Tupolev Туполев Ту-22M2 Tu-22M2 long-range maritime strike anti-shipping missile bomber of the Soviet Naval Aviation Fleet (Авиация военно-морского флота), circa 1984. The supersonic (Mach 1.65) variable sweep swing-wing Tu22M2 entered service in 1972 and of the nearly 500 built some 80 airframes are still in use by the Russian air force (Военно-воздушные силы Российской Федерации). The distinctive feature of this version is the upright side air intakes. Only 211 of this version was built between 1972 and 1983, mainly to sink US carrier battle groups. Problems in design and production of the basic airframe and engines led to an appalling service rate, and even prompted the Soviet Armed Forces to try and sue both Tupolev and the factory. The aircraft commonly carried one or two of the Kh-22 X-22 (Missile Complex-22) long-range anti-ship heavy cruise missile designed by the MKB Raduga (МКБ Радуга) bureau in the early 1960s and in service starting in 1971. The bomber has been used as recently as 2021 in the Syrian war.
This is a Dragon 1:700 scale model, so it is only about 55mm long. It came in kit #7006 with two submarines. There are 6 parts and 10 decals - all tiny or microscopic!
 |
| Tupolev Tu-22M2 Туполев Ту-22М2 maritime strike bomber of the Soviet Naval Aviation Fleet Авиация военно-морского флота, circa 1984 |
 |
| Tu-22M details sign at Central Air Force Museum in Monino, Moscow region. Центральный музей Вооруженных Сил Российской Федерации |
 |
| Tupolev Tu-22M2 Туполев Ту-22М2 maritime strike bomber |
 |
| Tupolev Tu-22M2 Туполев Ту-22М2 maritime strike bomber |
 |
| Tupolev Tu-22M2 Туполев Ту-22М2 maritime strike bomber with X-22 Kh-22 anti-ship heavy cruise missile |
 |
| Tupolev Tu-22M2 Туполев Ту-22М2 maritime strike bomber with X-22 Kh-22 anti-ship heavy cruise missile |
 |
| Tupolev Tu-22M Туполев Ту-22М2 bomber at the Central Air Force Museum, Monino, Moscow. Note the X-22 Kh-22 anti-ship heavy cruise missile on the ground. (author) Центральный музей Вооруженных Сил Российской Фед. |
 |
| Tupolev Tu-22M Туполев Ту-22М2 bomber at the Central Air Force Museum, Monino, Moscow. Note the X-22 Kh-22 anti-ship heavy cruise missile on the ground. (author) Центральный музей Вооруженных Сил Российской Фед. |
 |
| Tupolev Tu-22M2 Туполев Ту-22М2 maritime strike bomber |
