Hobby Master HA9503b | SU-30SM Russian Knights Russian Air Airforce, 2019 (With decals from No. 30 to 37)

General Background:

The Sukhoi Su-30, initially named Su-27PU, is a two-seat multi-role fighter that evolved from the Su-27UB trainer version. The Su-30 was given new avionics and weapons for ground attack abilities. The aircraft began production in 1992 and in 1996 was renamed Su-30, NATO name is Flanker. The Su-30 has several variants, India has the MKI, Algeria has the MKA and Malaysia the MKM and Russia the SM. These 4 variants all have thrust vectoring and canards for added stability to compensate for the nose-heavy radars. There are several other Su-30 variants without canards.

The Aircraft:

Russian Air Force Aerobatic Team “Russian Knights” was formed in 1991 using aircraft and crews from the 237th Guards Proskurov Aircraft Demonstration Center at Kubinka, AB. They were originally equipped with 6 Su-27s but since 2016 have used 8 Su-30SM numbered from 30 through 37. The Russian flag appeared on the fins for the first year before being replaced with blue fins with stars. On November 7, 2019, a ceremony was held at Kubinka AB to introduce four multi-purpose single seat Su-35S’ that will replace the Su-30SMs.

Su-30SM specifications
Developer - JSC Sukhoi Design Bureau
Number produced – 138
Maiden flight – September 21, 2012
Role - Multirole fighter
NATO name – Flanker C
Crew – 2
Dimensions
Length – 21.94 m
Wingspan – 14.7 m
Height – 6.36 m
Weight Empty- 17,700 kg
Loaded – 24,900 kg
Maximum – 34,500 kg Performance
Speed – Mach 1.9
Service ceiling – 17,300 m
Range – 3,000 km
Power plant 2 X AL-31FP Saturn/Lyulka engines Thrust – 7,6770 / 12,500+ kgf
Armament
Gun
1 X 30 mm
Hardpoints – 12 Missiles
Air-To-Air
R-27
R-73
R-77
Missiles
Air-To-Ground
FAB-100 / 250 / 500 KAB-500 / 1,500 Kh-29, Kh-31, Kh-59 OFAB-100-120 / 250-270 S-8 / 13 / 25