Northrop’s M2-F2/3 was one of several lifting bodies that NASA tested during the development of the Space Shuttle. It was also the source of the accident footage seen at the beginning of every episode of “The Six Million Dollar Man”, where the M2-F2 is seen slamming into the desert floor and tumbling over and over. Like Steve Austin, they would rebuild it, make it stronger, faster, better than before…
OK, maybe not stronger or faster, but Northrop did rebuild it, added a middle fin, and redesignated it the M2-F3. But dang, based on what can be seen in the accident footage, they built that thing TOUGH.
Lifting body kits have been thin on the ground, as I think the only injected kit prior to AMP’s M2-F2/3 was Mach 2’s extremely poor X-24A/B combo kit. There were also a number of resin and vacform kits out there too, like Muroc Model’s M2F1 and Eagle’s Talon M2-F2/3 and X-24A and X-24B kits.
While we wait for a high-end kit manufacturer to tackle these interesting and underrepresented aircraft subjects, we have AMP’s limited-run M2-F2/3.
The 3-D printed seat is unremarkable in my opinion, but the PE and canopy masks make for a full package. The plastic parts appear to be entirely serviceable too, which is a relief. The decal registration looks good as well. I need a seated Steve Austin figure in a pressure suit.
Outside of the Ukraine, this kit is obscenely expensive, almost double the $37 domestic price. But considering the subject (it’s not yet another Bf-109G-6) it is worth it if you like these kinds of things.
X-24A/B next please, AMP. Oh, and Takom and Meng, don’t be shy about doing these in 1/48 or 1/32.