Pro
Resin 1/72 scale Curtiss XF15C-1 "Stingaree", kits R72-007
early and R72-008 late
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History
The Curtiss XF15C-1 was to be a carrier-based fighter combining a traditional
piston engine with the then new-technology jet engine. The piston-driven
propeller would endow the plane with a reasonable cruising speed and useful
range, while the jet engine would provide added thrust for takeoff and
a burst of speed when needed for combat. The U.S. Navy ordered three prototypes
on April 7, 1944 with the first one taking to the air (minus its jet engine)
on February 27, 1945. The Goblin jet engine was installed in April of
that year. On May 8, 1945 the piston engine quit during landing approach
and the test pilot, Lloyd Childs, was killed. Test flights resumed again
in July 1945, with the horizontal stabilizer now moved higher up on the
vertical tail in a T-tail arrangement.
Technical Data
Manufacturer: Curtis-Wright Corporation
Type: carrier-based fighter
Piston engine: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-34-W
Jet engine: Allis-Chalmers/de Havilland H1-B Goblin
Wing span: 48 feet
Max. speed: 469 MPH
Length: 44 feet
Range: 1385 miles
Height: 15 feet 3 inches
Rate of climb: 5020 feet per minute
Wing area: 400 square feet
Service ceiling: 41800 feet
Gross weight: 18698 pounds
Armament: four 20mm cannon in the wings
The Kit
Y'know, I've seen a lot of 1/72 scale models over
the years, and I've seen a lot of resin models. But I've never seen anything
quite like these two kits before. Disregard the misspelling of the aircraft's
nickname on the box art - whomever made the masters for these is a true
artisan. Each of these kits contains 46 of the most exquisitely detailed
resin parts I've ever laid eyes on - the recessed panel line and rivet
(!) detail is absolutely breathtaking; it's so fine that it demands the
use of a top-quality lacquer paint such as Tamiya spray or Gunze Sangyo
Mr. Color - anything else risks obscuring it.
 Both
kits are identical except for a few specific parts unique to the early
or late version, and either can be built with an exposed prop hub or a
spinner even though the option isn't shown in the instructions - be sure
though to either shorten the prop blades or deepen the holes in the spinner
if you use it. The models feature full cockpit and gear well detail, with
the cockpit made up of a full floor with consoles, seat, control stick,
and instrument panel shroud all in resin; and a resin/photo-etched instrument
panel with film instrument faces, photo-etched lap belt & shoulder
harness, and photo-etched side console details and rudder pedals.
 All
of the detail parts are just as impressive as the fuselage and wings,
if not more so since they're so much smaller. Gear doors are completely
detailed on their insides and the struts and wheels rival the best injection-molded
parts. The vac-formed canopy is thin with crisp frame lines, but not so
thin as to be flimsy, while the matte finish decals appear to be both
thin and opaque.
If the kits fit together as well as they look good they should be a
pleasure to build - I'll let you know in the March or April issue! If
I have any qualms at all about them they're the usual pitfalls of limited-run
kits: (1) there's no spare canopy so no second chance for the ham-fisted
(like me), (2) the wing-to-fuselage assembly consists of simple butt joints
and really needs to be reinforced by the builder, and (3) the resin gear
legs probably won't stand the test of time - even though the fuselages
are hollow cast the wings are solid and these are gonna be heavy models.
Conclusion
Because of the quality and their unique subject matter these are 'must-haves'
for anyone interested in US Naval aviation, and especially for those turned
on by oddball aircraft. Very highly recommended!
For clearer and bigger pics of the kit parts check out the online catalog
of Pro Resin Models
. My thanks to Joe Francesco of Joe's
Models for the review samples. Joe carries a large range of high-quality
resin kits from Eastern Europe - drop him an email for further details.
References
1. Model Airplane News, October 1947
2. Curtiss P-40, XP-46, XP-60, AJ Press, 2000
3. Quonset
Air Museum
4. Aeroweb
5. Dave's
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