A Couple of Skyrockets

[NARSES2]

Well here's the first of my MPM 1/72 Skyrockets.

USN Grumman F5F-2 of VMF-221 USS Lexington February 1942. The XF5F-1 was designed by Grumman in 1938 and first flew in late 1939. After successfull trials they were issued to the US Navy in the Autumn of 1940 and were gradually developed by Grumman until the F5F-7 was finally replaced by the F7F-1 Tigercat in mid 1945. One advantage the USN found over earlier types was the twin engined layout. This made for much safer flying over the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean if you had engine problems as the aircraft was safe flying on one engine. The other possible problem of heavy torque pulling the aircraft to one side whilst taking off had been overcome by Grumman by installing propellers that rotated in opposite directions. The Bobcat as she was named by the USN was extremely popular with her pilots and took part in most of the Pacific War's major battles.

Model is the MPM kit which considering its age went together very well. I changed the undercarriage door configuration as the USN found that the original one had a tendency to foul the wire (in reality because I couldn't get it to fit comfortable where intended  ). Paints are my usual mixture, mainly Xtracrylic and the markings are from the kit, spares box and a DP Caspar "Forgotten Operations" sheet -  "I-go Sakusen".

[NARSES2]

Here's the second Skyrocket

The Royal Navy's FAA received their first Skyrocket when the 12 aircraft destined for Greece in 1941 were kept in Liverpool after the fall of that country. With their non folding wings and Greek equipment they were not suitable for fleet issue but were kept for local defence duties. The feedback from their pilots was so encouraging that the FAA looked at buying some fully navalised examples and 20 were acquired from USN orders in the Autumn of 1941. These early examples were Grumman F5F-1 models and were named Kittywake Mk II's by the FAA. The Mk I were the ex Greek examples.

The model is of a Kittywake Mk III of 806 Sqd FAA serving aboard HMS Indomitable during Operation Pedestal August 1942. Apart from the same undercarriage door modifications as in the first kit the Mk III (F5F-3) had a stronger tailwheel, different windscreen, slightly canted tail fins and most obviously spinners. Paints are again Xtracrylic with the markings coming from a DP Caspar "Forgotten Operations" sheet - Pedestal August 1942.

I thoroughly enjoyed these two models and if I can find anymore I will build more. They may be old but the are nice 

[Dizzyfugu]

The FAA Skyrocket looks sweet! 

[Nick]

Nice work there Chris. Be nice to see the one the Greeks did get....

[NARSES2]

Nice work there Chris. Be nice to see the one the Greeks did get....

Nah, just overall light grey 

If I can get another it will be a mid war USN bird with bombs and if I got another..... BPF FAA with rockets and bigger engines 

[Logan Hartke]

Those are lovely, NARSES2!  The Skyrocket has always been the sort of aircraft that I feel "should have been".

Cheers,

Logan

[jorel62]

OUTSTANDING!!!!!!! Great job.

[pyro-manic]

Nice one (or even two)! It's crying out for an extended (more streamlined) nose with cannons, isn't it? P-38 or Whirlwind would fit nicely. Plus the nightfighter version, of course...

[Logan Hartke]

It's crying out for an extended (more streamlined) nose with cannons, isn't it? P-38 or Whirlwind would fit nicely. Plus the nightfighter version, of course...

Silence neanderthal!  I always liked the stubby nose one.

Cheers,

Logan

[jcf]

Nice one (or even two)! It's crying out for an extended (more streamlined) nose with cannons, isn't it? P-38 or Whirlwind would fit nicely. Plus the nightfighter version, of course...

Grumman did extend the nose:


... the form was further refined;


... and the design formed the basis for the trike-geared XP-50:

[Weaver]

Those two are great! Nice err....two! 

For further development, how about USAAC/RAF versions with inline engines and extended rear fuselages to restore the CofG ?

[pyro-manic]

It just screams DRAG to me. An XP-50 style nose would be a logical development for later variants, particularly for a radar installation.

[Logan Hartke]

It just screams DRAG to me. An XP-50 style nose would be a logical development for later variants, particularly for a radar installation.

The don't scream drag.  They scream STYLE.



Cheers,

Logan

[pyro-manic]

Clearly we disagree.

[Logan Hartke]

I agree. 

Cheers,

Logan