jeaton01 Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 This was a candidate for a mission that never materialized, built in small numbers by Bell Aircraft before the P-39. The designation was FM for fighter multiplace, but like the Me-110 and others it was too heavy and not maneuverable enough to be useful as a fighter. The Valom kit is not the best for fit, the best part is oddly the clear parts. The basic plastic has finely done surface detail but is soft and uneven in thickness. Glad to have a a YFM-1B in my display case, but I could have spent a couple months instead of a couple of weeks building it. It is one of those kits that you probably should build two of, one to learn how and the second to get the best result. The exhaust was corrected, the kit had identical piping on both sides but it should have had just collectors on the inside with a crossover inside the cowl and an outlet only on the outside. The collectors should be tapered, not constant diameter from front to back. Lots of melted sprue and various fillers were sacrificed to this one. I just noticed I forgot the pitot tubes on each wing tip. I'll fix it with music wire. The Airfix 1/72 Mustang was finished along side it, a nice little kit though the landing gear needed straightening and careful attaching. 23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobo Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 Wow that looks really good. I've always loved this airplane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsbody Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 A nice pair! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 A really nice build and a very distinctive model. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roginoz Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 That's an obscurity that's totally new to me, and will have to go on the "wants" list. A nice build, John, and an equally impressive "Flying Dutchman". Rog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Learstang Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 Very nice! The Mustang is nice also. The multi-place multi-role 'cruiser' was a very 1930's idea. Nice to hear the clear parts are good - I have one in the stash, along with the tricycle-landing gear version. Regards, Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyW Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 (edited) It wouldn't look out of place in an episode of Flash Gordon! That period was full of really inventive ideas and impressive leaps forward, along with the inevitable dead ends, and your build shows part of that time to perfection. It looks splendid. Edited April 3, 2020 by TonyW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryu Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 Wonderful model of a bizarre concept. The gondola crew were supposed to man-handle 37 mm cannons which were installed in only a few test beds. Gross weight was a meagre 19,000 lbs - who was smart enough to suggest that this would be a successful fighter configuration...? 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jb65rams Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 Great build. Having built one I can appreciate the amount of work required to get a good result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickydicky210 Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 Nice build, thanks Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wulfman Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 Great job on the Bell, nice Mustang too! Wulfman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 What a nice model! I have the tricycle gear variant, and it is a very poor-fitting kit, which unlike you, I have not been brave enough to start, so you should be proud of what you have done with yours. Well done and a very nice finish. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted April 3, 2020 Share Posted April 3, 2020 That's excellent work, I don't think I've ever seen one before Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeaton01 Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 Well, I am very slow to say thank you for all the kind comments. Thank you all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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