XP-56 Black Bullet Czech Model 1/48 Scale
I started this project 8-1/2 months ago along with an XP-55 Ascender kit. These two planes were part of a trio of planes developed from a proposal R-40C for a new type and style of fighter for the US Army Air Corps. The last of the the was the XP-54 Swoose Goose which at present time there is no readily available kit, but I think is probably the coolest looking of the three.
This kit is from Czech Model, and is truly limited run kit. The plastic is a little soft in detail but decent in its fit. The canopy is vacuum formed and the interior as well as the wheel wells are cast resin. The cast resin was by far the most disappointing part of the kit. The instructions were lacking, the resin was brittle, and the detail on many parts soft with casting blocks that were at times overwhelming. The build went fairly well and all in all it wasn't an unpleasurable build, just not necessarily a fun build either. Also the finish options are pretty basic, OD over Neutral Gray and that is it.
I also got side tracked by my B-24D "The Blue Streak" build and finally set some time aside to finish this one so that it doesn't end up on my shelf of doom...which currently only has two kits on it.
You can see the build of this kit at https://imodeler.com/groups/work-in-progress-aircraft/forum/topic/xp-55-ascender-modelsvit-kit-xp-56-black-bullet-czech-model-kit/ and if you are interested in what side tracked me you can see the build of my B-24D here, https://imodeler.com/groups/bomber-command/forum/topic/b-24d-the-blue-streak-bond-tour-veteran-monogram-1-48th/ .
Thanks for looking and my apologies for the quality of the pictures, they are not as good as I would have hoped.
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- 1. XP-54 Swoose Goose
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- 1. XP-55 Ascender
Very nice result from a not easy kit.
Congratulations Walt! You tackled the challenging Czech Model kit and came up with a wonderful result!
Really nice result, Walt @luftwaffe-birdman
Very nice and smooth paint work.
An excellent result from what I remember as an awful kit. A triumph of talent and stubbornness over plastic.
Modelsvit has the XP-54 on their future releases list. Can't wait!
Thanks Tom, @tcinla, I am anxiously awaiting that release and they are also releasing a new XP-56. I may have to build another one, especially if it is as good as their Ascender was.
Great job, Walt!
It looks like it could be a modern day 1:1 kit plane.
Glad you finished it, Walt, it must be difficult to a photograph a mono tone aircraft like this.
Good-looking build of an unusual subject - well done!
That is one of the neatest build jobs I've seen, silky smooth.
Thanks Bill, @billkoppos, I switched a couple years ago over to MrHobby Lacquer Paint and love how nice is sprays out. I was never able to get this with my Model Masters Enamels. I believe my painting quality went way up when I switched to MrHobby have now also added AK Interactive Lacquer and Tamiya Lacquer. I would put MrHobby and AK Interactive as better than Tamiya. AK Interactive also offers a nice selection of Military colors in their lacquer range.
Nice to see you finished this and it looks mighty good, Walt @luftwaffe-birdman. I enjoyed building this kit and didn't think it was all that awful, crude as they are. I recall loading it up with enough weight to keep it sitting on the nose wheel was a pain and the nose gear very weak and wobbly. I'm also looking forward to the Modelsvit Black Bullet release but hasn't it been a couple of years now and no further word?
Yes Eric, @eb801, it looks like the rumors started back in 2020, but they show that they are due out this year on Scalemates. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
I didn't add enough weight to the front of my Black Bullet, so it sits on its tail. I am making a little clear stand to hold the tail up. The landing gear are very week with poor fastening points for the main gear that make the plane jiggle like a bowl of jello.
Amen on that gear jiggle. I managed to get mine to stand still on the nose wheel but if I tap the plane, it will sit on its tail, Walt @Luftwaffe-birdman
I checked the Modelsvit site and there is no word or listing of the Black Bullet. I also noticed that Scalemates mention. Two years ago Modelsvit posted a photo of the real thing and mentioned it as a future release but that's gone.
Looks like you won that battle - nice job!
Beautiful in its simplicity.
Nice work on both!
Very cool build, Walt. The design is interesting enough to make the effort to build worthwhile. The down-turned wingtips are really bat-like. I like the subtly weathered finish you achieved, which adds interest to the all OD upper surfaces. Nice little cockpit too.
looks great!