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Northrop LAP Low-Altitude Penetrator

By: Fantastic Plastic

Type: Scale Model

Product Line: Model Kits (1/144) (Fantastic Plastic)

Last Stocked on 1/16/2023

Product Info

Title
Northrop LAP Low-Altitude Penetrator
Publisher
Sub-category
Publish Year
2020
Dimensions
12.75x9.75x2.25"
NKG Part #
2147960543
Type
Scale Model

Description

During the early days of the B-2 Stealth Bomber's development, many designs -- and missions -- were considered for what everyone knew would be a radical radar-elusive aircraft.

The first question both Northrop and Boeing -- which were competitors for the Air Force contract -- had to answer was: Do we want to propose a high-altitude bomber or a low-altitude penetrator? The nature of the mission would ultimately determine the aircraft's overall design.

Early design studies from Northrop suggested that their Low-Altitude Penetrator (LAP) would have been far narrower and sleeker than the high-altitude version ultimately proposed, making it faster but considerably less fuel-efficient, giving it a significantly shorter range. It's therefore no wonder why this B-2 alternative wasn't aggressively pursued.

About the Kit

This 1:144 scale kit was released by Fantastic Plastic models in mid-2020. Designed in CAD by Scott Lowther, it contained both cast resin and 3D printed parts.

This model was built from the original issue.
Models & Model Kits are supplied unpainted and unassembled unless otherwise noted.