Curtiss Wright VZ-7 VTOL Aerial Platform (1958)
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Scale: 1/72
Initial Release: 2004 Medium: Resin Kit Rarity: 3 |
About the Design
In the 1950s, the U.S. Army developed several prototype "flying jeeps" to carry small amounts of men and machinery over rough terrain. In 1957, the Army contracted with Curtiss-Wright to develop one such machine; the result was this one-man "aerial platform" that achieved lift via four horizontally mounted propellers. Curtiss-Wright delivered two VZ-7 prototypes in 1958 and, while the machines proved to be very easy to handle and maneuver, neither was able to meet the altitude and speed requirements called for in the Army's contract. The VZ-7 program was cancelled in the mid-1960s when it became abundantly clear that the job for which "flying jeeps" were intended could be performed more easily and efficiently by conventional helicopters like the Huey HU-1D.
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About the Kit
Anigrand Craftswork of Hong Kong specializes high-quality models of exotic, off-beat subjects, and this spindly little 1950s-era experimental is no exception. In 1/72 scale, this model is a mere 3.25 inches long, yet the casting of the pieces is superb. Flash is minimal and the detail, for its size, is excellent.
This model was built from an original issue. |