1:72 Sukhoj Su-27 Flanker airfield tow bar (universal, for any kit)

Airfield tow bar for the Su-27, 1:72, Armory

A resin replica of an airfield tow bar for the Su-27 fighter in 1:72 scale. According to the name the manufacturer treats it universally, that is as usable with any kit of this type. It is not a model of the aircraft nor a part of one, but a piece of ground equipment that sets a finished model into a situation on the apron.

What the accessory is for

A tow bar connects the aircraft to a towing vehicle and moves it around the airfield; one end fits the nose landing gear of the particular type, the other has an eye for the tug. On a model it fills two roles. First it adds a comprehensible story to the scene; second it helps with scale, because beside a small but clearly legible object a large twin-engined machine looks more convincing than it does standing alone on a bare base.

Building and painting tips

In 1:72 scale the parts are very small, so work over a light-colored surface and with tweezers; a piece of resin that has been cut off is hard to find. Wash the casting in warm soapy water, cut the casting blocks away with a fine-bladed saw and support the thin sections while cutting. It is glued with cyanoacrylate, applied with a pin in small drops, otherwise it will run over and flood the detail. A brush will do for painting, but a top shade sprayed with an airbrush comes out smoother in this scale. Complete the signal colors of the ground equipment with fine emphasis on the edges and light dusting with pigment near the ground.

Who the accessory is for

• dioramas with the Su-27 aircraft in 1:72 scale
• modelers who are building up airfield apron equipment
• cabinet scenes where the scale of the aircraft should be apparent
• modelers used to small resin parts

The accessory is supplied unassembled and unpainted. It is not a kit of the aircraft; glue and paints are not included in the package.