Witty Wings WTW-72014-08 | WITTY SKY GUARDIANS Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker Diecast Model Uzbek Air Force, Chirchik, Uzbekistan, 2001

General Background:

The Su-27 is a highly integrated twin-finned aircraft. The airframe is constructed of titanium and high-strength aluminium alloys. The engine nacelles are fitted with trouser fairings to provide a continuous streamlined profile between the nacelles and the tail beams. The fins and horizontal tail consoles are attached to tail beams. The central beam section between the engine nacelles consists of the equipment compartment, fuel tank and the brake parachute container. The fuselage head is of semi-monocoque construction and includes the cockpit, radar compartments and the avionics bay.

Sukhoi 27 Flanker

Designed by the Soviet Union to challenge the superiority of fourth generation US fighters such as the F-15 Eagle, the Su-27 was first flown on May 20, 1977. This one seat Mach-2 fighter had the Soviet Union's first operational fly-by-wire system. The aircraft is very large compared to the MiG-29, its closest Soviet counterpart, but it is built with a high percentage of titanium, which helps minimize its weight. It is exceptionally agile and is perhaps most famous for its "Cobra" maneuver, which is a short, sustained level flight at a 120 degree angle of attack, often performed at air shows.

Witty's 1:72 scale Su-27 is a large, heavy model made primarily of diecast metal, with plastic used only in those areas requiring the finest detail. Subtle panel lines and rivet details cover the surface of the model, and are even present on the underside. Moving parts include an opening hinged canopy, deployable speed brake with metal actuator support arm and movable rudders. The highly-detailed landing gear has separately-applied transparent landing lights, and structural and hydraulic line details are visible inside the wheel wells. Other fine details can be seen inside the engine intake, on the simulated heat shielding and on the arrestor hook.