Group Build Description: Any scales, any timeframe, any country - so long as it was an experimental, research, or prototype aircraft. An actual airframe must have been under construction at some point (even if it was never finished or flown). No “paper airplanes.” Other than that, push the envelope!
Examples of acceptable subjects:
Spitfire K5054 (prototype Spitfire)
NA-73X (prototype Mustang)
Bell X-1 (experimental aircraft)
Northrop M2-F3 (research aircraft)
Hawker P1121 (prototype partially constructed)
Lockheed’s “Hopeless Diamond” (never flew, but was actually built and arguably fits all three categories)
Some of you will probably want to test the limits and ask if something like an SR-71 in NASA colors counts. Sure, why not. Who can say “no” to a Blackbird.
We’ll start on October 14, 2026, the 79th anniversary of Chuck Yeager’s sound barrier breaking flight in the Bell X-1.
Event Details: Remember to click “Going” if you want to join the build!
Experimental, research, and prototype aircraft - any scale, any timeframe, any country.
Completion Award: An award design will come later - open to volunteers with the skills and software to do it!
A Note about Awards: In order to receive a badge on your forum profile, you will need to provide your account username to me by the completion date of the build. I will then provide this list to the site admin who will bulk award the badges to those users who have finished the group build.
Got a Hawker P.1127, Saunders-Roe SR.53 and the Prone Position Meteor. Used to test the effects of G-forces on a pilots body flying while lying on his front.
All flew even if only once although the flying flapjack kit is of a what may have been if it had entered service as apposed to the prototype markings. Is that allowed?
Although I have got my eye on another aircraft, Italian this time!
The prone Meteor used to be at RAF Cosford, which is my local museum (well, about an hour down the motorway). It’s also the only X-plane I’ve ever been in. When I was very little my dad lifted me into the prone cockpit when they used to display it open. That is making want to do this one.
I’m not sure where it currently is, the new museum management ‘disposed’ of it to another museum. They also got rid of the ultra rare Comet to a museum in Wales, that resulted in permanent and irreparable damage to the aircraft during the move.
Well, I found the Delta this evening. Looks like a really lovely little kit. Light years ahead of the ancient Eastern Express rebox of the Frog Delta I tried a couple of years ago. Ranks among the worst kits I’ve ever bought.
It’s very nicely moulded. Really should look into their other kits.
That What-If SR-53 I’m working on in the the SF Campaign, does have me thinking about the possibilities of the same thing with the Delta. Would look good with a pair of Redtop missiles under the wings. But, that’s thoughts for something else and not here.
Sure, why not. Who can say “no” to a Blackbird.
