1/72 72115 Amodel Tu-128UT Pelican - (Fiddler Trainer)
Plastic Model Kit, Box Condition: VG
At long last, an injection molded model of Fiddler's Three-Cockpit Trainer. Nicely detailed with over 100 pieces, all recessed surface detail, very good triple cockpits, optional position canopies, separately molded ailerons, trailing edge flaps, elevators & rudder, detailed landing gear, four K-80 missiles and more. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags and includes decals and instructions. The giant Fiddler is still the world's largest fighter aircraft and was designed to range far and wide to hunt down B-52 bombers. The Soviet Union had such a large northern border that it could not be covered with the existing range surface-to-air missiles and the short-ranged fighters available. Instead of leaving large gaps unprotected, PVO opted for defending the entire front but loosely; the Fiddler was the result of this policy. The original design for this task was the La-250, which was unsuccessful and Lavochkin's last aircraft. The lessons learned helped develop the Tu-128. The large fuel load was carried internally while all the missiles were carried on wing pylons. The AA-5 "Ash" was one of the most powerful air-to-air missiles at that time. The aircraft was first shown publicly in 1961. 198 were built and production ended in 1970. Fiddler was not a dogfighter or highly sophisticated but was reliable. The only 'combat' experienced by this type was in shooting down NATO reconnaissance balloons. Fiddler had a very long service life, being replaced in 1990 by the much more capable Mig-31.
$34.00