[Page 2]
Prototypes in 1/72 scale
on this page 2...
The North
American X-15 was the fastest plane flown up till date, reaching a
record speed of Mach 6.72 in 1965. First flight
was in 1959. The X-15 was a Thiokol rocket propelled research aircraft
to get data on high speed aerodynamics. Several planes were built.
The model is of Monogram
in
1/72 scale and it is an excellent injection moulded model, the older model
being in an odd scale of Revell/Aurora.
The finish is black with some options
on the different derivatives flown of the X-15. The decals of the kit are
a bit thin, so first put some yellow backing sheet before applying the
yellow NASA logo's.
The Lockheed F-94 Starfire was first flown in 1949 as the USAF was in need of an interceptor. It was based on the first experiences of the F-80 shooting star flown a few years earlier. The number of F-94's in service was over 800 in the USAF in several versions.
The YF-94 model shown is of Emhar in 1/72 scale with the kit's decals and the kit is a bit rough in areas. However, when detailed and carefully assembled and sanded, it will result in a nice representation.
The Northrop Hornet was developed initially as the YF-17, in competition with the YF-16 for the USAF Light Fighter requirement of 1975. Later on, the YF-17 was used as a basis for the (later McDonnell Douglas) F-18, the YF-18 model being shown.
The F-18 is, as the General Dynamics (later Lockheed) F-16 in the USAF and NATO countries, in wide use with both US NAVY, Canada, Australia and Malaysia.
The YF-18 model shown has the special test markings, which are supplied with the good Hasegawa YF-18 kit in 1/72 scale. The thin blue striping were made from lines from special decals and the blue panels were sprayed on.
The Lockheed Cheyenne was a Lockheed design for a fast attack helicopter. It featured a pusher propeller besides the conventional rotors. The AH-56A Cheyenne was able to reach a maximum speed of 253 mph and the test program of 1969 was successful. However it was considered too expensive to put into production.
...
The model in 1/72 scale was the old
model from AURORA.
It is a rather crude model, especially
in the rotor area. I replaced the rotorhub and rotorblades with reduced
length blades from an Airfix CH-54. Panels were filled and the gaps filled.
Also, the cockpit was detailed and I opened the hatches with some clear
plastic.
XV-22
The Bell XV-22 Osprey was a design to get a VTOL aircraft capable of high horizontal speeds by using a rotating large propeller/rotor. The XV-22 first flew in 1989 and although being a good design in itself, it has suffered a lot of teething problems. The V-22 is nowadays finally being depolyed after lots and lots of problems....
The model in 1/72 is from Italeri.
It has been made as the "prototype", with white finish with dayglow panels.
I opened the entrance door and made the striping and decals myself.
Detailing was done by adding an interior
and static dischargers.
(note... decals have a problem here... will be corrected...)
I also made a second kit, with an
"assumed" Marines Osprey with folded rotors. Unfortunately I made an error
with the exact location of the rotorblade hinges, but the picture is shown
anyway. Important remains to study real pictures of any model that you
make, as I based the model on a "later proved to be inaccurate" drawing!
The Lockheed YF-22 is a design to get into a "state of the art" fighter as replacement of the F-15 air superiority aircraft in the USAF inventory.
The YF-22 flew first in the beginning of the nineteenhundred-nineties and currently flight test results have resulted into a re-design into the F-22 Raptor.
The model from Italeri
representing
the prototype in 1/72 is quite good. It was made "straight out of the box".
I only added the internal missile weaponsbay and intake ducting.
The newer kit of Italeri in 1/72 of
the F-22 Raptor is unfortunately very inaccurate.
- X-planes, Jay Miller, Aerofax inc., 1995 (revised edition)
- Janes pocket book 12 on research & experimental aircraft.
To next page 3 of American X-planes...
Created
May 28, 2001
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