F-9 Flatbed

[pasukaru76]

The F-9 Flatbed is a light starfighter design in service with many planetary defence forces. It can operate both in space and inside an atmosphere. The unit shown here is painted with the markings of the 75th Squadron ASDF (Altair System Defence Forces).

Features fully retracting landing gear.

[BobaFett2]

This is a great ship! It's interesting in design and I like it!

[pasukaru76]

Heh, thanks! I had some serious doubts about this design.

[Admiral Netsooj]

The ship is very simple looking, but awsoem nevertheless! The landing gear is just awesome. You managed to hide it when in flight, and still have a sizable groud clearance.

[pasukaru76]

Thanks a lot! You're right about the ground clearance, the lowest part of the fighter besides the landing gear itself comes to rest about 5 plates above the ground. You can apply a lot of pressure to the top of the model without the landing gear giving in or folding back -- in fact, when I tried it, the wings broke off before the landing gear gave in.

[Daz Hoo]

I'm really amazed on how you incorporated a retractable landing gear in such a small construction. Other than that, the ship looks great! Love the colors!

[Alyosha]

Echoing other comments, I love the landing gear! That is a clever way to attach them, especially in such a small ship. I prefer the more angular underside, though. The flatness on the top is jarring to me.

[pasukaru76]

Yeah, I wasn't sure about the flat top myself. The top of the landing gear housing doesn't leave one much choice, though, and making the wings thicker would have looked bad on such a small fighter.One of these days I need to build a larger fighter using the same landing gear idea.