Small Scale Military Headquarters

The TU-160 was the major Soviet effort to counter America's "B" bombers and about 35 of these huge ( 190 foot wing span ) strategic bombers were in service when the Soviet Union broke up. Current estimates have about 15-20 TU-160s in operational use---or almost ready for same----and the plane remains an impressive offensive platform, with a max speed of Mach 2.05 at 40,000 feet and a range of 7,600 miles without refueling.

So far, only Model Power and the current DeAgostini series have attempted to replicate the TU-160 in diecast, but both chose the tiny 1:350-400 scale, which makes their models absurdly miniscule for my taste. The new Italeri line of mostly---but not always---1:100th scale jets also includes a TU-160, which is incorrectly listed as a 1:100th scale model by lazy----or dishonest---eBay sellers. Looking at the pictures, I determined that the Italeri rendition probably comes in at a wingspan of about 10 inches, which makes it a 1:225 bird. That's was big enough for me so I bought one.


The "diecast" model arrived today and it is a nicely detailed all-plastic piece, with the top and bottom halves simply glued together. As a result, there are no unsightly screw holes on the underside, however, my model came with quite a few glue smears where the two halves are joined. Naturally, Italeri's Chinese factory couldn't be bothered to paint in small windows, navigation lights, etc., so you get a pretty bland looking model. Here's a picture:

Naturally, I gave the model a wash to bring out its lines, stained it, painted in some windows, vents and lights and modified other areas. I also found that a bit of fine sanding, coupled with applications of paint thinner and some rubbing, eliminated all of the glue smears. Here's a picture of the TU-160 upgrade from the same angle as shown above:

Another angle:

And the underside:

That looks nice. The wash brings out the paneling.

Thought I saw this one offered in 1:200 scale, a misquote?

I've actually been looking into starting a 1:200 collection. There's some really cool offerings in that scale like the Dragon Flying Wing in both prop and jet versions, as well as some decent B-52's you don't have to spend a fortune on. Like the looks of the GE Fabbri Fairchild C-119 too, supposedly 1:200, and the russian flying boat you had up a little while back is 1:200 right?

This seems to be the scale that offers more cold war to modern bombers and transport aircraft too.

Some of the Gemini 200 series there's some really expensive ones though.

Don't think I would go too much smaller, gotta hold the scale line somewhere around 1:200.
That's what I said at 1:144, but beyond WWII there doesn't seem to be much else pre-built diecast in that scale.

The TU-160 measures out to roughly 1:225 the way they have posed the wings----which is close enough to 1:200th for me. The Beriev BE-12 is supposedly 1:200, but I haven't measured it to be sure. I, too, am eying the C-119, but it's Italian markings are an issue for me. I may get one and to a re-mark in USAF or USMC markings.

Wow, that impressive. Is the bay the place to look for this Italeri line?

Very nice. The model looks so much better now. Excellent work.

Thanks, guys. Yes, these are being sold on eBay right now. Remember that you can remove most of the glue smears by rubbing the area involved with paint thinner and, if needed, by gentle, fine sanding. I'd also recommend repainting the exhausts with the inner portions being a medium/dark metal color and the outer parts dark gray or black.

Dauntless wrote:That looks nice. The wash brings out the paneling.

Thought I saw this one offered in 1:200 scale, a misquote?

I've actually been looking into starting a 1:200 collection. There's some really cool offerings in that scale like the Dragon Flying Wing in both prop and jet versions, as well as some decent B-52's you don't have to spend a fortune on. Like the looks of the GE Fabbri Fairchild C-119 too, supposedly 1:200, and the russian flying boat you had up a little while back is 1:200 right?

This seems to be the scale that offers more cold war to modern bombers and transport aircraft too.

Some of the Gemini 200 series there's some really expensive ones though.

Don't think I would go too much smaller, gotta hold the scale line somewhere around 1:200.
That's what I said at 1:144, but beyond WWII there doesn't seem to be much else pre-built diecast in that scale.

There are some good 1/200 altaya models too such as the E-3 AWACS, the A-50, B-52, and C-17 like I've got, they also make an AC-130, B-2, C-97, And B-29, Model Power also makes 3 different C-130's in 1/200 and all are very inexpensive