KORA MODELS 1:72 ZHUCHENKO AEROSTATOPLAN
'INBOX Review'

 

Reviewer: Johan De Wolf (rec.models.scale) 

Kit Details

History

When talking about tilt rotor aircraft most people will immediately think of several American designs. Some of you might even be familiar with some German war time designs that never got of the drawing board. However, as far as I know, the first tilt rotor design that was actually built was designed before WWII by the Russian born Nikolai Zhuchenko. Zhuchenko was one of the many higher educated people that fled from Russia after the revolution. Once settled in Yugoslavia, he picked up his interest again. He was deeply interested in vertical take off as a means of getting airborne. His first design was for a machine powered by a gas turbine. The turbine would exhaust through movable slots in the wing. Providing downward trust for take off and transitioning to backward trust for regular flight. He received several patents for this design. A scale model set up of this design was tested in a laboratory in mid 1937. The test was successful and a lift force of about 2,5kg per hp was measured. An air force commission that heard of these tests became interested and encouraged Zhuchenko to continue with development. They provided him with a sum of money and further technical support. However as this was such a radically new concept, there where many technological problems to be solved. And there where many technical problems as well, of which not least was the lack of a suitable gas turbine. 

Therefore Zhuchenko decided to simplify his design by using more conventional technology. The new design had a wing that could rotate around its main spar. Each wing had a large 3-blade rotor/prop attached to its leading edge. These rotors were to be powered by a single engine through a transmission system. Total weight would be around 425kg and the calculated speed in forward flight would be about 200km/h, with an estimated ceiling of 5000m. Even the design of this simplified version took more time and money than was foreseen. Though the prototype was at an advanced state of construction, the air force had lost interest and no more money would be forth coming. Zhuchenko was convinced it would fly and insisted on continuing with the construction of the machine. Somehow he managed to find enough money to complete it. 

Finally in September 1939 the machine was ready to be tested. Tests would include systems tests, lift measurement and testing of flight characteristics. The results proved to be rather disappointing. Before the complex and weak transmission system failed the machine was tested at full power. It shook and shuddered as if wanting to take off, but the measured lift was well below what was needed to get airborne. This was not really surprising as the engine was only a 50hp Walter Mikron. After this demonstration the air force concluded its earlier decision had been right, and it showed no further interest.

This is a pity because with some more time to iron out the technical difficulties, a stronger engine and more efficient rotor blades this machine might well have flown.

All traces of Zhuchenko were lost during the German occupation of Yugoslavia, and it is unknown what happened to his Aerostatoplan.

The kit

The kit is packed in a typical almost square box. The resin parts are cleanly formed with restrained surface detail. The small etched fret is very thin, which makes the undercarriage parts too weak the support the solid resin fuselage. The single A4-size instruction leaflet includes a part identification drawing, 2 construction diagrams, and a two view colour scheme. The windshield has to be made out of the clear sheet.

Accuracy

Measurements of span and length show no problems. There are only a few photographs of this peculiar machine and the kit compares very well to these.

Construction 

As is usual the cockpit is up first. The solid resin fuselage has an hole in in where the cockpit details need to be placed. This will be a tricky job as the space is rather cramped. In all 5 parts need to be installed. The wings can best be attached by sticking them on a metal pin (not included). The tail wings are simply butt joined. The rotors are made up of 6 parts each including 3 separate blades… oh joy!. The main landing gear contraption is made out of two etched parts that have to be bent and two resin parts. I am afraid the etched parts will be way too fragile to carry the relatively heavy model. Besides that these parts look unnatural as they are flat. So I will replace them with plastic strut and rod stock.  

Painting

As is often the case with these esoteric subjects, there are no painting details given. Only the outside is dealt with. The machine was painted in an olive green colour all over, except for a few bare metal panel on the nose, fuselage back and lading gear. As the Aerostatoplan was devoid of any markings no decals are necessary. 

Conclusion

This has to be one of the most esoteric aircraft to be produced in kit form. Luckily it is an accurate kit of this historically interesting but practically unknown aircraft. It is great that the cottage industry is willing to take a risk by releasing kits of aircraft hardly anyone has heard of.

References

 

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