1:72 X-3 Stilleto wheels and seat

The real subject

The Douglas X-3 Stiletto was an American experimental aircraft built to research sustained flight at supersonic speed. You recognize it by its exceptionally slender fuselage with a long pointed nose and by its short, thin wings with sharp edges. Only a single example was ever built. The engines that had been counted on were not available, so the machine flew with weaker power and never reached the speeds planned. Even so, flying it was worth the effort: the measurements from its flights advanced the understanding of how an aircraft behaves in rapid roll, and its thin wing served as the groundwork for later machines.

What the set contains

The set replaces the landing gear wheels and the pilot's seat, that is the two assemblies where the level of detail shows most on a finished model. The exact number of parts and the recommended fit are described in the manufacturer's instructions.

Building and painting tips

Fit and paint the seat before you close the fuselage; once it is glued together you will not reach it again. Cut the excess material off with a sharp blade a little way from the part and sand the rest smooth. Try the wheels dry-fitted and adjust the hole in the gear leg if needed. Choose the type of glue according to the material of the parts. Wash and degrease everything before painting so that the paint holds.

Who it is for

The set suits builders who are bothered by the simplified parts from the kit in this small scale. The package contains the wheels and the seat; the kit of the aircraft, the paints and the glue are not part of it, unless stated otherwise.