W I M M E R

SCALE MODELER
Volume 8, Number 10, OCTOBER, 1973
3 pages, page 6, 7 and 9

Published by
CHALLENGE PUBLICATIONS; INC.

TU-144

Anfang 2009 bekam ich von meinem Hobbyfreund Don aus USA zwei Ausgaben der Zeitschrift SCALE MODELER von 1973. In diesen Ausgaben sind Artikel über KVZ/Plasticart Bausätze. Da wir diese Artikel für alle KVZ/Plasticart begeisterten für interessant halten, haben wir uns bei CHALLENGE PUBLICATIONS; INC., um die Erlaubnis zur Veröffentlichung bemüht. Im Juli 2009 bekam ich nun vom Verlag die Erlaubnis, diese auf unserer HP zu veröffentlichen. Wir bedanken uns dafür ganz herzlich beim Verleger Edwin A. Schnepf.

Besuchen Sie auch die HP von CHALLENGE PUBLICATIONS, INC.. Auch wenn es die Zeitschrift SCALE MODELER nicht mehr gibt, so werden nach wie vor sehr interessante Zeitschriften herausgegeben.

Wenn Ihnen weitere KVZ/Plasticart betreffende Artikel bekannt sind, würden wir uns über eine Nachricht sehr freuen. wimmerrichard@hotmail.com

Visit also the CHALLENGE PUBLICATIONS; INC. website.

A NEW AND EXCITING MODEL FROM BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN IS THE PROTOTYPE VARIANT OF THE RUSSIAN TU-144 SUPERSONIC AIRLINER IN 1/100th SCALE

BY  JORDAN  ROSS

6   scale modeler	Hohe Auflösung / High resolution	scale modeler   7

PARIS AIR SHOW     TUPOLEV TU-144 CHARGER

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6   scale modeler

This model represents the prototype of the TU-144 which is quite similar to the one that crashed at the Paris Air Show recently. The kit is manufactured by Modellbaukasten of Czecheslovakia. The model is molded in white plastic and all parts are cleanly molded.     The kit features over 54 parts and the fuselage measures almost 24 inches in length. The landing gear and other miscellaneous parts are molded in silver and the wheels are in black styrene.     An interesting Feature of the model is the multi-part landing gear assembly. The aircraft features no less than 26 wheels, and since each wheel has to be cleaned and painted one at a time, part of the building time is devoted to the landing gear. For those who like wheels, this is your model.		The instruction sheet is well illustrated wich drawings of all the parts. The text is multilingual, including instructions in English. All parts are individually numbered, allowing for easy identification.     The Tupolev TU-144 has been given the NATO name (“Charger”). It was known as early as 1965 that the Soviet Union was going to enter into the SST Race. A model of the TU-144 was shown at the Paris Air Show in 1965. The model showed many similar lines that were to be found on the Concorde SST.     The first test flight of the prototype of which this model kit represents occurred in December 1968,

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and became the first Super-Sonic Transport to complete an actual flight. Later, in May of 1970, the SST made its public debut at the Moscow Airport.     At the Paris Air Show in 1971 the Russian SST was shown to the Western world. The production plans of the aircraft were announced and		that the aircraft was to be placed in service as early as 1973 or 1974. This may now be delayed due to the tragic Crash at the Paris Air Show in June.     The model represents the first prototype of the TU-144 and is shown in the colors of Aeroflot as it appeared in 1970. On later models the

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Hohe Auflösung / High resolution

Hohe Auflösung / High resolution

forward windows were changed and the landing gear was moved inboard and retracted into the engine housings.   An added feature found on kits in this series is the tab arrangement on the wings. These tabs interlock inside the fuselage and give a great deal of added strength to the entire wing assembly.     The only filling and sanding required was on the fuselage joining line and where the wing and the fuselage met, but this was minor.     The main part of the fuselage and the “Droop-Snoot” are separate parts which allows the modeler to display the model in either Sub-Sonic or Super-Sonic configuration.     Our model in the article depicts the nose position as it would appear during landing or take off. The model was painted overall using Pactra Gloss White. The		nose cone and probe were painted with Pactra Anti-Glare Green. The anti-glare panel is painted Pactra Flat Black.     The four exhaust cones were painted Pactra Steel with a wash of flat black on the inside portions. The decals used are from the kit and caution must be taken with the decals as they are quite thin. The decals depict the colors of Aeroflot and carry the serial number CCCP-68001, which was found on the first prototype to fly.     As a final touch the entire model was given a light over spray of Micro Gloss. The transparencies are not of good quality and were left off the model. But the long decal strip for the fuselage sides has clear areas for each window section; so when placed in position you still haue a good clear and clean looking window and decal arrangement.

Hohe Auflösung / High resolution

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