KIT:

Roden 1/72 AN-12BK-PPS

KIT #

046

PRICE:

$

DECALS:

Two options

REVIEWER:

Scott Van Aken

NOTES:

 

HISTORY

 
The An-12 Soviet military transport aircraft (or 'Cub' according to NATO classification) was produced at the end of the1950s under the guidance of O.K. Antonov. From the very beginning of its long service the intended principal mission of this aircraft was transportation; however, as the years passed, its role in the Soviet Air Force changed repeatedly due to the fact that this aircraft was capable of performing so many roles not originally envisaged.

 The An-12PP built in 1970 was one of the most interesting (and at the same time the most secret) modifications. During this period air defense systems were very dominant and the role of an air force during the era of the Cold War had somewhat decreased due to the threat of major losses of flight crew in the opening phases of potential conflict. The rapid development of air-to-air missiles was also a negative factor, especially after the introduction of missiles with homing warheads.

 In these circumstances the Council of Ministers and the USSR Ministry of Defense issued a government order for the production of a compact (for that time) system for radio interference which could be installed in the aircraft which would perform the task right above the area of action. Officially declaring a peaceful policy, the Soviet Union assumed that any likely conflict would be outside the borders of the USSR. The aircraft most suitable for fitting such equipment in was the An-12. In 1968 a special electronics suite was installed in an experimental An-12B aircraft. It consisted of automatic stations generating spot jamming, as well as active and passive electronic radar countermeasures which would disable the adversary's air defense system and anti-aircraft missile guiding system. Apart from those mentioned above, the aircraft was equipped with special systems for crew protection in case of possible use of weapons of mass destruction (including biological ones).

 The test flights were successful and shortly afterwards 27 standard An-12B and An-12BK transports were modified to An-12PP specifications.

 In 1971 an An-12PP was modified again: the aircraft was further equipped with the 'Lilac' system of group defense, installed in external containers. This modification received the name An-12BK-PPS. The rapid development of electronic systems demanded constant upgrading of the special equipment. In 1974 the An-12PP was substituted by the An-12BK-PPS, the improved version. Automatic equipment for infra-red interference was installed on this type.

 The An-12BK-PPS has long been one of the least known Soviet aircraft types. Their service was very limited; maybe their only 'real' fighting experience was gained during the Yom Kippur Arab-Israeli war of 1973 when the aircraft flew with Syrian markings, with Soviet crew.
 The An-12BK-PPS (it received the NATO code Cub-C) was not exported to allied countries, with one exception - the Indian Air Force received 4 aircraft of this type.
 
 The An-12BK-PPS was extensively used in service until the end of the 1980s. The type mostly served along the USSR's borders during military training. After the break-up of the Soviet Union, the An-12BK-PPS remained in service only in the Russian Air Force. Several machines are still in service today.

Thanks to the Roden Website for that historical background

THE KIT

With as much invested into the AN-12 kit as Roden has done, it was only natural that they'd try to come up with different variations on the basic kit. This is the first one I'm aware of though I do note from their website that a civil version will be offered. Choosing the ELINT version of the An-12 means that there are quite a few additional fits and pieces added, most of them antennas and various fuselage bulges and bumps. These are offered on three new sprues shown on the right of the image above. With a total of 270 pieces, this kit will be keeping the builder quite busy.

Since it is the same basic kit as their earlier AN-12BK, all the comments on that one are germane to this one as well. The instructions are well drawn and provide all the needed information regarding the application of all the little antennas and pods. Color information is given with Humbrol and generic name references. Basically, you have a grey airplane with two different numbers. It is a fact that large ELINT airplanes have rarely carried any sort of fancy designs, preferring to remain somewhat anonymous. Units covered on the sheet are:

  1. An-12BK-PPS "red 14", Russian Air Force, Levashovo airfield, 2001.
  2. An-12BK-PPS "red 90", Soviet Air Force, Far Baikal Military District, late 1970s.

Decals are well printed and since they won't be put on any convoluted surfaces, they should prove to be no problems. Though Roden supplies an anti-glare panel decal for the nose, I'd recommend painting this on as it will look a lot nicer.

CONCLUSIONS

Once again, a very nice kit from Roden. This one will surely turn a few heads when you show it off at your next meeting or show

Thanks to the fine folks at  for the review kit. Visit them by clicking on the logo.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly by a site that has nearly 250,000 visitors a month, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.

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