Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: KiwiZac on August 10, 2016, 09:59:08 AM
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Over in Stories a while back I posted this:
Defending the giant – the Antonov An-124M
As the Soviet-Afghan War dragged into its second decade the Afghani rebels – the Mujahideen – became increasingly better-equipped. As well as increased use of surface-to-air missiles such as the Stinger the Mujahideen began to acquire aircraft from third-party nations. Several Dassault Mirage IIIs - believed to have been donated to the Mujahideen by Pakistan - were flown and maintained by serving Pakistani pilots on secondment. At the same time the escalation of Soviet involvement demanded heavier payloads be flown into the mountainous nation’s dangerous airfields.
The Ilyushin Il-76, for years the backbone of Soviet airlift capability in Afghanistan, was supplemented by the gargantuan Antonov An-124 Ruslan super-heavylift jet. However the massive payload capability of the Ruslan became outweighed by its vulnerability and the combination of SAMs and interceptor aircraft began to take a heavy toll on the limited fleet. The loss of two Ruslans in the space of one week in late 1989 – one to a Mirage interception – forced the Soviets into a corner.
The Antonov design bureau entered into a rapid redesign of the type with a quad-mount tail turret (inspired by the Il-76) and the addition of anti-missile countermeasures. The militarised aircraft was given the designation An-124M (for modifitseerovannyy, or “modified”) and, after the modifications were evaluated and proven on Antonov’s own testbed, three serving examples returned to Ukraine for conversion. As well as the upgrades, each aircraft was completely stripped and repainted in a camouflage scheme like that of serving combat aircraft. The loss of a third unmodified example in February 1990 further proved the need for the An-124M, and another aircraft was pulled from Aeroflot service to be so converted. Because of the pressing need for aircraft Antonov “donated” the original testbed airframe to the air force (rumours abound that an air force officer demanded the aircraft from Antonov executives at gunpoint).
The An-124Ms were first spotted in Afghan airspace on 23 April 1990, when four examples were recorded by international observers around the country. For some weeks it was believed – and reported – that up to eight camouflaged Ruslans (the modifications were not mentioned, due to viewing distances they were almost invisible) were in service but in reality each aircraft received two “bort” or identification numbers to confuse the enemy. The first airframe was Yellow 01 and Blue 03, the second Yellow 02 and Blue 04 and so on, the Yellow bort number being the “correct” identifier for each machine.
The concept was proven in mid-May, when Yellow 04/”Blue 06” was attacked by an aircraft (possibly a Pakistani F-16) which it shot down using the rear turret. Days later Yellow 01/”Blue 03” was targeted by SAMs while on approach to Kabul’s airport, all three missiles missing due to flares. It wasn’t until January 1991 that a Ruslan-M was damaged by an enemy missile, the aircraft landing at Kandahar safely and needing minor repairs.
Following the October 1992 peace treaty the Ruslan-Ms were used to repatriate injured servicemen as well as military infrastructure no longer required, the last such flight coming shortly before Christmas that year.
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I also said "I thought about doing this (...) but, really, I can't afford to and I have no place to put it". Well I'd better sort out that latter part:
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/27EF712D-AD6B-4A52-B797-7433A01710FE_zpsutmui1ww.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/27EF712D-AD6B-4A52-B797-7433A01710FE_zpsutmui1ww.jpg.html)
That is a lot of plastic. What have I gotten myself into?
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Way to not waste anytime!! >:D
:)
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"I thought about doing this (...) but, really, I can't afford to and I have no place to put it".
Maybe hang it upside down on the ceiling? :)
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I think it'll need to be a hanger-upper, it's "yuge"! I tried to take a photo of me holding a fuselage sprue but I couldn't fit it in the shot! :o
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Nice,,,,,
Wasn't aware of this kit. Is candidate to be built as 1/72.
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It's big enough to be built as something 1/48!
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Update time! If you do it wheels-up and with both door things closed, this is practically a weekend build. There is a LOT in the box.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/9325FAD1-BC8E-4270-86DC-BBA0B9F2CAFA_zpsrwm3rljm.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/9325FAD1-BC8E-4270-86DC-BBA0B9F2CAFA_zpsrwm3rljm.jpg.html)
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/0704F48A-98D4-4D40-8FAC-9B5C7F73EB97_zpsfusqeugx.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/0704F48A-98D4-4D40-8FAC-9B5C7F73EB97_zpsfusqeugx.jpg.html)
This is the roof of the cargo cabin. A looooong piece of plastic!
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/92E7F7F6-6860-4F10-ACA5-242501EE3E25_zps0l7xvz83.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/92E7F7F6-6860-4F10-ACA5-242501EE3E25_zps0l7xvz83.jpg.html)
The Spitfire in the foreground is 1/72.
I expect to have the airframe complete and painting underway by the time Sam gets back from work.
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The wings and engines are assembled and going together as I type:
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/061ABC6A-C89F-4DC4-A568-D97460EB5A82_zpstnhdwmmh.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/061ABC6A-C89F-4DC4-A568-D97460EB5A82_zpstnhdwmmh.jpg.html)
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Coming along nicely.
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Still not too late to find a 1:144th scale Tupelov Bear bomber kit and swap the engines out so you can make a turbo-prop An-124 :)
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Still not too late to find a 1:144th scale Tupelov Bear bomber kit and swap the engines out so you can make a turbo-prop An-124 :)
(http://images.memes.com/meme/657247)
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Now that's a brilliant idea, except not one I'm keen to tackle! Plus I cemented the engines in place with CA...
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No photos today - work on the Ruslan was focused on engine paint touch-ups and painting the belly. Hopefully this weekend I'll tackle the turret.
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Rumor is Greg has ordered the 1/48 kit !
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Rumor is Greg has ordered the 1/48 kit !
Rumor is denied...only because the 1/48 kit doesn't exist.
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Yet ;)
Expect to see some serious progress by this time tomorrow! I have a pack of Red Bull and I ain't afraid to use it! :icon_beer: :icon_beer: :icon_beer:
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I have a pack of Red Bull and I ain't afraid to use it! :icon_beer: :icon_beer: :icon_beer:
Red Bull and Jägermeister will solve all of your problems ;)
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Red Bull and Jägermeister will solve all of your problems ;)
And give you a whole new set of problems...
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Red Bull and Jägermeister will solve all of your problems ;)
And give you an interesting combo for a racing strip! ;)
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8)
I slept in a bit yesterday and got carried away with a couple of RW Mustang builds, but I'll try get a new photo up soon!
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Well, I sawed off the tailcone and started the turret:
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a388/ZacYates/just%20models/F9E28999-51E0-47AF-BC4E-B68230376EB5_zpsmmmaqkje.jpg) (http://s15.photobucket.com/user/ZacYates/media/just%20models/F9E28999-51E0-47AF-BC4E-B68230376EB5_zpsmmmaqkje.jpg.html)
However my attention has been taken by two 1/48 Mustang projects - and I'll be roadtripping to see the next newly-restored Mosquito fly either next weekend or the one after - so I'm not sure when you'll see more. All that needs to happen ( ;D ) is the turret, and painting the camo.
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I look forward to seeing how you do the turret. I have a C-17 I want to make Russian, and the only real change besides camo and markings is that tail turret. Its the show stopper. some ideas:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Tupolev_Tu-22m,_NATO_%22Backfire%22_(8911304464)_(2).jpg (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Tupolev_Tu-22m,_NATO_%22Backfire%22_(8911304464)_(2).jpg)
http://i.imgur.com/TaAg1am.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/TaAg1am.jpg)
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/d7/9d/b3/d79db39d5aeaef5db950aa1b09338929.jpg (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/d7/9d/b3/d79db39d5aeaef5db950aa1b09338929.jpg)
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=109868 (http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=109868)
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TT has some very good suggestions for the gun turret and all I can add to that is the following:
B-36, B-47, B-52, A-3/B-66, B-58.
Might be other candidates too but that is all I can come up with at the moment.
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Given the era, I would tend to go the Tu22M route
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Given the era, I would tend to go the Tu22M route
No clear parts needed either
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I'm basing it on the Il-76, but with more guns. You can't see it but I do have a little windscreen taped there...not til I was safely inside the house did I notice it's invisible at that angle!
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I'm basing it on the Il-76, but with more guns. You can't see it but I do have a little windscreen taped there...not til I was safely inside the house did I notice it's invisible at that angle!
Now I see it there! Wow this is massive
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Hmm, that suggests an interesting heavy gunship concept or two.
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Go for it, Evan! There's another cheap one on the auction site I got this from, if you want it! Postage will be painful, though...
Now I see it there! Wow this is massive
The gap left after removing the tailcone is big enough for a 1/72 turret!!!
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Yeah, if it's from down in your area of the globe, I quite imagine. I know what five little 1/144 kits ran me.
I think I'll pass, got way too many other irons in the fire.
Then, out of curiosity, I browsed eBay. Dear Lord, the 1/72 Modlesvit kit is quite pricey, even at its cheapest.