Vought V-326 NX41861 Pratt & Whitney Engine Testbed

These are 1/72 scale decals for the Vought V-326 NX41861, operated as an experimental engine testbed for Pratt & Whitney, wearing Insignia Blue (FS 15044) upper surfaces with natural metal undersides and civil registration NX41861 in two size options, with the Pratt & Whitney eagle logo.

The Vought V-326 was a purpose-built experimental aircraft developed by Chance Vought Aircraft as a dedicated engine testbed for Pratt & Whitney — one of the most important manufacturer-to-manufacturer research collaborations in American interwar aviation. The V-326's clean, low-drag airframe provided Pratt & Whitney's engineers with a controlled and repeatable flight environment for evaluating new engine configurations, measuring performance data, and refining powerplant development outside the constraints of a production aircraft program. This kind of dedicated testbed work was essential to the rapid advancement of American aero-engine technology in the late 1930s, directly supporting the development of the powerful radial engines that would equip the next generation of U.S. combat aircraft.

The Insignia Blue and natural metal scheme with the bold Pratt & Whitney eagle logo and civil registration NX41861 make this one of the most distinctive and least-known Vought subjects in existence. The Pratt & Whitney "Dependable Engines" logo is included on the decal sheet. Includes two registration size options: NX41861 and V-326 manufacturer's designation in two sizes.

An exceptionally rare and obscure subject for any interwar testbed, Vought, or Pratt & Whitney aviation history collection. Please allow some time for decal printing and shipping.