This release is one for the books, and for those like us who are fascinated with flight test, NASA, and aircraft development, it doesn’t get any better than this.

We’ve spent a good deal of time at NASA’s Ames Research Center this past year. Ames is one of our favorite places for obvious reasons, but primarily because of its rich history of wind tunnel testing and research. I am fascinated with wind tunnel models. These scale models are some of the very first 3-dimensional artifacts produced in the aircraft development process, and they are critically important in understanding how new designs handle load and can be improved.

JETs Vol. 25-12 has been cut from the FULL SCALE wind tunnel model of an aircraft developed in part by General Dynamics and NASA – the E-7 Supersonic STOVL Fighter. The E-7, which borrowed design cues from the F-16, used thrust ejector nozzles to divert exhaust gas downward for vertical thrust/flight, and was tested in the Ames 40 x 80’ tunnel. The 40 x 80’ tunnel at Ames has tested some of the most inspiring and remarkable aircraft ever built (Space Shuttle / Orbiter, etc).

For testing, the E-7 was fitted with a specially modified Rolls Royce Spey engine – the Mk 801-SF (split flow). Only two of these engines were produced, and they were originally used in the NASA AWJSRA (Augmentor Wing Jet STOL Research Aircraft); which like the QSRA, was a modified DeHavilland Buffalo.

NASA sold the E-7 in early 2024 and we acquired the model from its original purchaser – Jeff Turner. Check out his awesome YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@JRAviation

Vol. 25-12 was cut from carefully removed panels from the E-7 model and is offered in four variants: White Printed (black/red printed), White Stainless Steel (laser etched), Blue (white printed), and STAB (printed scale vertical stabilizer). All JETs are steel or stainless steel and are HEAVY. The Stainless-Steel JETs feature a blueish etch.

Also offered is a STOVL Set that comes with a White Stainless Steel a Blue JET. 

Vol. 25-12 comes on a card by an artist we are honored to work with for the first time: James Martin of Studio Cartoons Deluxe. Seeing the card art for the first time is one of the most exciting parts of this process for me, and this card art is incredible, featuring the E-7 in the Ames 40x80’ tunnel.

Only four white and three small blue panels were unscrewed from the model for this run. The model has been stored outside at Ames for many years and is heavily corroded in areas, but our plan is to restore this one-of-a-kind piece of history. This is a massive undertaking, but worth it. There are so few of these large models left, and they represent what was on the forefront of aircraft design in their era.

Only 300 of these JETs are available. Don't miss this one!