Test/research and NASA aircraft are at the top of our list, and when those overlap you really have something special. I am so pleased to announce JETs Vol. 25-08: NASA/Sikorsky S72A-1 RSRA (Rotor Systems Research Aircraft) S/N 72002 and Vol. 25-09: NASA/Sikorsky/DARPA S72X-1 RSRA/X-Wing S/N 72003.
**This listing is for Vol. 25-09, the S72X-1. To purchase Vol. 25-08, the S72A-1, visit its listing on the home page.**
The RSRA
The RSRA was developed under a joint NASA/Army program in the 1970s to test developmental propulsion and rotor systems. Two aircraft were built by Sikorsky: 72001 (tail 545 / N740NA) and 72002 (tail 546 / N741NA). Both RSRA aircraft could fly in 3 different configurations – as a pure helicopter, a compound helicopter fitted with wings and TF34 (S-3A Viking) engines on fuselage mounted pylons, or a fixed wing aircraft with the rotor removed.
The RSRA was a first in many respects, and featured a crew extraction system that when activated, used explosives to sever the rotor blades from the hub allowing for crew members to be jettisoned from the aircraft via rockets.
Aircraft S/N 72002 was later modified by Sikorsky to test a new “X-Wing” rotor system that could be stopped in flight and act as a wing. This newly modified 72002 became 72003 and was known as the RSRA/X-Wing. Both 72002 and 72003 wore tail N741NA.
Aircraft 72003 completed several test flights after its conversion without the new X-Wing rotor system installed, but due to budgetary constraints, the aircraft never flew with the X-Wing.
The JETs
Material for this release was purchased directly from NASA Ames and was included in 2 different lots: One with the QSRA (Quiet Short-haul Research Aircraft) and the other with the same parts lot from which we acquired the SOFIA 747SP parts (among other NASA aircraft). These parts consisted primarily of airframe parts from 72003 (the X-Wing) and the horizontal stabilizer removed from 72002 (the original RSRA) before it was modified. We have had this material on property since March of 2024.
The original RSRA aircraft and the RSRA/X-Wing are colloquially known as the S-72. Sikorsky and NASA personnel documented these aircraft as the S72A-1 and the S72X-1. This naming convention was also used on all removed parts we have here and on the data plates. In a nod to the incredible minds that developed these aircraft, we have gone with S72A-1 and S72X-1 on the JET art. Additionally, as is standard for us, we used the serial numbers for each aircraft on the JETs vs the tail number. Lastly, all parts (except one) we used for this run were tagged with the name of the component. We used the exact nomenclature used on these tags so you will know exactly what component your JET was cut from.
Vol. 25-09 is offered in 8 variants. These JETs were cut from various components (listed below) removed from S72X-1 72003. These JETs are sold based on their finish/color and could be cut from any of the components listed below.
Variants: NASA White, NASA Blue (honeycomb backed), DARPA, Blue/White (honeycomb backed), Red, Red/White, Green, and Tailpipe (high temp). All are laser etched and come with a card by BVR depicting 72003 flying in its X-Wing configuration. 1000 total JETs are available and most are solid colors.
Sets/Combos:
RSRA/X-Wing Combo: NASA White S72A-1 + NASA Blue S72X-1
X-Set: Red/White + NASA Blue + DARPA
Components used for this run:
TF34 Engine Tailpipe Fairing (tag variants: Red, Red/White, NASA White)
TF34 Engine Tailpipe (tag variants: Tailpipe)
TF34 Engine Pylon (tag variants: NASA White)
Wing Fillet (tag variants: NASA White, NASA Blue, Blue/White)
TF34 Engine Door (tag variants: DARPA, NASA White)
"Upper Deck" Fairing (tag variants: NASA Blue)
To learn more about Vol. 25-08, JETs cut from parts of this aircraft after before its modification to the S72X-1, please visit its listing on the home page.