USAF 40-Foot Flying Disc by Fantastic Plastic

ABOUT THE DESIGN

ABOUT THE KIT

In 1967, former U.S. Navy aviator and aviation writer Jack D. Pickett and his business partner Harold Baker visited MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa Florida to gather information for an Air Force-sponsored article on historical experimental aircraft. At the edge of the base, they were shown four decommissioned X-planes -- all of them flying discs -- measuring 20, 40, 70 and 116 feet in diameter.

Through interviews with various base personnel, Pickett and Baker concluded that, during the 1950s, the USAF had developed several models of jet-powered flying discs for reconnaissance flights over the Soviet Union. The discs had supersonic capabilities and had, on occasion, reached heights that approached the edge of space (50 miles). Many disc flights -- particularly those of the highly successful 40-foot version -- were no doubt responsible for many "Flying Saucer" reports during the period. By the early 1960s, all had been retired in favor of more advanced aircraft.

The proposed article was ultimately cancelled, no doubt for reasons of national security. Years later, the amazing story was published by Michael Schratt, who provided the background material for this model kit.

Released by Fantastic Plastic Models in April 2006, the 40-Foot Flying Disc was the first of our kits to be mastered and cast by Anigrand Craftswork of Hong Kong. It was also the first Fantastic Plastic kit to feature full landing gear, a cockpit interior and a traditional vacuform canopy.

The kit is currently available through the Fantastic Plastic Virtual Museum Store.

Read the Review on Modeling Madness:

http://modelingmadness.com/scotts/korean/fantasticplastic/fp001preview.htm

USAF 40-Foot Flying Disc - Box Art

Original Box Art


	SCALE: 1/72
	INITIAL RELEASE: 2006
	MEDIUM: Resin
	RARITY: (2)
	LENGTH: 6.5"

1900-1930	1940s	1950s	1960s
1970s	1980s	1990s	2000 and Beyond

USAF 40-Foot Flying Disc (1958)