Lee-Richards annular wing - Modified Avis 1/72nd injected kit

Alternative thinking and unusual ways to solve problems have always fascinated me.

A large part of my model collection is constituted by what in general is shallowly thought as "aviation oddities", many of them scratchbuilt. It is a bit unfortunate that most modelers are seldom exposed to things others than the well known "one design solution fits all" school of aviation.

But aviation at large is full of lesser-known types that offer visual diversity, innovative research, and a glimpse at how other minds, with creative thinking, face the challenges of the field.

As I mentioned, I mostly have to scratchbuilt what I want, since hardly ever manufacturers would venture out of the easily marketable types (I don't blame them much, since many modelers tend to be conservative). Thus I was gladly surprised when I saw the annular wing offered by Avis, a type I scratchbuilt many years ago (the link to that post is in the building article, here:

https://wingsofintent.blogspot.com/2020/03/lee-richards-annular-wing-avis-172.html

Therefore congratulations to Avis for their boldness and the breath of fresh aviation air!

Rather than rewrite here a potted history of the type, I would encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and do a bit of Internet navigation to explore this and other aviation inventive and out-of-the-ordinary types.

I modified a few things in the kit to obtain a more accurate reproduction, all explained in the WiP:

-replacement of incorrectly shaped prop

-modified undercarriage (re-shaped front wheels, new struts with shock absorbers)

-fill/re-contour the front of the teardrop engine fairings on the fuselage sides, which photos show had no opening

-replacement of rigging mast with brass Strutz

-cut-out for engine on fuselage belly

-added Aeroclub engine (modified to fit)

-added front passenger position and fuel tank

-added wind-driven fuel pump

-added photo-etched control horns

-added minor details on elevons seen in photos: additional rigging and a small stiffener mast.

I am truly happy to have now a better representation of the incredible annular wing, provided by a good kit with a fair price, good level of detail and relative easiness of construction.

Once again, well done Avis! This one goes to join the Avis fleet with the Short Cockle and Satellite, Bristol M1D, Bristol Racer, Mig 8 Utka, and American Gyro Crusader on the shelves. I have in the stash their D.H.60 and am eagerly waiting for their Stout Skycar to reach the hobby shops. What a fine stable of appealing civil aircraft by a manufacturer that ventured to go above and beyond!