¹⁄144

Anigrands Craftworks January release is a Soviet supersonic bomber, the Sukhoi T-4 Sotka in 1/144th scale.

The kit
Scale - 1/144th
Item No - AA-4094
Pieces - 138 resin parts +
clear resin canopies, and decals
Span - 100 mm
Length - 286 mm

About the aircraft
In 1963, the Soviet government issues a requirement for developing an aircraft analogous to the North American XB-70 Valkyrie. Sukhoi, Tupolev and Yakovlev competed with the T-4, Tu-135 and Yak-33. The Sukhoi design, with its high cruise speed of 3,200 km/h was favored over the other two designs. In 1964, the building of a prototype was authorized. The first T-4, designated "101", first flew in 1972. Testing continued to 1974. The T-4 flew only ten times for a total 10 hours and 20 minutes. It is believed to have reached at least Mach 1.3 at an altitude of 12,000 meters. Construction on the second T-4 aircraft ¡§102¡¨ began in 1969 and completed in 1973. The first flight for 102 was scheduled for the end of 1973. In the end, the Soviet Air Force decided to go with an improved version of the TU-22 Blinder, which became the TU-22M Backfire. It was felt that a modification of the Blinder was easier to do than to build a new T-4 aircaft. The project was abandoned.