Kit Previews P – Z
Sud Ouest Aviation Vautour IIB
The Sud-Ouest Aviation (SNCASO) S.O. 4050 Vautour II (French for vulture) was a jet-powered bomber, interceptor, and attack aircraft developed and manufactured for the Armee de l’Air in the mid-1950’s. It was a key part of France’s nuclear deterrent for a decade despite its lack of radar and state-of-the-art targeting equipment.
Vickers Super VC 10
Entering service in 1965, the Vickers Super VC 10 was elegant, economical and state-of-the-art, but came on the scene too late to compete effectively against the DC-8 and Boeing 707…
EWR VJ 101C X-1
The EWR VJ 101 was an experimental German jet fighter VTOL prototype able to tilt its jet engines to a full vertical position, and was intended to replace the F-104 Starfighter as a front-line point defense interceptor. The prototype flew for the first time in free hovering flight on April 10, 1963. It exceeded Mach 1 several times following a vertical take-off on September 14, 1964, and led to a second prototype featuring afterburning engines. Despite its promise, it was cancelled in 1968.
Vultee V-1A
Vultee V-1A by Special Hobby Kit No. SH72130 1/72 scale Cost: $28.00 Decals: Three versions -- two American Airlines; one for Crusader Oil Company of Rahway, New Jersey Comments: Engraved panel lines; detailed cockpit; resin detail parts for the cockpit and engine;...
Westland Lynx
Westland Lynx AH Mk. I by Fujimi 1/72 scale Kit No. 7A19 Cost: $10.00 Decals: One version Comments: Nice exterior detail; rather heavy engraved panel lines; option for naval version with different nose, but no naval markings or ordnance History Westland's Lynx AH Mk.I...
Westland Lysander Mk. III
Sent to France upon the outbreak of WWII as an army cooperation and artillery spotter aircraft, its high-casualty operations during May-June 1940 prompted the British to withdraw the Westland Lysander from daylight operations after Dunkirk. But with its STOL capabilities and impressive manueverability, it would have a second, highly successful career supporting special operations behind enemy lines in Occupied Europe and the Far East.
Westland Lysander Mk. III
Westland Lysander Mk. III by Italeri 1/48 scale Kit No. 804 Cost: $15.00 Decals: Two versions - Royal Air Force and Free French Comments: Old kit; 1994 re-issue of 1960's Hawk kit under Italeri label; raised panel lines; basic cockpit; nice stressed fabric effect on...
CAC CA-9 Wirraway
Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-9 Wirraway by Special Hobby 1/72 scaleKit No. SH 72194Cost: $25.00Decals: Three versions - all Royal Australian Air ForceComments: Engraved panel lines, internal cockpit cage, resin engine and cowl History The Commonwealth Aircraft...
WKF D.1
The WKF D. 1 was a fighter aircraft built in Austria-Hungary in the final months of World War I. Similar to the German Albatros, it was rugged with a powerful engine but the Armistice came about before it could enter combat. An estimated 28 machines were built before war’s end, only to be destroyed by the Allies.
Bell X-1
Released in 1991, Tamiya’s kit of the historic Bell X-1 is both accurate and highly detailed, featuring engraved panel lines, a positionable main hatch, detailed cockpit and internal components including fuel tanks and a rocket motor.
Bell X-1A/D
Bell X-1A/D by Special Hobby 1/72 scale Kit No. SH 72160 Cost: $28.00 Decals: Four versions Comments: Engraved panel lines, resin wheel wells History The Bell X-1 (originally XS-1) was a very successful test aircraft, securing its place in aviation history when it...
Douglas X-3 Stiletto
Douglas X-3 Stiletto by Revell 1/65 scaleKit No. 8620Cost: $20.00Decals: One version - U.S. Air ForceComments: Old mold; 1982 "History Makers" re-issue of a 1950's kit History The lance-like Douglas X-3 flew for the first time on October 15, 1952, taking off from the...
Northrop X-4
Northrop X-4 by Collectaire 1/48 scale Kit No: 4840 Cost: $100.00 Decals: One version Comments: Cast resin with white metal detail parts and vacuform canopy History The Northrop X-4 Bantam was a prototype small twin-jet aircraft manufactured by Northrop Corporation in...
Bell X-5
Bell X-5 by Revell 1/40 scaleKit No. 8619Cost: 15.00Decals: One version - U.S. Air Force test aircraftComments: Engraved panel lines, flush rivet detail, variable geometry wings, optional position canopy History The Bell X-5 was the first aircraft capable of adjusting...
North American X-15
North American X-15 Experimental Rocket Aircraft by Revell 1/72 scale Kit No. 5247 Cost: $12.00 Decals: One version - U.S. Air Force Comments: Former Monogram kit; includes display stand, auxiliary fuel tanks, and standing pilot figure History Built by North American...
Grumman XF5F Skyrocket
Grumman XF5F-1 Skyrocket by Minicraft 1/48 scale Kit No. 11628 Cost: $24.00 Decals: Two versions: Pre-war yellow wing version, and a Navy WWII version Comments: Fine engraved detail; revolutionary 1930's design for naval fighter that ultimately led to Grumman F7F...
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin by MPM 1/72 scaleKit No. 72042Cost: $16.00 (aftermarket)Decals: One version, U.S. Air ForceComments: Delicate engraved panel lines; photo-etch parts for cockpit and wing fins History The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin was designed to be an internally...
Convair XF-92A Dart
Convair XF-92A by Testors 1/72 scaleKit. No. 941Cost: $10.00Decals: One version - U.S. Air Force experimental aircraftComments: Engraved panel lines; one-piece canopy; raised rivet detail on wings; no landing gear; includes display stand and four air-to-air missiles...
Convair XFY-1 “Pogo Plane”
Convair XFY-1 "Pogo Plane" by KP 1/72 scale Kit No. 33 Cost: $15.00 Decals: One version - U.S. Navy Comments: Engraved panel lines; Decals by Propagteam; First American vertical take-off fixed wing aircraft History On November 2, 1954, Convair's XFY-1 took its first...
Lockheed XFV-1 Salmon
The Lockheed XF-1 “Salmon” was an experimental U.S. Navy fighter of the 1950’s designed to test the feasibility of a shipboard fighter for fleet defense that was capable of vertical take-off and landing. It was also intended to test the ability of an aircraft to transition from vertical to horizontal flight, and was a contemporary of the Convair XFY-1 “Pogo Plane.” Despite extensive testing involving 32 flights, it never took off or landed vertically.