Mustard

BAC's Low Speed Research Vehicle

-  Colin 'Flying' Pickett

During the late 1960s the British Aircraft industry started investigations into the possibility of producing a reusable space vehicle entitled the Multi-Unit Space Transport and Recovery Device, reduced to the title ‘MUSTARD’. As part of the project a proposal was placed for the construction of a low-cost lifting-body style glider of welded steel and plywood construction to study the potential design for the re-entry vehicle and undertake experiments on the flight envelope to allow safe landing of the aircraft. Freightdog have produced a resin kit in 1/72 that allows the proposed glider to be built. The kit is based around fifteen detailed resin parts, which are cleanly moulded and free from any visible defects.

The first job when starting construction is to cut the larger parts from their moulding blocks with a razor saw before a quick wash in warm soapy water and a good rinse to remove any mould residue.