Cyber-Hobby 1/200 Tu-95MS "Bear H"

The Tupolev Tu-95 (Russian: Туполев Ту–95 NATO reporting name: Bear) is a large, four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform. First flown in 1952, the Tu-95 entered service with the former Soviet Union in 1956 and is expected to serve the Russian Air Force until at least 2040. A naval development of the bomber is designated Tu-142.

The aircraft has four Kuznetsov NK-12 engines, each driving contra-rotating propellers. An airliner variant Tu-114 holds the record as the world's fastest propeller-driven aircraft. Some experimental aircraft were designed for theoretically higher speeds, but none attained or registered them. It also remains the only turboprop-powered strategic bomber in operational use. Its distinctively swept-back wings are at 35°, a very sharp angle by the standards of propeller-driven aircraft, and justified by its operating speeds and altitudes. Its blades, which rotate faster than the speed of sound, according to one media source, make it arguably the noisiest military aircraft on earth, with only the experimental 1950s era Republic XF-84H "Thunderscreech" turboprop powered American fighter design as a likely rival.

Tu-95MS/Tu-95MS6/Tu-95MS16:– Completely new cruise missile carrier platform based on the Tu-142 airframe. This variant became the launch platform of the Raduga Kh-55 cruise missile. Known to NATO as the Bear-H and was referred to by the U.S. military as a Tu-142 for some time in the 1980s before its true designation became known.

This one adds to Cyber-hobby's growing list of 1/200 kits and like others, this one is a large bomber. It is a great choice for this scale as even 1/144 makes for a rather large presentation. To get the basics out of the way, this one has their standard fine engraved detailing and I was surprised to find some rather large ejector holes on the pylons and ECM/targeting pods. There are three large grey sprues and a clear sprue that includes the cockpit transparency and the tail gunner's position.

There is no actual cockpit in this one, which is fine for this scale. The interior is simply painted black. The kit does not come with a stand, and there is no gear up option, which would have been nice. The gear doors have large tabs on them which make them easy to glue in place. These could be removed if one has a stand for in-flight display. Landing gear are well formed and provide the proper 'spindly gear' look, despite being more robust. Props are molded as a single piece, which makes for ease of construction, something I appreciate. One simply mates two together on a single prop shaft.  There are two missiles to be placed on the inner under wing pylons. I appreciate that the pylon holes are not already opened as frequently this aircraft was flown without ordnance.

Instructions are well drawn and use Gunze paint references. Markings are for two planes, Red 15 and Red 21 that differ only in number and individual aircraft name. The decal sheet is well printed and offers the black anti-icing boots for the props as well as the large rectangular patches seen on the engine cowlings. Both schemes are unpainted metal with light grey areas on the underside to protect the skin from the effects of the engine exhaust.

Another fine edition to the growing collection of Cyber-Hobby/Dragon 1/200 heavy aircraft. If you like the type and do not have room for a larger model, then this one is for you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-95

March 2012

Thanks to www.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. Get yours today at your local retailer.

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