Saunders-Roe SRA/1 (1947)

Scale: 1/72
Initial Release: 1995
Medium: Resin
Kit Rarity: 3

About the Design

In 1943, jet engine technology was just starting to come into its own.  At the same time, the war in the Pacific was at its height.  Planes were desperately needed to fight the Japanese, but there weren't enough carriers to accommodate them even if more were produced.

Britain's Saunders-Roe believed the solution was to produce jet-powered flying boat fighters, planes that could operate at high speeds and land in water without benefit of aircraft carriers.  However, it wasn't until 1947 -- two years after the War ended -- that the first SRA/1 flying boat actually flew.  Powered by twin jet engines, the plane reportedly handled extremely well.  However, two of the three prototypes were ultimately lost in crashes; the third was retired in 1951...by which time enough carriers had been build to render the jet-powered flying boat concept obsolete.

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About the Kit

Although this was one of Planet Models' first releases, this kit was still of very high quality.  The only obvious deficiently was the lack of a "grid" for the main jet intake.  Decals were provided for all three prototypes.

This kit was built from an original issue.