1:144 Tu-160

A bomber with a variable-geometry wing

The Tupolev Tu-160 is the largest and heaviest supersonic aircraft that ever flew. The prototype lifted off in December 1981, the machine entered service in 1987 and in the NATO reporting name system it was given the name Blackjack. The crew sits in front in a cramped cockpit, while two weapons bays take up most of the fuselage. Four NK-32 engines with afterburning allow flight at twice the speed of sound and the outer parts of the wing sweep back in flight, so the span changes with the regime. A white finish against thermal radiation earned the type the nickname the White Swan. To this day it has been the only production supersonic bomber with such a large takeoff weight limit, while production was very limited.

What is inside the envelope

The enclosed film carries shapes matching the individual panes of the glazing and the frames around them. They are stuck on dry, hold by their own adhesive layer and after spraying are pulled off with tweezers. The manufacturer's description gives covering of the outer side.

A practical note on the build

Sharp transitions between the white area and the frame are very easy to see on this type, so the edge of the mask decides the result more than with military camouflage. The set does not contain the red stars or the markings of the aircraft; those are transferred from decals. Before spraying it pays to go around the perimeter of the applied masks with a wooden toothpick so that the paint does not run under the edge. It is better to apply the coats weakly and repeatedly; a heavy dose of paint creates a noticeable step once the film is lifted off.