Hybrid? Also interesting for model aircraft / Hybrid airplanes—an interesting resource for model aircraft enthusiasts

About eight years ago, I had the opportunity to film an interesting model airplane in Salzburg: a Focke-Wulf 3. This was a 1943 design for an air superiority fighter, built and flown by Herbert Mittermayr from Austria. (see photo below) However, an original of this design never actually flew. In the cover story of this issue, we present the Vultee XP-81, a replica of an aircraft that many of us have probably never heard of. The XP-81 was built as an original and even tested in flight—but the project was discontinued due to a lack of performance.

What's fascinating about our hobby, however, is that such rare projects are brought to life as model airplanes. These replicas draw our attention to the history of these technical achievements.

In the Starfighter project, Beat Zumstein explains the complex process of converting or reverting (?) from a turbine to an electric powertrain—similar to what happens, for example, in the automotive industry, where electric powertrains replace internal combustion engines or complement them in hybrid vehicles.

We receive many interesting submissions from you, our readers, that you’d like to share with our readership—that’s the “fodder” for every issue. Thank you very much.

Let's see what the second half of the model flying season has in store for us.

The editorial team hopes you enjoy this issue of MFS.

Markus Nussbaumer

The opinions expressed on this page by the editor—as well as by other authors of this issue—do not necessarily reflect the official position of the SMV. Readers can find official association announcements in the “SMV” section.