Martin Baker MB-5 – the British experimental fighter

Martin Baker MB-5 – the British World War II fighter prototype. The first flight took place in 1944 - the machine never entered mass production. The aircraft was equipped with one Rolls-Royce "Griffon" 83 engine, developing 1900 h. p. The fighter reached a maximum speed of 740 km/h, the maximum flight range was to reach 1990 kilometers. The armament was to consist of four 20 mm HS.404 cannons. The MB-5 was developed as a private initiative of the Martin Baker company, which began work on it at the end of 1943. However, due to the relatively small funds, that it could spend on research and development of the construction, the first prototype took to the air only in 1944. During the first tests many defects of the aircraft were revealed, especially related to the stability of vertical and horizontal flight, so there were no orders from the British Ministry of Aviation. However, the fighter developed further and, after eliminating the defects, was ready for further tests, but only in 1945. Despite the fact, that after the improvements, the Martin Baker MB-5 turned out to be a machine with excellent performance characteristics, excellent maneuverability and simple control, it did not go into mass production. This happened, because the RAF was already using such excellent fighters, as the Supermarine “Spitfire” or the de Havilland “Mosquito”, and the end of World War II was also the inevitable, and come a beginning of the jet era.

A small model of a small airplane, well designed and richly detailed, but of medium complexity. The model is suitable for modelers of any experience. For beginners and modelers with little experience are recommended to work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, don’t rush, work carefully and thoroughly. It is also possible to simplify some components and make the cockpit interior and the extracted landing gear as a test. If it works - GREAT!!! - we make a full model. If it doesn't work, You will have to be content with a model with the landing gear retracted and opaque cockpit “glasses”. The model perfectly recreates all visible exterior details, the chassis, its niches, cockpit equipment, control surfaces can be made separate from the main surfaces or together with them. The wing mechanization is perfectly reproduced - the panels and air brakes can be made unfolded. There is a small supply of colors (in connecting two sheets), the textual instruction in Polish is extensive, detailed and perfectly describes the entire process of assembling the model, the graphical instruction is also extensive, consistently arranged, informative and easy to read.