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Ryan XF2R-1 'Dark Shark'

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  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, November 10, 2011 8:36 AM

SR: Thanks! I know several companies back in the late '40s got stuck on the whole prop/jet combo concept but I don't know how many in all. I wasn't aware of the Curtiss Wright version- very cool plane.

Thanks for the web link and those are some great from Quonset!

Now wonder if anyone does a kit of this aircraft? Hmm

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Guam
Posted by sub revolution on Thursday, November 10, 2011 3:47 AM

Ok, my mistake. The one at Quonset is a Curtiss Wright XF-15 C-1. Different plane but very similar (ya know, a prop plane with a jet engine shoved in its butt. Seems mighty appropriate for the Navy!)

Here's a website with specs and some good pics:

http://www.williammaloney.com/Aviation/QuonsetAirMuseum/CurtissWrightXF15C/index.htm

And here is my photobucket album from Quonset:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nukesmoothie/sets/72157623489548486/

NEW SIG

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 2:47 PM

Thanks guys!

Now that I look at her though I'm wondering why didn't cut the front of the canopy off a little closer? It slides in the back so there should be a overlapping lip but the front should fit flush with the fusilage.

Why don't I think of these things when I'm building the kit? Confused

 

Oh well, she went together pretty easy for a limited run kit, still I'm in the mood for a shake-and-bake kit now Whistling

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 1:39 PM

Wow, that is not a handsome aircraft!

You made it look good though!

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Washington, DC
Posted by TomZ2 on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 10:57 AM

A rared bird.

Occasional factual, grammatical, or spelling variations are inherent to this thesis and should not be considered as defects, as they enhance the individuality and character of this document.

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: italy
Posted by bsyamato on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 10:42 AM

excellent rare bird gamera Bow Down i like this one

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 7:52 AM

sub revolution

I need to check my old photos. There is a plane that is either this one or one much like it at the Quonset Air Museum in Rhode Island. I think they said it is the only one in the world.

If you can find out more I'd love to hear about it. My books told me only one 'Dark Shark' was built and scrapped in 1947. Sixty-six of the earlier FR-1 'Fireball' were built and apparently one survives on display in the Planes of Fame museum in Chino, California.

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2009
  • From: Guam
Posted by sub revolution on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 3:09 AM

I need to check my old photos. There is a plane that is either this one or one much like it at the Quonset Air Museum in Rhode Island. I think they said it is the only one in the world.

NEW SIG

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 12:21 AM

Hey thanks Noah! Personally I think she looks like a Bearcat with a jet engine shoved up her tush.....

Either that or a mutant crossing of an eggbeater with a blowtorch... Hmm

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: Panhandle Fl
Posted by Noah T on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 9:37 PM

A very well executed build. Slicing the decals always makes me nervous good work with them on he doors. Kinda makes me think of a Bearcat and a Kingcobra getting it on...

Cool to see the lesser known stuff getting attention too.

 

On the bench: 72nd scale P51D, P47D Razorback

---Everything Is What It Is, And Not Another Thing.---

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Ryan XF2R-1 'Dark Shark'
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 7:26 PM

Second kit I've finished recently - this is Czech Model's limited run kit of the Ryan XF2R-1 'Dark Shark' I built for Callsign Owl's Odd Animal Group Build.

After the development of jet engines the USN looked into the concept of  a jet propelled carrier based fighter. Due to the slow throttling up of early jets Ryan engineers decided to pair a gas-turbine engine driving a four-bladed prop to the front of the aircraft and a turbojet in the rear. The first version, the FR-1 'Fireball', had disappointing performance so Ryan mounted a more powerful turboprop to the front and a more stream-lined fuselage to create the 'Dark Shark' . Performance still wasn't what the Navy wanted and with more advanced jet aircraft such as the Grumman F9F 'Panther' only one 'Dark Shark' was built and was scrapped in 1947.

This aircraft came with decals of a hypothetical operational fighter assigned to VF-41 'Firebirds'.

 

 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

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