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Hi mates, I started this model for the Prototypes, Experimental, World's First & Record Breakers Group Build, but life got in the way and I wasn't able to finish it in time. Eventually, it came together and here it is! The Curtiss-Wright XF15C-1 mixed-propulsion fighter was developed for the United States Navy at the end of WWII, first flying in February of 1945. Only three prototypes were built, as the US Navy moved their focus to pure jet propulsion. Only one of the prototypes survived. Similar to the Ryan FR Fireball, which entered service on a limited basis, the XF15C-1 had both a Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine/Curtiss Electric propeller up front and an Allis-Chalmers J36 turbojet (license built de Havilland Goblin) under the tail. The mixed propulsion concept was devised to counter the slow acceleration of the early jets, a characteristic that limited their appeal for carrier use. Including the radial engine allowed for safe carrier launch and recovery, and the turbojet in the tail would contribute to higher cruise speed. Or so the theory went. The need for further development of the mixed propulsion concept for carrier fighters was negated by improvements in jet power, and the Curtiss-Wright XF15C was never ordered into production. It was the last Curtiss aircraft to be built for the US Navy, and the penultimate design for Curtiss itself. This kit, from Olimp and their Pro Resin brand, represents the T-tail design as incorporated into the second and third prototypes after the crash of the first, which had a more conventional tail. The casting of the resin parts is very nicely done, with lots of detail and no real fit problems. This was my first Pro Resin kit, and I wouldn't hesitate to build another. The only issue I had were the stickers, which refused to lay down without silvering no matter what I did. The spares box is meant for these occurrences. Project: Curtiss Wright XF15C-1 Kit: Pro Resin (Olimp) Kit No. R72-008 Scale: 1:72 (if you're not building in this scale, you've got a lot of 'splaining to do) Decals: Kit decals were unusable, all markings from the Island of Misfit Stickers Resin: Hey, the whole thing is resin! No need to buy any aftermarket... Photoetch: Supplied with the kit and included instrument panel, seat belts, landing gear torque links, cooling flaps, etc. The usual stuff. Paint: Testors Model Master Dark Sea Blue FS15042; Gunze Flat Black, Flat White, Interior Green, Tire Black; Tamiya XF-69 NATO Black; Alclad Aluminum, Magnesium, Steel; Floquil Flat Weathering: None. I'm starting to like my models clean and without tar in the panel lines. Besides, when the second prototype XF15C had these markings, it hadn't flown very much. Improvements/Corrections Scratch built the inner main landing gear door retraction mechanism All the splendid (?) details of the build (and a lot of off-topic stuff) can be found here (Part 1) and here (Part 2). Enjoy the pictures! All right, that's enough of that. On to the next project! Cheers, Bill

RVHP is to release 1/72nd Curtiss XF-15C Stingaree resin kits. Source:http://rvhpmodels.cz/pages/72k.html - ref. 72112 - Curtiss XF-15C Stingaree early tail Source: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/1106268-rvhp-72112-curtiss-xf-15c-stingaree - ref. 72113 - Curtiss XF-15C Stingaree late tail Source: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/191201-rvhp-72113-curtiss-xf15c-1-stingaree V.P.