Hillcrest 1/65 US Army 1909 Wright Biplane 'Flyer' - World's First Military Aircraft

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Hillcrest 1/65 US Army 1909 Wright Biplane 'Flyer' - World's First Military Aircraft plastic model kit

1/65 Hillcrest US Army 1909 Wright Biplane 'Flyer' - World's First Military Aircraft

Plastic Model Kit,   Box Condition: Good+

Hillcrest was one of the pioneers among American plastic model kit manufacturers. Two kits are known to exist - this one and the Curtiss Pusher. There may have been a Bleriot XI but this is unconfirmed. Model Plastic Products of Hollywood, California was the parent company and they first issued the two kits under that name in 1951. In 1952 the Hillcrest name was used. The kits were a radical departure from other kits of the day that required tedious building and finishing of wood parts. For this reason Hillcrest advertised "prefabricated" and "assembly time 3 to 6 hours" on the box least they be mistaken for traditional wooden kits. The kit has injection molded main parts in the frame of the actual aircraft. The small cello bag is still sealed and contains cast metal details such as the engine, tank and more. The framework is to be covered in tissue which is supplied along with rigging material. The instructions have a very nice three view drawing, parts diagram and written instructions. This aircraft, called a "Flyer" by the Wrights, was built for the US Army about five years after the first Kitty Hawk aircraft. The aircraft incorporated many improvements and was built of very high quality hickory, ash and spruce. Wings were two-spar construction with built-up ribs and wire trailing edges. The airfoil had a camber-cord ratio of 1 to 20 and both sides were covered by a rubberized fabric. This aircraft had the doubtful distinction of having the first fatal air crash. A propeller cracked and tore the rudder loose, killing Lt. Selfridge while seriously injuring Orville Wright. Kit has not been started and is complete with all parts and instructions.

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