the approach we used on the Wildcat. We didn't see any reason to obliterate its history just to put new paint on it. The corrugated cutout can be seen in some wartime photos. Most easily in this one from the Navy's history site;

.
Our Wildcat is from the first batch of General Motors' production so maybe it is something they changed later, but I really don't know.
James