TR-3B "Flying Triangle" Concept (1994)

Scale: 1/72
Initial Release: 2004
Medium: Resin
Kit Rarity: 2

About the Design

The triangular TR-3B was purportedly developed under the auspices of the top-secret National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) under the Air Force's super-duper Top Secret Aurora Program. Code named "Astra," the TR-3B -- incorporating captured "alien" technology -- is said to use highly pressured mercury accelerated by nuclear energy to produce a plasma that creates a field of "anti-gravity" around the ship.  Conventional thrusters located at the tips of the craft allow it to perform all manner of rapid high speed maneuvers along all three axes.

Reports are that at least three TR-3Bs began operating out of Groom Lake (Area 51) in 1994 and have since been spotted all over the world. A centerpiece of modern UFO lore, the TR-3B was frequently seen (albeit it briefly and obscurely) in several episodes of Fox-TV's "The X-Files" TV series of the 1990s.

About the Kit

This all-resin 1/72-scale model of the elusive TR-3B was released by Light Force Models in mid-2004. The model consists of two large "shell" pieces (upper and lower) molded in thick resin, and three finely molded rein landing gear pieces.  The bagged kit also comes with decals.  (The crystalline blue "lights" were added by this modeler.)

Most descriptions of the "actual" TR-3B have it painted in solid black.  However, this recommended black-on-white color scheme allows the modeler to show off far more detail.

The TR-3B was re-released around 2009 by Atlantis Models as the TR-3E.

This model was built from an original issue.