Curtiss XF14C-2 (PK103 conv)
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Phil MarcheseThe Curtiss XF14C-2 for USN. Followed by the boom-tailed XFR15C in two tail configurations. Post-war, failed to go beyond the XP-87 All weather interceptor, ending the era of an airplane designer.
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1:72 scale Matchbox Beaufighter conversion. Air Defense procedures required the identification of prototypes. Indentification Yellow for this purpose was in use as examplified by several contractors. North American Aviation, Northrop, Grumman, and Republic prototypes all exhibit the yellow marking. These were often limited to cowls or spinners after the advent of natural metal finishes.
Note the swan diving beauty has both arms out and appears head forward in mirror images on each side of cowl. The 35" wing insignia is between the airelon cutout (as prescribed) and the mainspar ( behind gearbay ). The smaller fuselage star is 30" type 3.
Handholds lead from wing fairing to cockpit. The wing itself is set off by a no step red stripe. The rear vision panels are basically flat and lightly supported. The whole rear section meets the upper deck in a reverse curve. The center section is framed however it has a blown hood.
The wheel wells extend inward and the gear doors and wheel doors are separately l
