Hi there

I was off sick from work today with a touch of flu, but things brightened up considerably when the postman delivered Czech Model's brand new Ryan FR-1 Fireball!





As you can see, I wasted no time doing a test-fit and the first impressions of the kit are really positive; all the major parts join up very nicely indeed.

Now this one's on the workbench, I reckon I'm goin to have to build it... Chuck will strangle me if I don't!

My thanks to MMD-Squadron for very kindly supplying the review sample.

All the best

Rowan

Let's just see if you can build your's before they get the real one back in the air. :-) :-)

Hi Chuck

LOL! With my reputation, I wouldn't bet on it!

All the best

Rowan

Not much into the wingy thingys, but thats a pretty small cockpit isnt it? And could you explain how the props. and jet engine work together?
-Shain

Before my present job, I use to get the old "I'm sick today when ever a new kit arrived" also......
:-) :-) :-) :-)
If this turns out to be a decent kit, I can trash my old wings Vacuform that's been getting worked on and off for 5 years..... (Usually off) ..... :-) :-) :-)
Keep us up to date on this one Merlin.

Mech-Maniac - A partial answer to your question :

"It could be operated on either its jet engine alone or on the conventional power plant only, but for peak performance the two power sources were used together. Flying on the jet engine alone, the Ryan Fireball had a speed of more than 300 m.p.h., on the conventional engine alone, 320 m.p.h. Speed with both engines. operating together at peak power was a Navy secret. Because its conventional engine was most efficient for take-off and at lower altitudes, and the jet engine most efficient at higher levels and speeds, performance of the Fireball on both engines was extremely high at all altitudes. It was very maneuverable, and had a very high sustained rate of climb. As a result, the pilot of the FR-I was able to maintain combat advantage at all times."

More to read on the subject at:
http://history.sandiego.edu/gen/projects/fireball/yearbook.html

You should be off sick more often :-)

Don't forget, there are 24 hours in a day

Does look quite nice, I hope you find the time to finish it, sooner rather than later.

Mal

Hi there

All being well (me anyway! ) - I should get the review done at the weekend.

Shain - the cockpit actually isn't all that small; it's about the same size as a Hellcat's.

Dave - now you've got the nostalgia juices flowing! Wings '48! I've still got their Brewster Buccaneer stashed away... I really do want to build that someday.

I might not make a start on this build before I disappear off to Greece next week, but I definitely WILL build it! Hmmm... it might be a good entry for the Flat-Tops Campaign.

All the best

Rowan