tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post4420799588430531311..comments2024-03-08T16:42:41.614-08:00Comments on Tailhook Topics: Modeling the Bell XFL-1 AirabonitaTailspinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-20638284926929404522023-01-30T23:46:52.770-08:002023-01-30T23:46:52.770-08:00Many thanks for your reply - that's good to kn...Many thanks for your reply - that's good to know!<br />I was thinking of depicting panels lines with the aid of slight variations on the aluminium lacquer and by using lightly-drawn pencil lines, a technique I've seen used to good effect. Panel lines like those you mention definitely need to be a bit more prominent!<br />Happy to share pics when its done! Its entered as part of a current Group Build on the Britmodeller forum, but progress will be slow and the more I learn the more I want to get it as accurate as possible, so it may be a while before I finish!<br />Many thanks once again and best regards,<br />MarkMark Sellickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15284394763702600961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-71739285305821244972023-01-30T08:33:58.517-08:002023-01-30T08:33:58.517-08:00Depiction of panel lines not visible in photos tak...Depiction of panel lines not visible in photos taken from a distance of more than 50 feet or so is an artistic choice in my opinion. That said, there are some on the XFL-1 fuselage that meet that criteria like the access to guns/ammunition and the engine. Good luck with your conversion. Please share pictures of it.Tailspinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17837863895661437038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-88735620660661676062023-01-30T04:05:28.094-08:002023-01-30T04:05:28.094-08:00Hi Tommy,
many thanks for your reply - that's ...Hi Tommy,<br />many thanks for your reply - that's really helpful as I know now that scratch-built tailplanes will be needed. Good news about the cab intake, though, and it looks like Eduard do suitable six-stub exhausts in their Brassin range.<br />Discussing this project on the Britmodeller forum, another member has suggested that any panel lines would be faint if not invisible - phots in your book seem to bear this out - as it was a development aircraft and Bell wanted it to perform as well as possible so it was particularly well finished. Would you agree with that?<br />I've just started cutting the wings.....scary stuff!<br />Many thanks once again,<br />MarkMark Sellickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15284394763702600961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-40298957716754781392023-01-28T08:05:53.488-08:002023-01-28T08:05:53.488-08:00Mark - I don't have what I consider to be accu...Mark - I don't have what I consider to be accurate P-39 drawings at the moment but comparing the XFL-1 empennage to the P-39's using the best one I found on line, the P-39's is not nearly close enough to be of use, particularly considering it is smaller. The P-39 carburetor intake, on the other hand, looks appropriate. I regret to say that I didn't do a close comparison of the available 1/72 XFL kits to the drawings other than the wing...<br /><br />Tommy Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-38767449517860414612023-01-25T03:45:48.129-08:002023-01-25T03:45:48.129-08:00Hi,
I have your XFL-1 monograph and I can say its ...Hi,<br />I have your XFL-1 monograph and I can say its extremely interesting throughout.<br />I'm building RS Models injection moulded 1/72 Bell XFL-1 kit soon, and apart from the problems with the wing plan, I wondered if you were aware of any other issues with the kit?<br />I'm probably going to build the model to depict the aircraft in its final flight test configuration, which I think means a larger fin/rudder, wide span tailplanes, different radiator housings and carb inlet, and fewer cowling louvres. I was wondering if you know of any other necessary changes?<br />The larger fin/rudder I would probably scratchbuild, but I wondered of P-39 tailplanes and carb intake could be used.<br />I'd be very grateful for any thoughts or suggestions you may have.<br />Many thanks and best regards,<br />MarkMark Sellickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15284394763702600961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5848437078181345610.post-27084517831459640242018-03-16T00:35:36.163-07:002018-03-16T00:35:36.163-07:00The XFL may have lost to the F4U, but it shows tha...The XFL may have lost to the F4U, but it shows that Bell could make a Cobra with a tailwheel for a short take-0ff, and carry fuel for a longer combat radius. Just these 2 flaws made the P-39 a logistical headache. The larger wing addressed the Cobra's stall-turn handling, and spin was damped a bit by the taller tail. If only it kept the turbo of the XP-39! It was a Navy fighter. If it was free of the Army's rationing of turbos on their own fighters except P-38s, the XFL should have developed the B5 turbo with rare tungsten for reliability. So, without guns it had a top speed in 1940 of only 336 mph at 10,000' and 307 mph at s.l. Climb to 20,000' took 9.2 minutes - about the same as the faster P-39D with guns. At least the XFL had a supercharger like the P-39s. The P-400 Cobra didn't. So it took 15 minutes to climb 20,000'. The Cobra could have been better due to the Bell XFL fighter.Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00859459630597973085noreply@blogger.com