Bell XFL-1 Airabonita

[otftch]

This is the navalized version of the Bell P-39 Airacobra, tested by the US Navy in the early forties. The kit is from R/S Models in 1/72 scale. The panel lines are recessed and very fine,(the door outlines are there but not evident in the photos) quite a nice little kit.
Ed

 

[fubar57]

I like it Ed.

Geo

 

[Wurger]

Nicely done Ed.

 

[kruaxi]

Wow ! Love it

 

[Gnomey]

Nice work Ed!

 

[Airframes]

Another good one Ed, and one I didn't know about (which is unusual for me!).
You certainly have a great collection of varied and 'out of the ordinary' models - great stuff !

 

[Matt308]

Your sure do, otftch. When I was a kid I used so salivate over the one of a kind models and man you sure acquired them and more! Wish I could hang out for a few hours and scoot a chair around admiring your collection so that I could properly peruse your work.

 

[Crimea_River]

 

[Capt. Vick]

Sweet Ed!

 

[rochie]

i like it Ed, was thinking what is different about it, then Doh........ no nose wheel !!!!!!!

 

[otftch]

i like it Ed, was thinking what is different about it, then Doh........ no nose wheel !!!!!!!

Here ia a photo of the undersides. The landing gear has been moved to the leading edge of the wing and there are two under-wing radiators where the gear used to be. If you look at the origional photos you will see the airscoop behind the canopy is much smaller. I never understood why the Navy even tried this design as they were so set against in-line engines. I do know the P-39 was pretty hot before they removed the turbo-chargers.

And for Matt308 and Airframes, I'm finishing up a Cornelious XFG-1 Fuel glider that's really wierd !

Thanks for all of your comments

Ed

 

[meatloaf109]

I like the unusual also. Fine work on one of the strangest!

 

[rochie]

wow not just as easy as moving the nose wheel back then !

 

[T Bolt]

very cool Ed. I like the unusual ones too. There was also something different about the canopy of the Airacobra too.

 

[juergen.klueser]

I like such seldom ones

 

[Wayne Little]

Well done Ed...... a new one for me too!

 

[treyzx10r]

Sharp build Ed ! Never knew there was a tail dragger version of this airframe!

 

[vikingBerserker]

Very cool!

 

[Capt. Vick]

Ed, this is their plastic kit right? (Not their earlier resin one.)

 

[otftch]

Yes.Plastic, limited production. Nice kit.
Ed