Italeri Tu-22M Backfire C

It's not a fantastic kit, but there were three versions of the Tu-22M - the M1, M2 and M3, all significantly different - I believe the Italeri kit is an M3, so make sure your reference pictures are of the right varient!

As is well-known, the kit has more than its share of problems due mainly to very little data available to ESCI on the real thing. I was hoping at least that Italeri would add the correct nose radome to the re-released kit. The best info I've seen regarding this kit is here:

I'd sure like to see a new-tool kit come along. Good luck with your project!

I made this kit (the Tu-22M2 version) many years ago when it first came out.

I have been meaning to do the Tu-22M3 - correcting it as I went - for some time, so this thread has inspired me to have a go.

I have some good drawings - from an old copy of a Russian magazine - so I got a friend to scale them up on his photocopier to 1:72 scale ..........

Comparing the Esci kit (mine is an old kit stashed away) with the drawings reveals that some major surgery is required to make an accurate Backfire.

I have already started chopping and cutting - here's what I have done so far.

The wings are 10mm too far forward - so I have removed the wing fixed glove portion from the lower rear fuselage section. I will have to re-attach them mounted further back later.

The fuselage is 4mm too deep at the point where the front and rear sections join - it is OK at the jetpipes - so I removed a wedge-shaped section 4mm deep at the front, tapering to zero at the stabiliser. When the top and bottom rear halves are joined, this takes care of the fuselage depth.

I have also had to remove a corresponding section from the front fuselage

- by cutting the front part in half - top and bottom - and removing plastic to reduce the height.

The shape of the canopy opening is incorrect - it has a sloping rear in side profile.

I will have to insert a 10mm plug between the front and rear halves before they are joined - and add about 25mm and totally reshape the radome.

I will probably have to scratch-build new intakes - I don't think I can use the kit items - they are way too deep and the top surface should slope down.

The good news is that the fin, wings and stabilisers are OK !!

I am taking photos - and making notes - as I go along, so I'll write it all up and let you know the results.

Of course as soon as I have finished this major conversion, Trumpeter or Amodel will release an accurate model of a Backfire !!!!

I have just posted some pics to abms showing progress with the Esci Backfire.

I have managed to use the kit intakes - suitably cut down.

I'm off now to do some major sanding.............

Ken - You, sir are a brave soul! those kits might be too much work for me! I've got both Backfire-B and -C kits and they may continue to collect dust while I wait for something better to come along.

I'd like to ask you - is the old ESCI Blinder kit just as bad? Thanks...

Patrick

The ESCI (Italeri) kits of both Backfire and Blinder need some reworking. Check out more details at: