Fisher Model and Pattern 1/48 XF6C-6 'Page Racer' Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The F6C Hawk was a biplane fighter developed by Curtiss Aeroplane Company for the US Navy. The design is a navalized version of the P-1 Hawk flown by the US Army Air Corps, with most strengthened for carrier operations. In service between 1927 and 1930, the Navy Hawks served aboard the USS Langley and USS Saratoga before being tranfered to serve with the US Marine Corps.

In the era between the wars, national aviation stature was expressed through air races, with each country's air arms competing head-to-head with the best of other nations. In 1930, the US Navy and Curtiss developed the XF6C-6, a development of the already streamlined F6C-6 biplane racer, but with the XF6C-6, the lower wing was deleted and the engine's radiator embedded in the remaining parasol wing. The XF6C-6 achieved the fastest lap of the Thompson Trophy Race, but the aircraft subsequently crashed after its pilot was overcome by fumes.

Fisher Model and Pattern has entered the domain of 1/48 scale with its first kit - the Curtiss XF6C-6 racer. As with their 1/32 scale kits, this one also features some beautiful casting, and the subject is simple in its detail making this kit an easy build.

As with the full-scale aircraft, the cockpit is a simple affair with the cockpit section pretty much cast complete as one part. Simply add the instrument panel and control stick, and you're ready to install the cockpit into the hollow-cast fuselage.

You can see in the third image to the right that the belly pan that also has the main landing gear struts integrally cast simply fits into the opening on the bottom of the fuselage. You'll use cyano for the glue and Mr.Surfacer 500 as the filler to blend in the seams.

Next go the cabane struts to the slots on the fuselage. You might want to use a jig to get the wing into place and allow the struts to dry in alignment with their corresponding slots under the wing.

That tailplane is also an insteresting bit of casting as the horizontal and vertical stabs are molded as one part. That simply snaps into the corresponding slot in the rear of the fuselage as you can see in the third photo.

Assembly is rounded out with the wheel pants, outer wing struts, propeller, tire inserts, and propeller.

The racer was overall light blue with the exception of the yellow wing. Painting couldn't be easier. Markings are provided for the Navy racer as it appeared prior to its final fate.

If you're an air racing fan, you'll want one of these kits to add to your scale flightline. If you've wanted to try your hand at a Fisher Model resin kit but are unsure about the cost of the F9F or Sea Fury kits, here is an excellent example of the Fisher kits in a much less intimidating size, cost and complexity. Give one a try!

My sincere thanks to Fisher Model and Pattern for this review sample.