Schoenfeldt Firecracker replica

[72modeler]

This subject is not exactly in my wheelhouse as a modeler, but I have always been a fan of the racing planes of the 30's-40's as well as a fan of  famed test pilot Tony LeVier. Tony flew the original Schoenfeldt Firecracker, and after reading about how the replica performs, I have even more admiration of his flying skills. I thought some of you might find the story interesting, and it would make a great modeling project, as I vaguely recall there being a resin kit of the airplane. Knowing our resident vintage racing airplane modeler/historian @Moa has either built one and/or has a folder on it, I'm sure the linked article might be yesterday's news, but I offer it nonetheless.

Mike

 

http://roadrunnersinternationale.com/firecracker.html

 

Excellent site with photos and text on the 1938 National Air Race, in which the Firecracker competed...those were the days, and those were steeely-eyed men and women who flew them!

http://www.airrace.com/1938NAR.htm

 

 

[fjaweijfopi4j48]

4 hours ago, 72modeler said:

This subject is not exactly in my wheelhouse as a modeler, but I have always been a fan of the racing planes of the 30's-40's as well as a fan of  famed test pilot Tony LeVier. Tony flew the original Schoenfeldt Firecracker, and after reading about how the replica performs, I have even more admiration of his flying skills. I thought some of you might find the story interesting, and it would make a great modeling project, as I vaguely recall there being a resin kit of the airplane. Knowing our resident vintage racing airplane modeler/historian @Moa has either built one and/or has a folder on it, I'm sure the linked article might be yesterday's news, but I offer it nonetheless.

Mike

 

http://roadrunnersinternationale.com/firecracker.html

 

Excellent site with photos and text on the 1938 National Air Race, in which the Firecracker competed...those were the days, and those were steeely-eyed men and women who flew them!

http://www.airrace.com/1938NAR.htm

 

 

 

Excellent links, I was familiar only with the second.

May I confess to one thing: I am not an historian, just an enthusiastic aficionado with very limited (if hopefully expanding) knowledge.

I do have a Keith Rider R-4 Firecracker folder, but no model of it, even if I have built may be 40 or 50 racers, most posted here at BM.

Thinking about why I didn't build a Firecracker, the answer may be that it is a bit conventional in looks, and I am usually drawn to more bizarre choices. Here is a simple one, a very basic build from 10 years ago, but still I think with some flavor:

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235052914-hosler-fury-racer-scratchbuilt-172/

 

P/S: There is a 1/32nd Williams Bros. Firecracker kit, and an also an LF 1/72nd resin one (not a bargain, I am afraid), which is the one you were probably thinking of.

 

Cheers

[Dave Swindell]

7 hours ago, 72modeler said:

as I vaguely recall there being a resin kit of the airplane.

Williams Brothers did a 1:32 injection kit, and LF Models did the resin 1:72 kit