Convair XF-92A "Dart" (1948)

Scale: 1/72
Initial Release: 1955
Medium: Styrene
Kit Rarity: 3

About the Design

Following Germany's defeat in World War II, delta-wing maven Dr. Alexander Lippisch moved to the United States and helped Convair develop America's first delta-wing jet aircraft.  Dubbed the XF-92A, this was a pure research plane designed to test the proper design and operational configurations for a jet-powered tailless aircraft, delta-wings being known to provide greater lift that conventional airfoils. 

The XF-92A "Dart" began testing at Edwards Air Force base in April 1948.  Its first pilot was Chuck Yeager, the man who just one year earlier had broken the sound barrier aboard the Bell X-1.  Testing on the XF-92A continued until 1953, when the aircraft was retired.  Data gathered from these tests led to the development of the F-102 and F-106 fighters as well as the B-58 "Hustler" bomber.

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About the Kit

This 1:72 scale model of the XF-92A "Dart" was first issued by Hawk models c.1955.  It enjoyed two subsequent re-releases with new box art.  Testors purchased the molds in the early 1990s and again re-released the kit in 1995.  In all cases, the kit produced a simple "desk-top" model without landing gear.  Another curious feature: the kit allowed the modeler to build the aircraft with four pylons and air-to-air missiles -- even though this research plane was never designed nor equipped for combat.

This model was built from the Testor's 1995 re-release.