TU-22M2 Backfire - B
Anti-Ship Missile Carrier

Litaki, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Graham Carter

Designed way back in the 1960s the Tupolev TU-22M Backfire is a supersonic, variable-sweep winged,  long-range strategic and maritime strike bomber. Various modifications have enabled it to remain in service with Soviet forces and the Ukraine until the present. Just under 500 were produced. 

(info from Wikipedia)

This is the third kit and first 1/144 scale one from this new Ukrainian company and arrived in a sturdy top-opening box with a very nice rendition of one of the decal choices, an example from the Ukrainian Navy.

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Thumbnail panels:

A great inclusion is a framable A4 card copy of the box lid for your collection. Inside are eleven dark grey sprues in several clear sleeves with foam strips to protect parts from scratching, as well as two 3D printed exhaust rings, a separate clear sprue, PE set consisting of a myriad missile fins, a set of masks and a small decal sheet.

Like those with the 1/72 kits the instruction booklet includes a nice welcoming note and an outline of the aircraft’s history and use. The A5 stapled booklet gives a part map, a paint table for Mr Color, MIG, AK Interactive and Tamiya colours, a weapons diagram, and 68 (!) construction steps. Each of these is clearly set out, well-drawn and with colour notes and hints. A great start for Litaki.

The parts are crisply moulded and do not have alignment holes or pins as this is a short-run kit. Surface detail is excellent for this scale, not too over-emphasised. The forward fuselage is split vertically while the rear, swing-wing section is split horizontally to allow for the moving wings mechanism.

The cockpit is adequate and uses decals for the instrument panels. Seats are simple and wheel wells are also fairly plain, again given the scale. The doors do have some moulded framework. The undercarriage is quite complex and modellers will have a bundle of fun getting all fourteen wheels to sit on the ground together. The 3D printed exhausts look great and are further embellished with PE interior rings.

Markings

The small decal sheet contains markings for three examples and are neatly printed and do not have any stencilling - thank heavens at this scale!

Each one is illustrated in colour on half of an A4 sheet to show colours. All are finished in grey over white.

They are:

1. Serial 5701 tail number 71 of the Ukrainian Naval forces before being scrapped in 2002,

2. Serial 5804,  tail number 73 of the Ukrainian Naval forces before being scrapped in 2004, and

3. ‘Red 70’ of the Soviet Naval forces before it crashed in late 1989 with the loss of all lives.

A mask sheet allows for the canopy panels and wheels to be sprayed cleanly.

This is a very competent rendition of this important Soviet aircraft and if this is your interest area and scale then it comes highly recommended.

Thanks to Litaki for the sample

Review Text & Images Copyright © 2025 by Graham Carter
Images Copyright © 2025 by Brett Green
Page Created 14 February, 2025
Last updated 14 February, 2025

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