Hasegawa - 1/72 Su-33 FLANKER D

Soviet Naval Aviation was primarily a ground-based service for its fixed-wing aircraft throughout most of its history because the Soviet Navy didn't have aircraft carriers. Technically, the Russian Navy still doesn't own any aircraft carriers because of the Turkish ban on aircraft carriers transiting the Turkish straits that connect the Black Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. The Russians classify their VSTOL carriers as cruisers and their sole aircraft carrier Kuznetsov as a heavy aircraft-carrying cruiser.

During the peak of the Cold War, the Soviet Navy operated the Yak-38 Forger on their 'through-deck cruisers' while pushing for an angle-deck carrier capable of operating more conventional tactical aircraft. That vision came to pass with the start of construction of their first 'aircraft carrier' in 1982 and its commissioning in 1991. Some of the delay in getting this ship to sea may have been because of the numerous name changes (Riga => Brezhnev => Tblisi => Kuznetsov). One of the distinctive differences between Kuzetsov and other aircraft carriers is on the flight deck. While the Kuznetsov employs arresting gear similar to other carriers, the ship doesn't have catapults. Instead the naval designers took a page from the British and employ a ski-jump to get the aircraft airborne. This has the advantage of eliminating the complexities of catapults on the ship's design and the corresponding weight and complexity for catapult use on the aircraft.

Hasegawa has become a leader in scale plastic kits by producing highly detailed models that impress the most demanding hobbyists. Because of the accuracy found in such areas as cockpits, interiors, engines, weapon bays and aircraft wheel bays, many Hasegawa models are built by professionals for museum displays. Ultimately, Hasegawa understands that the reward in model building goes beyond successful assembly. For the enthusiast, each model represents an opportunity to explore history, learn more about the subject and create a scale miniature to enjoy for a lifetime.

Features:

-Accurate scale model

-Highly detailed model kit

-Detailed instructions provided

-May require assembly and painting

-Includes plastic sprues, waterslide decals, and clear parts

-Wing fold detail including the flaps

-Horizontal stabilizer fold details

-Extended forward chine with canards

-Short beaver tail with tail hook

-Corrected radome

-Molded-in air refueling probe

-Twin-wheel nose gear

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