The Gloster CXP****1 Chinese Experimental Pursuit

該 Gloster CXP- ***1中實驗的追求

The first kit of the International Resin Modellers Association is the initial jet fighter designed for the Republic of China to specific specifications for production in China with Chinese involvement in the concept, design and initial production. Known as the Gloster CXP****1, CXP for Chinese Experimental Pursuit plane, it did reach the mock-up stage and component pre-production status. The reason and purpose for such an aircraft was not only the Chinese Civil War, but also to maintain China's status globally after the Second World War as one of the great powers.

At the turn of the *0th century China found itself embroiled in a revolution against an archaic and extremely corrupt monarchy.  After this was overthrown came a republic under Dr. Sun Yat-Sen composed of Republicans, Nationalists, Socialists, Communists and others. Following the First World War the dominant political party in China became the Nationalist Party founded by Dr. Sun. Upon his death a conflict arose between the Nationalists, led by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek and the Communists under Chairman Mao Tse-Tung. The Nationalists included the Blue Shirts roughly based on fascist principles as found in Italy under "Il Duce" Benito Mussolini's Black Shirts and the "Fhrer" Adolf Hitler's Brown Shirts. The Communists followed the teaching of "Marshal" Stalin's Red Army. In fact, during the time prior to the Second World War China had technical advisors from Germany, Italy and the Soviet Union assisting each side. At one point, when the Japanese invaded, General Tojo and Generalissimo Chiang looked to Adolf Hitler as a possible candidate to offer an objective solution to the situation. This came to an abrupt end with the alliance between Germany, Italy and Japan. However, the Chinese Civil War continued.

There was some temporary cooperation between the Nationalists and Communists with much encouragement from the U.S.A., U.K. and Soviet Union during World War II, however, with the final defeat of the Japanese any need for keeping a truce came to an end. With the U.S.A. becoming war-weary and wary of trusting Chiang, who had been hoarding weapons for the civil war instead of using them against Japan,  and the Soviet Union actingclandestinely to supply the Communists with ex-Japanese weapons, the Republic of China suddenly found itself in need of a new type of fighter to combat the Communists. So Generalissimo Chiang sent delegates abroad to explore possibilities of acquisition or development of the latest in propellor aircraft as well as emerging jet technology.

With little reception or support in the U.S.A., France, or Canada, the Chinese delegation under Colonel Ku suddenly and surprisingly found the United Kingdom ready and willing to help in just such a venture. The British government gave its approval for Gloster to aid in the design of a Chinese pursuit jet-plane that could be manufactured in a practical fashion within China at a skill level that most workers could attain with local materials and a minimum of imported components.

Thus the Gloster CXP****1 was designed solely to Chinese specifications and solely for production in China. In fact, the design involved direct Chinese participation via Colonel Ku. Indeed, Chinese teams of technicians were integrated with those of Gloster throughout the conception, design and initial production stages with the British government providing automobiles, accomodations and even stipends for the Chinese engineers.

Design began with the power plant which consisted of a single Rolls-Royce Nene centrifuge turbojet which had been approved for export and manufacture in the Republic of China. The aircraft was also planned to have a range of **0 miles on internal fuel and up to 1,**0 miles with a slipper tank beneath the belly. This was because of the size of China and the fact that the Communists were increasing their hold of the countryside as the Nationalists held the cities. Finally, armament was to be four *0 mm cannons placed around the nose and within the fuselage.

As the Chinese Civil War continued, it became increasingly apparent that the Nationalist forces were not only losing territory, but could soon be defeated, at least on the mainland. Ultimately, by the late ***0s the Republic of China had been reduced to Taiwan, Haninan Island and several smaller islands along the east coast of China proper. However, the fighting spirit of the Nationalists did not diminish! Great Britain chose to continue supporting the Nationalist Chinese.

Even after the loss of Haninan Island the Republic of China planned to continue with the project on Formosa (Taiwan) and was waiting for delivery of the component parts and drawings (Chinese designed) when the project was frozen. Grounds put forth by the United Kingdom were that Nationalist Chinese forces had attacked H.M.S. Anchises, a merchant vessle belonging to Great Britain, on *1 June ***9 and again in October of ***0. As a result, parts and drawings were disposed of without contacting the Republic of China. Also, as the U.K. was under the Labor government at that time, a friendlier face for the People's Republic of China was felt to be more of an advantage internationally. However, the Korean War was soon to change this mode of thinking and return Winston Churchill and the Conservatives to power. Of course by then the CXP****1 plans and parts were long gone and a great loss to the Republic of China, especially as its first jet. 

Here are some possible paint scenarios for those of you who decide to add the Gloster CXP****1 to your collection. These are merely suggested possibilities gathered from my own research.In one on-line article you will find the CXP****1 presented in a red and yellow Gloster scheme (highly unlikely, see below) along with a possible bare metal format. These are two choices.

The selection presented here is based on a few different factors. In the schematic below is a variation of the British Prototype Blue as used for the Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane and English Electric Canberra prototypes as well as the wind-tunnel model for the Miles M.*2. The United Kingdom used several other colors for prototypes also including: yellow, orange-yellow, red, silver, black, white, bare metal and others along company variations post-war. It would appear that pre-war and immediate post-war prototypes were a sky blue.

Please note that the British paint schemes would most likely not have existed. This is because the United Kingdom did not want any fighter jets that were affiliated with the Royal Air Force, or more advanced, in service with other nations outside of the Commonwealth. 

Next is a dark green top side with light blue underside as found on some Republic of China Air Force aircraft such as the Polikarpov I**6 and Tupolev SB*2Ms from just prior to and during the war with Japan.

Another possibility, and the most likely in my opinion, is that chosen for my model. Olive drab top side with light blue underside. This appears to be the most common paint scheme that I could find based on books, photos and museum photographs.

Last of all is a bare metal version which seemed to be growing more common by the ***0s, and especially during the Korean conflict, for aircraft of the U.S.A., U.K., Australia, South Korea, North Korea, P.L.A.A.F. , Soviet Union, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and etc.

Of course there are other possibilities for ROCAF schemes such as gray underside with the dark green or olive drab upper surfaces or even completely dark green or olive drab.

Most aircraft, dating back to the ***0s, were delivered in a bare metal dope from foreign nations to the ROCAF which then typically painted them completely dark green or olive drab and could add light blue or gray underneath. For those aircraft manufactured in China these seemed to also be the typical colors.

In short, paint your bird the colors you like or think are the most likely. With several variations, including some not mentioned here, this model can be a wonderful experience. And that is what our hobby is all about!

-Zane R Nobbs, ***9 CopyrightInternational Resin Modellers Association

Dimensions:

Wing Span: *8 ft 0.*0 in (*1.*0 m)

Length: *1 ft *0.*0 in (*2.*0 m)

Height: *4 ft 2.*7 in (4.*2 m)

Weight: *3,**0 lbs (6,**5 kg) at takeoff

Performance data:

Top speed: **0.0 mph (**5 kph) at *0,**0 ft (3,**4 m)

Range: **0 miles (**0 km) without drop tanks, 1,**0 miles (1,**0 km) with tanks

Thrust: 3,**5 lbs (1,**0 kgp)

Crew: 1, pilot

Armament: 4x *0 mm canon

References for this article:

A History of Chinese Aviation: Encyclopedia of Aircraft and Aviation in China Until ***9, by Lennart Andersson, published by the Aviation Historical Society of the Rep