Bola de Fogo

[TomZ]

Ryan Bola de Fogo



Design of the FR-1 began in 1943 because early jet engines had sluggish acceleration. Ryan received a contract for three XFR-1 prototypes and one static test airframe on 11 February 1943 with the first two prototypes delivered in 14 months. The first XFR-1 made its first flight on 25 June 1944 without its jet engine, but this was installed shortly afterwards. The second prototype first flew on 20 September 1944. A total of 66 were built for the US Navy but they were too late for the war and quickly overtaken by pure jets.



In 1947 the Brazilian Air Force was looking to acquire their first jet aircraft. They looked to buy the Gloster Meteor but negotiations were difficult as Brazil lacked foreign currency to pay for them. Ryan saw an opportunity and bought back the surplus FR-1s from the US Navy. The aircraft were refurbished and sold to Brazil for 1.2 million gallons of rum.



The Fireball served in the Brazilian Air Force until 1950 but suffered from poor maintenance and had a very low availability.





Model: Czech Model, 1/48

TomZ

[Old Wombat]

But, considering the only fuel the Brazilians could afford for them was Rum, no-one cared!

Very nicely done, Tom!

[kerick]

I thought that was a whiffed T-28 Trojan at first! Nice build.

[Nick]

Ryan Bola de Fogo



Design of the FR-1 began in 1943 because early jet engines had sluggish acceleration. Ryan received a contract for three XFR-1 prototypes and one static test airframe on 11 February 1943 with the first two prototypes delivered in 14 months. The first XFR-1 made its first flight on 25 June 1944 without its jet engine, but this was installed shortly afterwards. The second prototype first flew on 20 September 1944. A total of 66 were built for the US Navy but they were too late for the war and quickly overtaken by pure jets.



In 1947 the Brazilian Air Force was looking to acquire their first jet aircraft. They looked to buy the Gloster Meteor but negotiations were difficult as Brazil lacked foreign currency to pay for them. Ryan saw an opportunity and bought back the surplus FR-1s from the US Navy. The aircraft were refurbished and sold to Brazil for 1.2 million gallons of rum.

TomZ

That's enough rum for the Royal Navy for about 5 years!

The model looks excellent. It's an oft overlooked aircraft and you did well there.

[zenrat]

Good job.


Not an aircraft I was aware of.  I had to look it up.

[Dizzyfugu]

Very nice idea, I like this one a lot. 

I did a DarkShark (the turboprop-driven successor) in RCN colors many moons ago.

[AndrewF]

Superb.

[NARSES2]

I wasn't aware there was a 1/48 scale kit, only the 1/72. Come out very well Tom 

[Tophe]

rare subject, well done!

[Hotte]

Nice bird 

Hotte

[DogfighterZen]

That does look nice, small but good looking bird.