Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk.
The Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk was a light 1930s biplane fighter aircraft that was carried by the United States Navy airships USS Akron and Macon. It is an example of a parasite fighter, a small airplane designed to be deployed from a larger aircraft such as an airship or bomber.
Although designed as a pursuit 'plane or fighter, the Sparrowhawk's primary duty in service was reconnaissance, enabling the airships it served to search a much wider area of ocean.
To achieve launching and recovery from the airship in flight, a 'skyhook' system was developed. The Sparrowhawk had a hook mounted above its top wing that attached to the cross-bar of a trapeze mounted on the carrier airship. For launching, the biplane's hook was engaged on the trapeze inside the airship's (internal) hangar, the trapeze was lowered clear of the hull into the (moving) airship's slipstream and, engine running, the Sparrowhawk would then disengage its hook and fall away from the airship. For recovery, the biplane would fly underneath its mother ship, until beneath the trapeze, climb up from below, and hook onto the cross-bar. The width of the trapeze cross-bar allowed a certain lateral lee-way in approach, the biplane's hook mounting had a guide rail to provide protection for the turning propeller, and engagement of the hook was automatic on positive contact between hook and trapeze.
Only one Sparrowhawk survives today. BuAer number 9056 was pending write-off at NAS Hampton Roads in 1939 when it was transferred to the Smithsonian Institution. In later years it had been rebuilt, using parts from the surviving F9C-2 and the XF9C-2. It is currently displayed at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum collection, wearing the markings of F9C-2 A9056 of USS Macon.
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Thanks to Brentg for the model.
Various adjustments for excellent flight performance in RF 7.5.
The model paint scheme is that of the last surviving Sparrowhawk.
Flight controls include throttle, rudder, ailerons, elevator, gun trigger, and moving pilot.
Fly with the channel 5 rate switch in the “High” position.
The pilot movement is controlled by the ailerons.
Channel 8 controls the gun trigger. The switch position furthest from you fires the gun.
This is a rather nice biplane model. Very realistic flight performance. Easy to handle and land. If you're a biplane enthusiast you'll definitely want to try this one out.
The Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk was a light 1930s biplane fighter aircraft that was carried by the United States Navy airships USS Akron and Macon. It is an example of a parasite fighter, a small airplane designed to be deployed from a larger aircraft such as an airship or bomber.
Although designed as a pursuit 'plane or fighter, the Sparrowhawk's primary duty in service was reconnaissance, enabling the airships it served to search a much wider area of ocean.
To achieve launching and recovery from the airship in flight, a 'skyhook' system was developed. The Sparrowhawk had a hook mounted above its top wing that attached to the cross-bar of a trapeze mounted on the carrier airship. For launching, the biplane's hook was engaged on the trapeze inside the airship's (internal) hangar, the trapeze was lowered clear of the hull into the (moving) airship's slipstream and, engine running, the Sparrowhawk would then disengage its hook and fall away from the airship. For recovery, the biplane would fly underneath its mother ship, until beneath the trapeze, climb up from below, and hook onto the cross-bar. The width of the trapeze cross-bar allowed a certain lateral lee-way in approach, the biplane's hook mounting had a guide rail to provide protection for the turning propeller, and engagement of the hook was automatic on positive contact between hook and trapeze.
Only one Sparrowhawk survives today. BuAer number 9056 was pending write-off at NAS Hampton Roads in 1939 when it was transferred to the Smithsonian Institution. In later years it had been rebuilt, using parts from the surviving F9C-2 and the XF9C-2. It is currently displayed at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum collection, wearing the markings of F9C-2 A9056 of USS Macon.
>>>
Thanks to Brentg for the model.
Various adjustments for excellent flight performance in RF 7.5.
The model paint scheme is that of the last surviving Sparrowhawk.
Flight controls include throttle, rudder, ailerons, elevator, gun trigger, and moving pilot.
Fly with the channel 5 rate switch in the “High” position.
The pilot movement is controlled by the ailerons.
Channel 8 controls the gun trigger. The switch position furthest from you fires the gun.
This is a rather nice biplane model. Very realistic flight performance. Easy to handle and land. If you're a biplane enthusiast you'll definitely want to try this one out.
