Lippisch Aerodyne  VTOL Fighter Concept (1955)

Scale: 1/72
Initial Release: 2001
Medium: Resin
Kit Rarity: 3

About the Design

After the Second World War, 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.

About the Kit

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.