Built in competition to fulfill the role of the Air Force's requirement for a long-range penetration fighter and bomber escort, only two airframes were built, neither one surviving. The second airframe actually survived three atomic blasts at the Nevada Test Site.
Pyro's version was never marketed as the XF-90, but the similarities are too close. Toy companies didn't always acknowledge 'borrowing' their ides from existing aerospace designs. The rod sticking up from the fuselage on the toy was meant to accommodate a rubber tube which connected the airplane to a tower. I believe there were two planes connected to the tower and they revolved around it.
From Vegas Skunk Works
Ed
USA
What an amazing find! I had no idea Pyro made this beauty. An extraordinary example of a concept aircraft used as toy fodder - thanks for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteThese are actually quite common and I had bought several from the same dealer years ago. The ones without the peg on top seem to be harder to find. There's also an olive drab version which I have but didn't send Woodsy those photos.
DeleteAnother great toy. There were only a few kits of the XF-90, all from the early 1950s. There was a 1/32nd scale wooden kit by Cleveland Model & Supply Company, and 1/48th plastic kits by Hawk and Aurora. Since then there have only been a few modern kits for enthusiasts.
ReplyDeleteThanx Paul! w-a-y back in the day I was mostly into WWII aircraft kits and a kit of this would have just slipped by me. I remember both Hawk and Aurora. Hawk made some really cool planes back then.
DeleteLovely Ed!
ReplyDelete