SWORD 1/72 NORTHROP N-9MA

Reviewer: Caz Dalton  (cazmodel@mindspring.com)

"WAITING FOR THE UFO"
NORTHROP N-9MA
MUROC ARMY AIR BASE
CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 1944

Model Subject: Northrop N-9MA

Kit used: Sword, kit code SRT

History of the aircraft modeled:

                The third of four one-third scale (actually .35) flying wing test models for the XB-35, Northrop's N-9MA resulted in Army Air Force Change Order No. 3, dated September 10, 1942, which authorized Northrop to construct two more N-9M aircraft, designated N-9M2 and N-9MA. The N-9MA had an estimated contract cost of $92,751.20 with a fixed fee of $4,175.80 (4%) and a delivery date of March 15, 1943.

                When first test flown the N-9MA was painted with Chrome Yellow uppersurfaces and Trainer Blue (old USAAC Blue) undersurfaces.  This was changed to Trainer Blue uppersurfaces and Chrome Yellow undersurfaces in 1944. All surviving photographs show this latter color, but no explanation for this reversal has come to light.

                The flight control system on the N-9MA was a significant departure from the preceding N-9M series of aircraft. Flight controls were configured to be as nearly identical to the XB-35 as circumstances would allow. The most readily apparent change was the incorporation of a fixed open slot in the outer wing structure, as opposed to the externally mounted slats on the N-9M2; it served the same purpose but with less drag. In addition to the landing gear and split flap, hydraulic power was applied to all flight surfaces, creating an irreversible control system, which is a flight system wherein flight loads cannot move the control surfaces. As part of the design, an artificial feedback system was provided for the pilot.

                Power for the N-9MA came from two Menasco C694 Super Buccaneer 8-cylinders rated at 290 hp each. These were salvaged from racing planes once owned by Harry Crosby and Tony LeVier, rebuilt and de-rated for improved reliability.

                Ground tests for the N-9MA were completed in April 1944 and the first flight was on May 22. By late November 1944, the test program of some 50 flights was completed. Northrop was informed on October 2, 1944 that after flight No. 50, the N-9MA was to be stored in accordance with standard USAAF practices and procedures. It never flew again.

Additions, Modifications, etc.:

Interior:

The kit comes with a resin interior, with exception of the instrument panel and control wheel. I did not apply the resin nose wheel insert as I was doing an in-flight model and the inclusion would interfere with the pilot figure. The figure was taken from old stock and the legs had to be repositioned to fit the cockpit. The cockpit interior was painted interior green, with the instrument panel and various controls painted flat black and glossed for instrument decals and placards from Reheat Models. The figure was primed in khaki and hand painted with acrylics before receiving ink washes and dry brushed highlights.

Exterior:

The exterior was rather simple, but I managed to complicate matters since I wanted an in-flight model with props that spin. I had to cut the prop spinners from their attachment pieces. This was done slowly and carefully with a razor saw, sanded, and each separate part drilled to accept brass tubing of varying size for the spinners and their attachments. The propeller blades were very crude, but I could not find any suitable replacements in my stock box. I had to thin them and cut them to their acceptable length before installing fine copper wire and super gluing them to the spinners. The landing gear doors fit respectably for a limited mold kit, but still needed a bit of filling and rescribing for a proper look. I added the antenna on the starboard undersurface from 0.025 copper wire and the pitot tube from a #26 hypodermic needle and fine stainless steel wire. The vacuum formed canopy fits well, but much care and sanding must be done to acquire such a fit. It was attached with Kristal Kleer.

Painting and decaling:

After masking the canopy with Bare-metal foil, I gave the canopy frames a coat of interior green and primed the model with two coats of chrome yellow. After touch ups I gave the undersurfaces three color coats of chrome yellow.  The undersurfaces were masked and the uppersurfaces and two prop assemblies were given two coats of Polly Scale USAAC Blue. After removing the masking and touching up I gave the entire model and propeller assemblies two coats of clear gloss for decal prep.

The only kit decal I used was the Northrop logo forward of the canopy. The two National Insignia were from SuperScale and the under wing slots done with black decal trim film. I used insignia blue trim film for the prop warning stripes and red film for the Hamilton Standard markings (I have some oval Hamilton Standard markings, but all photos I could find show them as rectangular on the N-9M series). The prop tips were hand painted insignia red.

After decals were dry, I applied ink washes in all control surface recesses. Hydraulic fluid leaks were done with unthinned India ink. The model was then given two finish coats of clear gloss, with the hydraulic leaks given a brushing of semi-gloss after the gloss had dried. Exhaust stains were done with powdered black pastel applied by brush. The navigation lights were done with #1 sized Waldron-punched disks of Bare-metal foil, given a drop of Kristal Kleer, and painted clear red and clear blue after the Kristal Kleer had set up.

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