Mansyu Ki-98 (A+V Models, Resin)

TYPE: Ground attack aircraft, fighter-bomber. Project

ACCOMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: One Mitsubishi Ha-211 Ru radial engine, rated at 2,200 hp

PERFORMANCE: 454 mph at 32.810 ft

COMMENT: In 1943 Mansyu offered the Japan Army Air Force a project of a single-seat ground attack aircraft designated Ki-98. The design was of twin boom configuration and was powered by a 2,200 hp turbosupercharged Mitsubishi Ha 211 Ru radial engine mounted in the central nacelle behind the pilot’s seat and driving a four-blade pusher propeller. Nose-mounted armament consisted of one 37 mm and two 20 mm cannon. A prototype was still under construction when Japan surrendered in September 1945 (Ref: 1)

Martin-Baker M.B.3 (Airmodel, Resin)

TYPE: Interceptor, fighter

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: One Napier Sabre II liquid-cooled engine, rated at 2,020 hp

PERFORMANCE: 415 mph at 20,000 ft

COMMENT: In early 1942 the British Air Ministry issued specification F.18/39 that called for a single-seat fighter with a maximum speed of not less than 400mph at 15,000 ft, a service ceiling of not less than 35,000 ft, a fuel capacity sufficient for thirty minutes at maximum power, two hours at economical cruising speed plus thirty percent reserves, and a loaded weight not exceeding 12,000lb. To meet these requirements, the Martin-Baker Aircraft Company designed an aircraft, M.B.3, with remarkably strong structure, a phenomenally heavy armament, and good handling qualities. Two prototypes of the M.B.3 were ordered and the first of these was flown on August 1942. Trials indicated that the prototype was extremely maneuverable and processed excellent handling characteristics. On September 1942, during landing approach, the Sabre engines failed and the aircraft was completely destroyed. Construction of the second prototype, powered by a Rolls-Royce Griffon engine and the designation M.B.4 was abandoned in favor of an extensively redesigned model, the Martin-Baker M.B.5 (Ref.: 12)

Messerschmitt Me 109 TL (Planet, Resin)

TYPE: Turbojet powered fighter. Project.

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: Two Junkers Jumo 004B turbojet engines, rated at 900 kp each

PERFORMANCE: No data available

COMMENT: In early 1943 during a conference led by the RLM it was proposed to reconstruct a Messerschmitt Bf 109 into a jet powered fighter. Because the airframe of the Bf 109 was not suited for such a modification it was decided to use the fuselage of a Messerschmitt Me 109H high-altitude fighter, the undercarriage of the Messerschmitt Me 309, and the wing of the projected Messerschmitt Me 409. Nevertheless, soon it became clear that too many parts had to be changed so after two month the project was cancelled (Ref.: 19).

Grumman F6F-5 “Hellcat”, VF-12, CV-15 “Randolph”, (Hasegawa)

TYPE: Carrier-based fighter, fighter bomber

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: One Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W Double Wasp radial engine, rated at 2,000 hp

PERFORMANCE: 380 mph at 23,400 ft

COMMENT: In Mid 1944 an improved and refined version of the famous Grumman F6F-3, the Grumman F6F-5 “Hellcat” rolled out of a brand new factory, especially built for this reason. The Pratt & Whitney engine with water injection was retained, but the cowling was modified and the windshield was improved. Provision was made for 2,000 lb of bombs under the center section and six rockets under the outer wing. Production of this version totalled 6,681 aircraft plus 1,189 F6F-5N’s night fighter with APS-6 radar in the pod of the starboard wing. The aircraft shown here was on board of USS CV-15 “Randolph” in March 1945 (Ref.: 22)

Kogiken Plan III Revised Light Bomber (Unicraft, Resin)

TYPE: Light bomber. Project

ACCOMMODATION: Crew of two

POWER PLANT: Two radial engines, type not available

PERFORMANCE: No data available

COMMENT: Poorly documented JAAF-project of a light bomber with twin fuselage, two radial engines and pilot and gunner/radio-operator seated in the left fuselage. Similar designs during World War II were in Germany Arado E,580 (project), Messerschmitt Me 109Z (flown, Z for Zwilling = twin),  Messerschmitt Me 609 (project), Dornier Do 635 (Junkers Ju 8-635) (project),and Heinkel He 111Z (flown), and in the United States North American P-82 (flown).

Martin-Baker 12 Gun Fighter (Unicraft, Resin)

TYPE: Long-range escort fighter. Project

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: Two Rolls-Royce Merlin III engines, rated at 1,030 hp each

PERFORMANCE: No data available

COMMENT: Prior to WWII, the major world powers knew they needed long-range fighters to escort their bombers deep into enemy territory. To this end, the British aircraft company Martin Baker submitted an innovative design for a tailless, twin-engine fighter armed with 12 heavy machine guns. Its rudder gone to help reduce drag, the plane would use the trailing ends of its engine nacelles for lateral control supplemented with ducted engine exhaust gases as well as propeller induced air stream. Although seriously evaluated by the RAF, the Martin Baker 12 Gun Fighter never made it past the design stage.

Blohm & Voss Bv P.203.01 (Unicraft, Resin)

TYPE: Long-range fighter, fighter-bomber. Project

ACCOMMODATION: Crew of two

POWER PLANT: Two BMW 801D radial engines, rated at 1,750 hp each and two Junkers Jumo 003 turbo-jet engines, rated at 880 kp each

PERFORMANCE: 571 mph

COMMENT: This Blohm & Voss project from 1944 was designed as a general purpose/long-range fighter. The wing was straight and unswept, with the section between the two engine nacelles being thicker and having increased chord, to house the main wheels of the tricycle landing gear. Two BMW 801D radial engines were mounted at the forward end of the nacelles, and two Junkers Jumo 004 turbo-jet engines were located in the rear of the nacelles. Provision was made for use of other turbo-jet engines, e.g. BMW 003 (Bv P. 203.2) and Heinkel-Hirth HeS 011 (Bv P. 203.03) The aircraft was heavily armed including a remotely controlled twin MG 131 13mm machine guns in the tail firing to the rear. Due to the “Jägernotprogramm” (Fighter-emergency-programme) all work was cancelled (Ref: 23)

 

Curtiss XP-87 “Blackhawk” (Anigrand, Resin)

TYPE: All-weather, high-altitude fighter

ACCOMODATION: Pilot and radar-operator

POWER PLANT: Four Westinghouse J34-WE-7 turbojet engines, rated at 1,360 kp. thrust each

PERFORMANCE: 520 mph at 30,000 ft

COMMENT: The XF-87 was the last aircraft built by Curtiss Aircraft. The specification originally called for a twin-engine, single-seat fighter, which evolved into an attack aircraft (XA-43) and finally to a quad-jet, twin-place, all-weather, high-altitude fighter. Two prototype XF-87s were built, the second of which was modified to the sole XF-87A. The XF-87 was designed for an innovative nose turret capable of swiveling in a wide arc around the axis of flight; however, the turret was never actually installed on the XF-87. The very large fighter was severely underpowered by four J34 turbojets and was redesigned for two J47 turbojets (XF-87A). A production order for 58 XF-87As and 30 RF-87s was canceled before any aircraft were constructed (Ref.: 23).

Mitsubishi J4M-1 Senden (Flashing Lightning, Luke), Unicraft, Resin

TYPE: High performance interceptor fighter. Project

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: One Mitsubishi Ha-43 radial engine, rated at 1,650 hp at 26,247 ft, driving 6-bladed metal constant speed pusher propeller

PERFORMANCE: 470 mph at 26,247 ft

COMMENT: To provide the Imperial Japanese Navy with a land-based high-performance interceptor aircraft, Mitsubishi designed the J4M Senden (“Flashing Lighting”) or Navy Experimental 17-Shi Otsu B Type Interceptor Fighter Senden. It was to have been a single-seat, twin-boom, low-wing monoplane with a central nacelle housing an unstepped cockpit and a 2,130-hp Mitsubishi MK9D (Ha-43) radial engine behind the pilot driving a six-bladed pusher propeller rotating between the booms. The booms were to extend aft from the leading edge of the wing and were mounted below the central nacelle. The aircraft was to have had tricycle landing gear and an armament of one 30-mm and two 20-mm cannon. Design of the initial J4M1 version ended when the Navy put its support behind the competing Kyushu J7W fighter. So the J4M project did not proceed beyond the design stage. The Allies nonetheless assigned the J4M the reporting name “Luke” during World War II.(Ref.: 23)

Blackburn B.44 (Unicraft, Resin)

TYPE: Flying-boat fighter and fighter bomber. Project

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: One Napier Sabre II, rated at 2.020 hp, driving two three-bladed contra-rotating propellers

PERFORMANCE: 360 mph

COMMENT: After Japan’s initial successes in the Pacific Area of Action, the need for a fighter aircraft capable of operating from austere island sites, with minimal infrastructure, was regarded as a high priority. So the British Air Ministry’s Specification N2./42 called for a retractable hull flying-boat fighter. The Blackburn Aircraft Company designed a water based fighter that utilized as much as possible of the structure of the Blackburn Firebrand torpedo striker fighter, just beginning flight tests at that time. A novelty was the retractable hull. The fuselage of the aircraft was to be split in two with the lower float-like half extending and retracting hydraulically. This resulted in an excellent streamline form with the main hull, and simultaneously provided adequate clearance between airscrews and water. The B.44 was well suited for the Pacific war. However, the project was cancelled because British Naval policy was only to use aircraft carriers with wheeled fighters (Ref.: 23 ).