Concept Aircraft

Lippisch Aerodyne (1955)

Lippisch Aerodyne - Unicraft - 1

SCALE: 1/72

INITIAL RELEASE: 2001

MEDIUM: Resin

RARITY: (3)

 

Lippisch Aerodyne - Unicraft - 2

 

Lippisch Aerodyne - Unicraft - 3

Lippisch Aerodyne - Unicraft - 4

 

Lippisch Aerodyne - Unicraft - 5

 

ABOUT THE DESIGN

ABOUT THE KIT

During the mid-1950s, German aeronautics genius Dr. Alexander Lippisch -- now working for the victorious Americans -- developed plans for a revolutionary propeller-powered VTOL aircraft.  His "aerodyne" used two piston-mounted propellers to draw air into the massive cylindrical fuselage; vents on the rear ventral surface deflected the accelerated airflow downward to create vertical lift while smaller portions of compressed air were used to drive the vehicle horizontally.

Although the Aerodyne was never built, a pilotless jet-powered model was successfully flown by Germany's Dornier company in 1974, proving Lippisch's theories.  Many of Lippisch's concepts were also integrated into the highly successful Hawker Harrier VTOL jet fighter.

This all-resin kit came with decals for three variations: Modern German Air Force, U.S. Army and U.S. Navy.  Although winglets and ordnance were shown on the box art, no such add-ons were actually provided with the kit.  Instead, modelers were asked to provide their own.  In this case, the Aerodyne is shown with winglets and ordnance from a 1/72 Huey Cobra gunship model by Italeri.

This model was built from one of the last kits produced from Unicraft's original 2001 mold.

 

Lippisch Aerodyne - Unicraft - Box Art

Original Box Art

 

Concept Aircraft

1900-1930

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000 and Beyond

Home   X-Planes   Concept Aircraft   Spacecraft & Missiles   Concept Spacecraft   Science Fiction   Grab Bag

 Space   Concept Spacecraft   Pop Culture   Grab Bag