I was walking around a local branch of Tesco's recently ... and saw that they were selling various Mattel Hot Wheels vehicles for £1.00. One particularly caught my eye ... an aircraft called 'Mad Propz'. It was so cheap that I could not resist the temptation to buy it ... so I did!
When I got home and opened the packaging I was struck by something ... the design seemed vaguely familiar. I did a bit of online research, and according to a Hot Wheels collector's website, the model's designer was inspired by the design of the Curtiss P-40. My first thought was 'No way!'; if the design takes any inspiration at all it is from the fuselage of P-51 Mustang and the wings of the Supermarine Spitfire).
Some days later I happened to be looking through a reference book about Russian fighter aircraft and saw an aircraft design that was quite similar to 'Mad Propz' ... a Bisnovat SK-2.
The SK-2 (Skorostnii Krylo – high speed wing) was a fighter aircraft designed by Matus Bisnovat's Design Bureau, and was a development of his earlier SK-1 design. The prototype was flown in October 1940 by G M Shiyanov, but the aircraft was not put into production.
The SK-2's characteristics were:
Note: None of Matus Bisnovat's aircraft designs went beyond the prototype stage, but he was subsequently heavily involved in rocket-propelled aircraft design, and oversaw the development of the R-40 (NATO designation: AA-6 Acrid), R-60 (NATO designation AA-8 Aphid), and R-73 (NATO designation AA-11 Archer) air-to-air missiles.
When I got home and opened the packaging I was struck by something ... the design seemed vaguely familiar. I did a bit of online research, and according to a Hot Wheels collector's website, the model's designer was inspired by the design of the Curtiss P-40. My first thought was 'No way!'; if the design takes any inspiration at all it is from the fuselage of P-51 Mustang and the wings of the Supermarine Spitfire).
Some days later I happened to be looking through a reference book about Russian fighter aircraft and saw an aircraft design that was quite similar to 'Mad Propz' ... a Bisnovat SK-2.
The SK-2 (Skorostnii Krylo – high speed wing) was a fighter aircraft designed by Matus Bisnovat's Design Bureau, and was a development of his earlier SK-1 design. The prototype was flown in October 1940 by G M Shiyanov, but the aircraft was not put into production.
The SK-2's characteristics were:
- Crew: 1
- Length: 8.28 m (27 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 7.3 m (23 ft 11.5 in)
- Empty weight: 1,850 kg (4,078 lb)
- Gross weight: 2,300 kg (5,071 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Klimov M-105 (VK-105) producing 1,050 hp
- Maximum speed: 660 km/h (413 mph)
- Rate of climb: 19.23 m/s (3785.6 ft/min)
- Armament: 2 × 12.7mm BS machine guns mounted above the engine.
Note: None of Matus Bisnovat's aircraft designs went beyond the prototype stage, but he was subsequently heavily involved in rocket-propelled aircraft design, and oversaw the development of the R-40 (NATO designation: AA-6 Acrid), R-60 (NATO designation AA-8 Aphid), and R-73 (NATO designation AA-11 Archer) air-to-air missiles.
Excellent - does the portable war game have rules for planes?
ReplyDeleteThey just cry out to be put into sky blue, tractor green and black " Fruit Loop " camo ,Bob.
ReplyDeleteRegards, Chris
I would have liked to place something like that aircraft in my Kiivar Air Force as an interceptor... When I looked at it I thought it might have been based loosely on a MiG3.
ReplyDeleteVery pleased that someone else also enjoys the little treats from the bargain Shops. I too have had some good luck BOB...A Toy Helicopter for $3 that will do for my 1966 VIETNAM Project - the whole project is now possible as I now have a pretty near scale 28mm Helicopter. Yip-Yeah!!!. Cannot wait to paint up the Toy. All the best. KEV.
ReplyDeleteCant wait to see it in it's new colours?
ReplyDeleteConrad Kinch,
ReplyDeleteNot yet ...
All the best,
Bob
Chris Kemp (Chris),
ReplyDeleteThe prototype is going to be painted in a simple dark green colour, but any 'production' machines may well appear in something a little more warlike.
All the best,
Bob
Archduke Piccolo,
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you add one to your air force. At the price this one was on sale for, I would have bought several ... if the shop had had them!
All the best,
Bob
K.C.Robertson (Kev),
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of toys that are suitable for wargaming ... just as long as one isn't too fussy about total accuracy. I used to be ... but now I am not; as a result I have less stress, more money, and am even more attractive to women. (The last is a lie ... but it sounds good!)
Good luck with your project.
All the best,
Bob
Mike Saunders,
ReplyDeleteHopefully by now, you have!
All the best,
Bob