American Prototype aircraft / X-planes
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Prototypes in 1/72 scale 
This page will show some models of American prototypes of various periods. 
The various American prototypes are better known after 1945 as the X-Planes. Many new aircraft concepts were tested and some of them put into production. 

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The Bell X-1 was the first aeroplane to reach the speed of sound, flown by Chuck Yeager on October 14, 1947.

Tamiya issued a nice 1/72 model in 1992, with a transparant fuselage also including the option to build several versions. Two canopies are also provided. I made two models out of it, making the extra wings from some plasticcard and making an extra undercarriage.


The model from the kit is very good with nice decals. You can make it straight out of the box.

Also the Revell 1/32 X-1 model was made, some pictures seen here:

. seen here in "Nevada"...

 

The  Bell X-2 was a X-plane to investigate high speeds around 1955 and the X-2 could reach Mach 3.2 (2094 mph)! It had a simple landing skid for use in the dry lake and it had a Curtiss-Wright XLR25 rocket engine.

The model is a 1/72 vacuform of "Project X", the unique manufacturer of typical X-planes from the U.K. 

It is a good model, with some smaller metal parts, the only difficulty being a good fix of the small cockpit window. Also add the small leading edge wing fences and the pitot from a needle.


The model was finished in glossy white and a final coat of Johnson Clear applied. I could not really use the decals. Markings came from the spare decalbox and I hand painted the Bell X- logo. 
 

The Douglas X-3 was flown in 1952 to research data on small aspect ratio wings  and turbojets. Because of its shape, it was known as the Stiletto.

The model in 1/72 was ofProject X, the only other model being an old Revell/Aurora kit in the odd scale of 1/64.


The vacuform kit can be made quite easily, only the glazing giving some work to get correct. The small wings were finished in Testors metallic.
Decals came from the sparebox, logo was hand painted
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The Convair XF-92A was a X-plane to investigate the pure Delta wing. It flew in 1948 and was intended to be followed by an actual F-92 fighter aircraft. The project never came beyond the testing stage. Data was later used for the F-106 Delta Dart and F-102 Delta Dagger aircraft types from Convair.

The model is a re-issued kit in 1993, (from Aurora) by Testors in 1/72. It lacks any undercarriage, which was scratch built. 


Otherwise, it is a good basic model. 

Yep, I known... decals also unfortunately turned out after some time a little yellownish..
 

The Convair XFY-1 Pogo was a X-plane flown in 1954 to investigate VTOL and new fighter concepts. It was in competition with the Lockheed XFV-1.

The model came from KP from the Czech Republic, issued in 1998 in 1/72 scale. It was finally available in 1/72 as an injection moulded kit. It is a very nice model, although adding some details in the cockpit will improve it. It was finished in metallic with paints from Testors.
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The Convair Seadart was flown in 1953 to test the strange concept of "sea going" jet fighters.
A number of aircraft were tested, but it suffered from accidents, corrision and other problems, leading to cancellation in 1954.

The only model in 1/72 is from the French  MACH2  company. The model is rather crude although injection moulded and needs some work. 

You will also need to add some exhaust tubing and cockpit details. Masking the yellow markings is real challenge on this bird.


On to page 2 of American X-planes...

References:
- X-planes, Jay Miller, Aerofax inc., 1995 (revised edition)
- Janes pocket book #12 on research ? experimental aircraft.

The British also made various prototypes...
The French also made various prototypes, some of them seen here....

Back to Model pictures.......

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