We are chuffed to release an updated version of our NASA S72X-1 RSRA/X-Wing aircraft with a new card that commemorates the NASA Ames Research Center. This release also features the S72A-1 RSRAs (S/Ns 72001 and 72002). 

The RSRA (Rotor Systems Research Aircraft):

The RSRA was developed under a joint NASA/Army program in the 1970s to test developmental propulsion and rotor systems. Two aircraft were built by Sikorsky: 72001 (tail 545 / N740NA) and 72002 (tail 546 / N741NA). Both RSRA aircraft could fly in 3 different configurations – as a pure helicopter, a compound helicopter fitted with wings and TF34 (S-3A Viking) engines on fuselage mounted pylons, or a fixed wing aircraft with the rotor removed. 

The RSRA was a first in many respects, and featured a crew extraction system that when activated, used explosives to sever the rotor blades from the hub allowing for crew members to be jettisoned from the aircraft via rockets. 

The X-Wing:

Aircraft S/N 72002 was later modified by Sikorsky to test a new “X-Wing” rotor system that could be stopped in flight and act as a wing. This newly modified 72002 became 72003 and was known as the RSRA/X-Wing. Both 72002 and 72003 wore tail N741NA. 

Aircraft 72003 completed several test flights after its conversion without the new X-Wing rotor system installed, but due to budgetary constraints, the aircraft never flew with the X-Wing. 

JETs. Vol. 25-08 and 25-09

Material for this release was purchased directly from NASA Ames and was included in 2 different lots: One with the QSRA (Quiet Short-haul Research Aircraft) and the other with the same parts lot from which we acquired the SOFIA 747SP parts (among other NASA aircraft). These parts consisted primarily of airframe parts from 72003 (the X-Wing) and the horizontal stabilizer removed from 72002 (the original RSRA) before it was modified. 

The original RSRA aircraft and the RSRA/X-Wing are colloquially known as the S-72. Sikorsky and NASA personnel documented these aircraft as the S72A-1 and the S72X-1, which is the nomenclature we used for our JETs.  

Vol. 25-08 is offered in a single variant: Horizontal Stabilizer and was cut from RSRA S/N 72002. 

Vol. 25-09 is offered in 9 variants: Engine Pylon (S/N 72001), NASA White, NASA Blue, Red/White, Red, Tailpipe (high temp), Blue/White, Green, and DARPA. All variants of 25-09 have been cut from the X-Wing except the Engine Pylon, which was cut from S/N 72001. This release also comes with the bonus option to choose your tag art. 

The entire 25-09 run is limited to 1,000 JETs cut from the X-Wing and 200 from the RSRA 72001 Engine Pylon.

Vol. 25-08 is limited to 100 total JETs.

Components used for 25-09: 

TF34 Engine Tailpipe Fairing (tag variants: Red, Red/White, NASA White)

TF34 Engine Tailpipe (Tailpipe)

Wing Fillet (tag variants: NASA White, Blue/White)

TF34 Engine Door (tag variants: DARPA, NASA White)

"Upper Deck" Fairing (tag variants: NASA Blue)

Engine Pylon (cut from aircraft 72001)