Miles Dart F.1

[Devilfish]

After the defeat of Japan, the Allies went in, as they did in Germany, to see what technology they could find. Two prototypes of an advanced new fighter , the Kyushu J7W Shinden (Magnificent Lightning) were found. One was shipped to the USA, where it was promptly ignored and sits in pieces in a museum to this day.

The other was supposedly destroyed, yet in reality it was shipped to the UK, where it was tested. Once testing was complete, the report claimed it to be an excellent and agile fighter, but because it was still piston engine powered, it was of no interest.

The Miles aircraft company, asked if they could have the soon to be scrapped airframe for "testing".   They developed it to accept the RR Derwent engine. As it no longer had the huge rear prop, the long spindly undercarriage was seen as irrelevant.  It was modified and shortened.  This meant the lower tail fins would also need to be removed, and stability was restored with a third fin mounted on the fuselage.

The Air Ministry were impressed with the new aircraft's speed and agility, even if it's range wasn't ideal. Two squadrons were equipped with the aircraft, now called the Dart, and based on the new frontline in Germany.

 

Kit is the Hasegawa 1/48 Shinden

 

20191120_212605 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20191120_212612 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20191120_212619 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20191120_212626 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

20191120_212636 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

[Gorby]

That's a very interesting and entirely believable idea, and well executed.

[Wulfman]

I like it, lovely build and great concept.

 

Wulfman

[HOUSTON]

great concept indeed.

very well executed.

 

[Romeo Alpha Yankee]

Nice build Paul, lovely finish