The Osprey can trace its roots back a long way into the 1970s, while the tilt-rotor concept goes back even further to the time of very early aviation between the wars.  In the 70s Bell began constructing a prototype that bears a family resemblance to the Osprey, complete with twin engines and a very similar overall shape.  After the disaster that was the US raid in Iran to free their embassy staff, a gap in their inventory was identified for a large vertical and short take-off and landing aircraft that could also fly at similar speeds to fixed-wing aircraft with a comparable range.  This led to the development of the V-22 Osprey that took the basics of the Bell design and enlarged it sufficiently to carry a number of fully-loaded troops or a vehicle the size of a HUMVEE externally, in partnership with the Boeing Helicopter division.  It first flew in 1989, and had a relatively troubled gestation that wasn’t yet over when it first went into service in early 2000, although it wasn’t actually used as a true service aircraft until 2007 with the Marines and 2009 for the USAF.  A number of test airframes were lost with fatalities, and the Marines lost two airframes early on, which caused some delays to the programme, allowing time for the software that allows the transition between hover and forward flight and assists the pilots to catch up and become the stable, capable platform it is today.

Its capabilities have been questioned over the years by some, but a single airframe type can’t be all things to all people, and its ability to land and take-off vertically then transition to forward flight at a similar speed and range to a traditional fixed wing aircraft is an excellent capability for any army.  It has seen extensive use in supply and casualty evacuation roles in the recent conflicts and policing actions, and is scheduled to become a carrier communications aircraft this year (at time of writing) to replace the ageing C-2 Greyhound, which it outclasses comprehensively.  It came very close to being cancelled at least twice, as the budget and unit cost spiralled higher as the project proceeded, but it has evolved into a very safe method of transport for the Marines, having an accident rate of half that of the traditional rotary aircraft they deploy.  Bell Boeing are developing the V-280 Valor(sic) for the US Army, which builds upon the technology pioneered by the Osprey, but changing the tilting mechanism so that only the props move, while the engine stays fixed in the “forward” orientation.

The only 1/48 kit of a modern Operational US Marine Corps Osprey.

Kit includes:

• All the latest antennas, jammers, and electronics found on the current Marine Ospreys. Even the FLIR sight, RADAR, and refueling probe.
• The entire main wing rotates and engine nacelles are movable.
• Can be built-in takeoff or flight mode. Two sets of rotor blades are provided. One for the flight position and one for the folded storage position.
• All the small vortex generators above the wing are in place.
• The ramp can be displayed open or closed.
• Fuselage with true-to-scale panel line and rivet details.
• Clear fuselage cockpit parts.
• Perfectly reproduced cockpit features and entire cabin structure detail is provided.
• Photo etch fret with fuselage grilles and Pilot's seat belts.
• Separately molded fire extinguisher with photo-etch bracket.
• Inside the cabin, you'll find all the correct passenger seats and many interior electronic system boxes represented.
• Detailed wheel wells, landing gear, and engine exhausts. Even windshield wipers are in the kit.
• Decals for one currently operational Marine squadron aircraft. The decal sheet is cleanly printed, thin, and in register.