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Pro Resin 1/72 Berliner-Joyce XF3J-1 FL

By Matt Bittner

Introduction

The Berliner-Joyce XF3J-1 was an answer to the US Navy's call for a single-seat fighter that used the 625hp Wright R-1510-26 engine.  It was unusual in that the wings were elliptical giving the XF3J-1 a "butterfly effect".  This was the last fighter developed with fixed landing gear.  It was decided that since more promising aircraft were developed so the single XF3J-1 was the only one made and the program cancelled.

The Kit

proresin_berlinerjoyce-parts1.jpg
The Pro Resin 1/72 XF3J-1 (try to type that a bunch of times) consists of 46 resin pieces and a two vacuformed canopies (a spare in case something happens while cutting and sanding out the first).  The resin pieces are nicely cast and I couldn't find any pinholes.  Unfortunately the vac canopy's frames are a little indistinct so higher magnification will be needed when masking the clear parts for frame painting.

The decals are for the only single example and are decently printed.  This single example consists of a light gray fuselage, aluminum-doped lower wing and underside upper wing, and yellow upper wing and horizontal tail.

In an unusual twist, the first step of the instructions is not the cockpit and instead is assemblying the engine.  You'll need to mount the fourteen separate cylinders onto the crank case.  I would paint all parts prior to assembly and just touch up after gluing it all together.

proresin_berlinerjoyce-parts2.jpg
The next step is assembling the cockpit.  First put the decal instrument panel on the resin instrument back.  Next paint the seat (with in-situ molded seat belts) and assemble it and the control stick to the floor/rear bulkhead part.  The rudder pedals are also molded into the floor/rear bulkhead so with the right amount of weathering/dry brushing these should stick out.  But even with the molded in detail on each fuselage half, seeing anything through the small cockpit opening - especially if leaving the canopy closed - will be difficult.  So, because of that the cockpit detail provided is definitely plenty.

The next step of the instructions has you assemble "everything else".  However, I would hold off on the upper wing and struts until after final painting.  The one thing you may want to figure out is if you want to glue the landing gear struts prior to painting or not.  Personally it would depend on if any gaps exist.

Conclusion

This is an awesome kit, and in the right hands could be a relatively quick build.  With only 46 parts and given the layout of the design there isn't much to assembly - for a biplane.  This is an excellent kit  and even though it was only a one-off, should prove to be a great looking model.

Plenty of thanks go to Pro Resin for the review sample.

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