1:72 Su-24M Fencer-D

The Fencer that flew right above the ground

The two-seat tactical bomber Su-24 came about as an answer to the requirement to reach a target at low altitude and in any weather. The crew sit side by side, the wing sweeps according to the speed of flight and the nose section houses a terrain-following radar. The version marked with the letter M received more accurate guidance equipment and a probe for aerial refueling, so the range of its operations grew considerably. In the code of the North Atlantic Alliance the type carries the name Fencer.

A silhouette full of sharp edges

The angular nose, the side air intakes and the massive twin tail surfaces make the machine one of the most recognizable aircraft of the Cold War. The swing wing offers the modeler a choice: spread wide for a view on the ramp, or drawn back as if the aircraft were heading for its target. The pylons for bombs and rockets under the fuselage and the fixed part of the wing add a great deal to the look of the machine. Aircraft of that period mostly carried muted gray-green upper surfaces and a light underside, while later examples also wore more colorful schemes.

Work in a small scale

The 1:72 scale keeps the model at a reasonable size of around twenty-five centimeters, and yet it is a sprawling piece with a wide span of the tail surfaces. Without glue, paints and patience the aircraft will not come out of the box. It is a good idea to plan the order of the build in advance: the cockpit and the nose section are easier to paint before the fuselage is closed, and the pylons are glued on to the finished paint so that they do not get in the way of masking. The wide glazing over the pair of seats will reveal every piece of carelessness in gluing, so set aside some calm time for it.