Pro Resin 1/72 XF-92 Early as MiG-23 By Bill Powers

Introduction

The X-92A was an intermediate step between the original delta interceptor proposed by Convair and their successful F-102 and F-106 fighters and B-58. The original X-92 was a combination rocket/ramjet fighter with a swept wing later changed to a 45 degree delta. Convair’s contract was cancelled in 1948 as impractical based on the power plant. The next year a new contract was awarded for an interceptor that would ultimately be the F-102. The X-92A was proposed as a flying mock up to furnish data on delta wing behavior at high and low speeds. The plane went through many changes of engines, rear fuselage shapes and wing fences. It continued as a test vehicle until retired in 1954, having provided the data for a whole generation of delta descendents. At some point, it was used by film maker Howard Hughes in his movie Jet Pilot. Websites say the footage of this plane was cut out of the final film, but a few pictures exist of the plane with the red tail and the logo “MIG 23” as shown on the box art for this kit. Incidentally the movie is ridiculous!

The Kit

The kit comes in a small sturdy box with a zip lock bag for the pieces. Your first impression is WOW look at the quality of the pieces and there are a so many! It looks like a resin Tamigawa kit! All small pieces are still fastened to the molding tree so be prepared to remove these. Some are thin enough to snap off, which some have done and are loose in the bag...but only the control column was broken. The quality of molding is excellent! I found a couple of very small bubbles and that’s it! The kit has recessed panel lines which actually match when the fuselage halves are put together, plus very, very delicate flush rivets that probably won’t survive a coat of paint. The landing gear bays are separate pieces to be glued into the body. The gear is very well detailed as is the cockpit. Unfortunately the cockpit will be hidden by the canopy framing and there is no provision for opening the canopy. The kit comes with two very nicely made vacuum formed canopies, clear with crisp accurate framing!

The kit has decals for the film version as shown on the box art or an early USAF in all natural metal! The decals are by Begemot Decals who I understand make high quality decals. I’ve included several pictures to show the petit quality of the stenciling. I think the blue is a little dark on the insignia, but the red is out of register, so new ones are required anyway. There appears to be some color to the clear decal film but this may be the glue and will go away....I’ll let you know.

I included a picture of the plans to show both the quality of instruction and the detail found in the kit.

A test fit of the fuselage showed some warping, but I was able to tape them together, so this shouldn’t be a problem. I haven’t checked the alignment of the wings, the problem I had with my other Pro Resin.

Conclusion

All in all, this looks like a great kit! The quality is incredible, both the tiny pieces and the surface detail. I’m still toying with which version to do; the movie plane or all white, but the decals don’t support the all white version.

My first resin kit was a Pro Resin and it produced a gorgeous model. Looking at these kit pieces, this one will do the same!.

Thanks to Pro Resin for the review model.