Revell Tupolev Tu-95 “Bear” D 1:144

1 HN Ac kits Revell Tupolev Tu95 Bear D 1.144
Kit Ref: 04673
Price around: £16.99 GBP
Review by Geoff Coughlin (Dec 2014)

Our thanks to Revell for supplying our review sample. Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model stores. For details visit www.revell.de/en

A little bit of background

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 Soviet Union in 1956 and is expected to serve the Russian Air Force until at least 2040. A development of the bomber for maritime patrol is designated Tu-142, while a passenger airliner derivative was called Tu-114.

The aircraft has four Kuznetsov NK-12 engines, each driving contra-rotating propellers. It is the only propeller-powered strategic bomber still in operational use today. The tips of the propeller-blades move faster than the speed of sound, making it one of the noisiest military aircraft.[2] Its distinctive swept-back wings are at a 35° angle.

Photo: Courtesy RAF, shows a Russian Tu-95 Bear 'H' photographed from a RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert aircraft (QRA) with 6 Squadron from RAF Leuchars in Scotland. RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert aircraft were launched from RAF Leuchars to determine the identity of unknown aircraft that approached the NATO Air Policing Area north of Scotland and could not be identified by other means. The aircraft were subsequently identified as Russian military reconnaissance (Bears). The Russian Bears aircraft remained in international airspace as they are perfectly entitled to do — Photo: Courtesy RAF, shows a Russian Tu-95 Bear ‘H’ photographed from a RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert aircraft (QRA) with 6 Squadron from RAF Leuchars in Scotland.
RAF Typhoon Quick Reaction Alert aircraft were launched from RAF Leuchars to determine the identity of unknown aircraft that approached the NATO Air Policing Area north of Scotland and could not be identified by other means. The aircraft were subsequently identified as Russian military reconnaissance (Bears). The Russian Bears aircraft remained in international airspace as they are perfectly entitled to do

The Revell Kit

Here’s a brief summary of what’s included:

Detailed surfaces with engraved panel lines
Detailed engine nacelles
Rotating propellers
Detailed undercarriage
2 large radomes under the fuselage
3 machine gun positions
In-flight refuelling probe
Decal sets for two USSR Air Force versions.

Model length 35.4cm, model wingspan 35.3cm

The model is produced in silver plastic that’s not everyone’s cup of tea. The surface detail looks heavy, especially for the small 1.144 scale. Check out the photo of a real Tu-95 above and you’ll see that although there are metal panels in different shades, hardly any panel lines are visible. Personally, I think that the panel lines may prove too deep for many.

Other observations

Propellers – they are all moulded as one-piece assemblies and lack refinement – profile is slightly suspect as well, although I didn’t have very good references
Undercarriage legs and wheels – better, with the former well-tooled and detailed

Clear parts

The clear parts look clear although they are quite thick and will need to be carefully removed from their sprues

Instructions and decals

The Revell instructions follow their usual exploded stages format. Location of parts is clear but colour paint coding is for Revell paints only. You’ll have to match your own choice of paints if you go elsewhere for your choice of colour. The build sequence is pretty standard and logical but many modellers will part company with the stated order to suit their experience.

The decals look to be good quality – certainly good subject choice:

Geoff C.

SMN Quick summary Star rating out of 5

FEATURE	STAR RATING (out of five)
Quality of moulding	**
Accuracy	***
Level of detail	***
Instructions	***
Decals	****
Subject choice	****
Overall	***