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Snecma C.450 Coléoptère (1959)
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SCALE: 1/48 |
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INITIAL RELEASE: 1961 |
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MEDIUM: Polystyrene |
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RARITY: (4) |
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Coléoptère in Flight |
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ABOUT THE DESIGN |
ABOUT THE KIT |
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The C.450 Coléoptère was France's attempt to build a tail-sitting VTOL fighter in the same vein as America's experimental Lockheed XFV-1 "Salmon," Convair XFY-1 Pogo, and Ryan X-13 Vertijet. The plane was distinguished by its annular wing; that is, the wing was shaped like a hollow cylinder, which made the plane look like a flying beer keg. The Coléoptère was only test-flown a few times in 1959. During one of these tests, in an attempt to transition from horizontal to vertical flight, it crashed and was destroyed. |
Released in the early 1960s and again in 1965 by France's Heller company, this is the only 1/48 scale model of this ridiculous-looking airplane ever produced. In the 1990's Mach 2 (also French) released a 1/72-scale version complete with transport trailer. This model is from Heller's second release. |
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