X-29A Military Aircraft Model

Item#: KYN029T

MSRP Price: $151.15

Factory Direct Price: $113.36

Wing Span: 16.00"
Length: 8.50"

Manufacturer: Grumman

Introducing Factory Direct Models X-29A Mahogany Airplane Model, This Model Airplane Replica was hand crafted with absolute precision using the finest Philippine Mahogany. Working from our library of blueprints, reference materials and their photographs, Factory Direct Models master artisans recreated this historic military warplane into an incredibly desktop display model.

Please note that the stand shown in this photograph may vary or change with the model you receive.

We also make Custom Made Airplane Models to meet your specifications with the capability to include your company logo and inscribed inscription plaque to make your model a personalized work of art. If you would like personalized Custom Model Model Please Call (866) 580-8727.

X-29A History:

The Grumman X-29 was an experimental aircraft that explored a number of new technologies; the most immediately obvious being the forward-swept wings and canard control surface. The inherent aerodynamic instability of this arrangement required the use of computerized fly-by-wire control, and advanced composite materials were needed to make the wing sufficiently rigid without being unacceptably heavy. The X-29 first flew in 1984 and two X-29s were flight tested over the next decade.

Two X-29As were built by Grumman Aerospace Corporation, the first flight taking place in 1984. The aircraft were adapted from two existing Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter airframes (63-8372 became 82-0003 and 65-10573 became 82-0049) (after the proposal had been chosen over a competing one involving a General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon). The X-29 design made use the forward fuselage and nose landing gear from the F-5As with the control surface actuators and main landing gear from the F-16. The Grumman internal designation for the X-29 was "Grumman Model 712" or "G-712".

On December 13, 1985 one of the X-29s became the first forward swept wing aircraft to fly in supersonic, level flight. The earlier Junkers Ju 287 had been the first jet aircraft with forward-swept wings. The test program of the two X-29s continued from 1984 to 1991.[2]

The X-29A demonstrated excellent control and maneuvering qualities at an angle of attack up to 45 degrees. There was also a decrease in turbulence. However, the wing configuration made the craft inherently unstable and it could fly only with the constant corrections (up to 40 per second) provided by the computerized flight control system. The system was made up of three redundant digital computers backed up by three redundant analog computers; any of the three could fly it on its own, but the redundancy allowed them to check for errors. Each of the three would "vote" on their measurements, so that if any one was malfunctioning it could be detected. It was estimated that a total failure of the system was as unlikely as a mechanical failure in an airplane with a conventional arrangement.

X-29 Cockpit

The first craft built is now on display in the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. The other craft is on display at the Dryden Flight Research Center on Edwards Air Force Base. A full scale model is on display at the National Air and Space Museum's National Mall building in Washington, DC.