Scratchbuilt 1/72nd Curtiss Cactus Kitten triplane Pulitzer racer

Addendum:

This particular post generated a lot of feedback, mainly about the dubious aerodynamics of this racer (triplane, huge "book" radiators).
And I agree! 
BUT: it not only came second, as said in the post, in the 1921 Pulitzer race, it was the FASTEST plane of the race in a straight line (loosing speed at the pylons due to very cautious piloting by Coombs, who may have doubts about the structural integrity or maneuverability of the plane).
So there :-) 

And here we have the model completed.

To see the building process please go to the post here:

http://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2016/02/scratchbuilt-172nd-cactus-kitten.html

This plane was completely covered in plywood, hence the absence this time of ribs and frames showing through the surfaces. The model depicts the plane as it raced the 1921 Pulitzer to second place by Coombs, before it was ceded to the navy for a symbolic sum. The race number was 3 (thanks Mike Gough!) and I have seen it in only one low quality photo on the Net. All other images that I was able to look at had either no number or marks, or the navy marks on the tail. The original plane had a broad and massive propeller, and quite robust wing struts.

This is a small model in 1/72nd scale, and things get complicated by the triplane configuration and passing-through diagonal struts, not to mention that I had to scratch every single part but the wheels.

This is most definitely one of those "Phew!" models, as confirmed by the big sigh of relief you proffer as you add the last part.

Cute, strange-looking, with racy lines and awkward "book" radiators, this  Cactus Kitten surely is a prickly build, but it compensates that with the happiness it provides when you hear it purr on the shelf.