1/72 Northrop YC-125B Raider 3-engined STOL utility transport

Anigrand Craftswork - 1/72 Northrop YC-125B Raider 3-engined STOL utility transport. As World War II wound down, Northrop looked for a low-cost transport aircraft to serve under-developed airfields for emerging commercial routes. To meet that need, Northrop designed and built the N-23 Pioneer transport at its own expense. In 1948, the U.S. Air Force expressed interest in an aircraft of the same configuration and placed an order with Northrop for 23 aircraft, 13 troop transports designated the C-125A Raider and 10 for Arctic rescue work designated the C-125B. The two versions of the YC-125 differed only in internal equipment. Initial flight tests went well, and all 23 aircraft were delivered to the Air Force by the end of 1950. However, the YC-125 was found to be underpowered during service trials. As a result, the aircraft was thought to have little use in its intended roles. The Air Force had other, more versatile aircraft and helicopters that could be used in place of the YC-125s. Soon, all YC-125s were stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas and used for ground instructional training.