Model details Scale 1:72 No. of parts 121 Length 541 mm Wingspan 327 mm Skill Level 4     Original details Type description Bomber Year/Period 1955 Speed 1480 kph

04371 Tupolev T-22B "Blinder"   The Tu-22 remained one of the most important Soviet strategic supersonic bombers over many years and the aircraft also enjoyed considerable export success. Development of this first Soviet strategic supersonic bomber commenced in 1955. 311 aircraft were built between 1960 and 1969 and were introduced into service as bombers, reconnaissance aircraft, missile carriers and trainers. The military requirements already began to change as the aircraft was entering active service. Equipped with comprehensive camera and sensor electronics the Tu-22R, with 127 aircraft constructed, became the version that was built in the greatest numbers. The quick-change capability between camera and sensor packs and bomb release mechanism allowed the Tupolev to be used as a nuclear weapons carrier. The Soviet airforce primarily employed the Tu-22 as a long range oceanic reconnaissance platform and, in its Kh-22 version, as a missile-carrier. In 1970, 180 of these aircraft were in service. In 1973 the Soviet Union delivered 12 Tu-22Bs and 2 Tu-22Us to its ally, Iraq. In the Iraq-Iran war from 1980 to 1988 Iraqi Tu-22s flew low level missions against industrial installations and military targets. In 1988, five of these bombers were still serviceable. Between 1977 and 1983 Libya acquired a total of 18 Tu-22s and used its aircraft for the first time in anger in the war against Tanzania and Uganda in 1979. Many details and 4 different decal-versions!