Yurjev KIT-1 Soviet VTOL Fighter Concept (1946)

Scale: 1/72
Initial Release: 1998
Kit Rarity: 2

About the Design

Like the Germans before them (and the Americans soon thereafter), the post-War Soviets saw a need for a point-defense fighter that could operate without vulnerable airstrips. In 1946, leading Russian helicopter theoretician Professor B.N. Yurjev developed this design for a small delta-winged tail-sitter. Its single Kilmov VK-108 motor, situated aft of the cockpit, was to power both a small forward propeller (used for horizontal flight) and a larger aft propeller that would function during take-offs and landings, and then serve as a canard-like surface during in-flight operations.

The so-called "KIT-1" never got passed the design stage.  However, Yurjev was obviously on the right track as his design bears numerous similarities to the U.S.'s XFY-1 "Pogo" and XFV-1 "Salmon" developed a decade later.

About the Kit

This unique 1/72 resin-and-vacuform kit was a first-generation Unicraft model, entering the company's catalogue in 1998. Decals were not provided.

This model was built from an original issue.