Pro Resin 1/72 Fairey FD.1

The Fairey Delta 1 or FD1 was a British research aircraft produced by the Fairey Aviation Company for investigation of delta wing flight characteristics and control at transonic speeds. In testing, the FD1 exhibited unfavourable handling and stability leading to its ultimate cancellation.

Originally conceived as a vertical takeoff (VTO) fighter, the proposed fighter was intended to be launched from an inclined ramp. Already in the early design stage at Fairey, the Ministry of Supply (MoS) decided to have the aircraft built as a more conventional jet-powered research vehicle to specification E.10/47. The design was a mid-wing tail-less deltamonoplane, with a circular cross-section fuselage and engine air-inlet at the extreme front. The engine was a Rolls-Royce Derwent 8. Although designed as a transonic aircraft, the Delta 1 had a short-coupled, "portly" appearance, completely at odds with Fairey's next design, the sleek and elegant Delta 2. Three aircraft were ordered with the name "Fairey Delta" applied to the project; subsequently, the name was changed to Fairey Delta 1.

Pro Resin has produced a number of British prototype and experimental aircraft over the last few years, and this one of the Fairey Delta 1 adds to that growing list. Molded in their usual light tan resin, the quality of the molding is very good with only a few air holes to be found from time to time. Some parts, like the cockpit and seat and wheel wells, for instance, have relatively large pour stubs while others are more petite, but when one considers that these kits have to be shipped distances, it is perhaps for the best. ProResin packages their kits with sections of styrofoam in the box to keep the resin from moving around a lot and breaking small, fragile parts.

As you can see, the kit is rather parts intensive so isn't one I'd promote to a new builder. The areas for the wheel wells and the cockpit are recesses to allow the parts to fit snugly in place. Some trimming of bits is needed to remove what few mold seams you'll find. Thanks to this being a research aircraft, there isn't all that much in the way of additional things like weapons and drop tanks to worry about. Finding space for the nose weight may be problematic once the interior and nose well are in place, but space there is. The kit includes two vacuformed canopies, something I think should be mandatory for any kit that uses these. Inevitably, when only one is given, it is botched by the builder! Though the box art touts a clear acetate instrument panel. I certainly did not see one nor is one needed.

Instructions are quite good with clearly illustrated construction drawings and with color information provided. The lone aircraft is shown as silver and this may be either unpainted aluminum or High Speed Silver. The photo in Wikipedia looks to be very shiny unpainted metal. Markings are well printed and provide what few markings were used by this aircraft. The Wiki photo shows the usual 'circle P' for Prototype on the nose and that is not on the decal sheet. It is nice that the nose anti-glare panel and speed line are provided as a decal for painting this on would be a challenge for most of us.

Another nice resin kit for the fans of experimental aircraft. This is one that has rarely if ever been kitted, with this kit being the best of the lot for sure. As this is a limited resin issue, you need to get one when you can.

May 2009

Thanks to www.olimpmodels.com for the preview kit.