Anigrand Craftswork 1/72
Republic XP-69

Background

The P-69 project was a Republic design for a high altitude fighter. The aircraft could reach nearly 50,000 feet with its 42-cylinder radial engine and a pressurized cockpit. The engine was to be located behind the pilot a-la-P-39 and drive a counter-rotating propeller.

The XP-69 prototype was being developed in parallel with the XP-72, another Republic design for a fighter with a 3450 horsepower engine and impressive flight performance. When the XP-69 ran into development problems with its engine, the USAAF cancelled that project in favor of the XP-72. As turbojet developments were finally making progress, this project was also cancelled in favor of the P-80.

The Kit

Anigrand continues to fill in the voids of aviation history in scale modeling. This latest release covers the Republic design that didn't get much further than mock-up stage before getting cancelled. This unique lines are not lost on the perceptive aviation buff, we would see these again in Republic's first jet-powered fighter - the P-84 Thunderjet.

This new kit is packaged in Anigrand's usual sturdy box and is packaged in compartmented pouches to keep shipping damage to an absolute minimum.

The fuselage is hollow-cast and the cockpit tub is integral to the fuselage. Drop a pilot's seat and control stick into the tub and you can close up the canopy (after painting of course).

The wings plug into the fuselage sides and the tail mounts to rear of the fuselage. Add landing gear and the contra-rotating prop and you're done!

Parts are also included in this kit for a spare set of contra-rotating props so you can convert the XP-54 Swoose Goose into the XP-68 Tornado.

The Decals

Markings are provided for generic cockages and aircraft '77'.

Conclusion

This is a nice-looking kit and should be a quick build for the experienced resin modeler.

This kit is definitely recommended for the modeler who is tired of the same old subjects getting released by the 'big guys' in the hobby industry!

My sincere thanks to the US importer, Nostalgic Plastic for this review sample!