Planet Models' 1/72 scale
Northrop Tacit Blue

by Piotr Dmitruk

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Tacit Blue was created in 1978 as a technology demonstrator of a low observable surveillance aircraft, that could safely stay and monitor situation over battlefield without beind noticed, and provide real-time targeting information. The aircraft made its first flight in February 1982, but soon, in May 1984 the program was cancelled in favor of Boeing J-STARS. Later this aircraft was used to evaluate stealth technology for future “invisible” aircraft.

Tacit Blue employed a quadruply redundant, digital, fly-by-wire flight control system to help stabilize the aircraft about its longitudinal and directional axes, but wasn’t loved by its crews for flying characteristics, gaining nicknames “The Whale” or “HUM” (highly unstable mother...).

Unveiled by the U.S. Air Force only on 30 April 1996,Tacit Blue was placed on display at the National Museum of the USAF at Wright Patterson AFB, near Dayton, Ohio.

Planet Models’ 1/72 scale kit was built almost straight from the box, nice and easy. Only empty wheel wells were improved, and pitot tubes added. Undercarriage legs were improved too. They were reinforced with metal, which was helpful, as the engines are solid cast resin blocks, and one need lots of lead to keep this model standing.

The whole front part of the fuselage is transparent, but after careful trimming and a little puttying, caused no troubles.

The decal sheet contents only three little warning triangles, but you should use only one of them.

This must be one of the ugliest aircrafts ever built. You have been warned!

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Model and Text Copyright © 2010 by Piotr Dmitruk
Page Created 16 September, 2010
Last Updated 16 September, 2010

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