2022 Ukraine forces in 1/72 scale model kits (Part II: Air Force)

Ukraine Air Force is not so large either complex as the ground forces. All the Fighters or Attack aircrafts are solely based on ex-Soviet Union Aircrafts as well as attack helicopters. On the transport or other roles we can find a bit more of diversity, including Ukrainian produced Antonov aircrafts.

Summary

Combat Aircraft
Reconnaissance & Trainers
UAV
  • RQ-11 Raven
  • Bayraktar TB2
Transport Aircraft
Helicopters

Combat Aircraft

MiG-29

MiG-29 is an air superiority fighter aircraft, or multi-role fighter aircraft in their latest updates, introduced in service in the early 80s.

Ukraine inherited a number of MiG-29s after Soviet Union collapse, being the first fighter aircraft of the Ukrainian forces in both numbers and capabilities. Most probably, is they have the MiG-29S (Object 9.13) or upgraded variants of the S series and the two seat trainer version (MiG-29UB Object 9.51). Later Ukraine upgraded at their own to the MiG-29MU1 standard for which no kit has been created (we lack of information about if this upgrades introduces visual differences).

MiG-29 is a not bad covered subject in 1/72 scale, both S and UB variants are available from several brands and some of them already includes Ukrainian markings.

Su-24

Su-24 is an all-weather Soviet attack aircraft introduced in the mid 70s. Ukraine retained over 100 of this type aircrafts after Soviet Union collapse but just around 20 or less may remain operative.

Not many brands show interest for this aircraft in 1/72 scale, Dragon in the 90s and Trumpeter later between them. The Dragon kit was also the base for Revell, Italeri and Zvezda releases through upgrades. Without confirmation of which variants remain operative, at the time of write this with Zvezda banned of this site, only the Trumpeter kits are available.

Su-25

The Sukhoi Su-25 Grach (NATO reporting name Frogfoot) is a subsonic attack/close support Soviet aircraft introduced in the late 70s. Ukraine retained a number of them after Soviet Union, Su-25UBs and Su-25UTGs variants, and later upgraded some of them as Su-25M1 and Su-25UBM1.

Most of the kits created for the Su-25 in 1/72 scale are pre-2000 and not listed in our site. Also the Zvezda entry is currently banned from the site. This limit the number of kits availables for this type of aircraft. The Smer and Mistercraft are releases of the older Kopro/KP kits (Many other brands reused this moulds), another line for the topic was started by HobbyCraft in the 90s and also re-released under many different brands and one more line started by ACE Hobby Kit also re-released by Revell amongst other brands. In between the latest tooled moulds for this aircraft, Art Models is our option:

Su-27

The Sukhoi Su-27 is a Soviet multirole/air superiority fighter aircraft introduced in service in 1985. Ukraine retained some after Soviet Union collapse, several losses has been confirmed during the conflict (at least 3). In the types operated we can found Su-27UB (two seat trainer), Su-27UP (two seat to provide tactical data to fighters), Su-27S (Initial single seat production) and Su-27P (standard version lke S but without air-to-ground weapons control system), later self upgraded by Ukraine and redesigned with M1 prefix, Su-27UB1M, Su-27UP1M, Su-27S1M and Su-27P1M.

A well number of brands has paid attention to the Sukhoi Su-27 in 1/72 scale and between them there are some specific matching versions to choose from, since most of the brands modelled the later Su-33 and Su-35 develops.

Transport Aircraft

An-26

Only AModel has released kits in 1/72 scale for the Antonov An-26 transport aircraft. Is not confirmed if the Ukrainian retained aircrafts are in airworthy condition.

An-70

Maybe one of the two prototypes of this type of aircraft would be operative in airworthy condition but it’s not confirmed. There is no kits in 1/72 scale for it.

An-72

TOKO produced kits in 1/72 scale for the Antonov An-74, same models were later reissued by Eastern Express also as An-72, the An-74 is considered a variant of the An-72.

An-74

Only TOKO has produced kits in 1/72 scale for the Antonov An-74, same models were later reissued by Eastern Express.

An-178

Still no models have been made for the Antonov An-178, a project currently in production that maybe will be lost during the war.

IL-76

The Ilyushin Il-76 is a Soviet transport (Strategic and tactical airlifter) aircraft in service since mid 70s. Only Amodel showed interest for this aircraft in 1/72 scale, but the earlier IL-76 kits are out of production, and we only list the Il-78 version (Aerial refuelling tanker) is listed in our site. Amodel – 72033 – Ilyushin Il-78

An-225

The destruction of the single existing Antonov An-225 Mriya, the heaviest aircraft ever built and largest wingspan of any aircraft in operational service, will fill (already did) lot of news from the aircraft fans sites. After days of speculations it’s confirmed that the aircraft is severely damaged, most probably to a not recoverable status.

This unique aircraft, caught the attention of Modelsvit (an Ukrainian manufacturer) who created the biggest 1/72 scale kit as far as we know till now, Modelsvit – 7206 – An-225 “Mriya” Superheavy transporter. Sadly the kit is no longer available, and probably it will never will be available again, just as the real thing.

Reconnaissance & Trainers

Antonov An-30

The Antonov An-30 (NATO reporting name Clank) is a reconnaissance and transport aircraft developed in the late 60s. The only manufacturer who has done the An-30 in 1/72 scale is Amodel, with 3 references released. Ukraine may retain 2 operative aircrafts of this type, but it’s unconfirmed.

Aero L-39

Aero L-39 Albatros is an advanced jet trainer aircraft, developed in Czechoslovakia during late 60s that remains operative but no longer in production. In the 1/72 scale it has been covered by several brands, like Kopro (KP) and later reissued by many other brands as many of the early KP models. In our case, only currently listing one of the last issues of the Eduard kit, Eduard – 7418 – L-39C.

UAV (Unmanned aerial vehicle)

RQ-11 Raven

At the time of write this, no single model in 1/72 scale is available for U.S. AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven drone.

Bayraktar TB2

At the time of write this, no single model in 1/72 scale is available for the famous Turkish drone.

Helicopters

Mil Mi-8

The Soviet Mil Mi-8 is a medium transport helicopter still produced in Russia and in service over 60 years after its first flight in the early 60s, although not entered in service till 1967. Ukraine operates Mi-8MSB or Mi-8MSB-V. These upgrades may come from past Mi-8T, Mi-8MT or Mi-8TV (armed version) variants and some of these are available in the Mi-8 1/72 scale list, including the for every budget Smer or Mistercraft, which comes from the original KP (Kopro) moulds which also were released by Revell. Our recommendation goes for:

Mil Mi-24

The Mil Mi-24 is an iconic Soviet attack/gunship helicopter widely produced (over 2600 units) and exported, which remains in service and production for over 50 years, after introduction in 1972. Together with most of the ex Soviet Union countries, over 50 countries operates the type as per 2022. Ukraine retained a number of them in several different variants such Mi-24VP (machine gun upgrade of V series), Mi-24V (the most produced series), Mi-24P (gunship variant with a fixed side-mounted 30mm autocannon), Mi-24RKhR (reconnaissance model specialized to collect radiation, biological or chemical samples for WMD detection) or Mi-24PU-1 and after 2014 more units has been restored from storage and bringed back to service.

Several scale models brand had interest enough to produce the Mil Mi-24 in 1/72 scale, the list includes several of the major manufacturers, and together with more recent Russian upgrades, the V (NATO name Hind-E) and P (NATO name Hind-F) versions are available. The Hind-D kits (Mil Mi-24D) can be also used as base for the V variant, but may require more work.

Mil Mi-2

The Mil Mi-2 is a Soviet transport helicopter introduced in the 60s, and later upgraded also to act as a gunship or Attack helicopter. Ukrainian army still keeps some in airworthy condition, and some upgraded to a Mi-2MSB-V or MSB-2MO standard, fitted rocket and machine gun pods as well as anti MANPANDS flares and new engine. Any of this late variants is available as 1/72 scale kit and without more information about the Ukrainian operated variants our recommendation would be for classic transport variant such the Hobby Boss – 87241 – Mi-2T Hoplite or any other T version. You can check the Mil Mi-2 model kits list.

Mil Mi-26

Seems that all the Mi-26 helicopters that Ukraine retained are in storage and not in airworthy conditions.

Airbus H225

The list of 1/72 scale models for the Airbus H225 (better known as Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma) is far short, and in fact, based in the only Heller kit, so our only recommendation goes for this kit. These helicopters are not operated by the Ukrainian army but by the National Guard. In the past also Italeri tooled their own Super Puma, also released by Revell, but these kits are largely out of production, as well as many of the past Heller issues.

*As always Wikipedia is a great source of knowledge, for example the Ukrainian Air Force page. For the National Guard aircraft resources, check their wiki page. The helicopters list, mainly comes from the Ukrainian Ground Forces page.

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