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 WIP is here :-

 

Some pics of the finished model........

 

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The contraprops came from an old Contrail vacform Tu-95, the number 21 was painted on using a cutout mask and the eagle emblem was

made by a friend who scaled up the Revell 1/144 A-90 kit decal.

 

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My 1/72 scale Orlyonok at speed across my lounge carpet...

 

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Closeup of the cockpit glazing - note the rear view mirrors and simple 'artificial horizon'.

 

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The rough red outline is deliberate!

 

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Note the large anti-spray strakes...

 

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Scratchbuilt gun turret with 12.7mm barrels from suitable tubing.

 

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Rear engine and contraprops - note the APU exhaust and Russian Navy flag.

 

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NK-12MK turboprop showing the 'pen nib' exhaust fairing.

 

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Sequence showing the nose opening.....

 

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Note the cruise engine exhaust nozzle - note that I have got it wrong - it should be narrower to allow it to pivot to direct the thrust

under the wings for takeoff and straight back for cruise.

 

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Almost fully open - note the front hydroski with its beaching wheel.....

 

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Loading ramps extended...

 

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The BTR-80 is a crude limited-run injection-moulded kit that I picked up in Moscow many years ago - long before the current crop of decent kits.

 

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Closeup of the sideways-opening nose...

 

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On display at Scalemodelworld 2014 - next to my Modelsvit An-124 and Flankers - to show scale.

 

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Closer view from Telford...

 

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The model was made long before I photgraphed the real thing - now on display on Khimki reservoir in Moscow...

 

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After being floated upriver on the Volga from Kasspiisk on the Caspian Sea, the A-90 'Orlyonok' ekranoplan - number 26 - is being

prepared for display at Khimki reservoir in 2007.
Note the cruise ships at the Moscow North River Terminal in the background.

 

I'll post more of my pics later...

 

Ken

Edited by Flankerman
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I have never found clear evidence that the A-90 could be 'flown off' the An-225 - in other words, could the A-90 fly out of ground effect???

 

Delivering the A-90 (configured in its 'flying rescue' / Spasatel guise) to an airport near to where it was needed by the An-225 - and then unloading it and getting it to the nearest water seems overly complicated.

 

You would need a massive crane at least at the destination airfield :analintruder:

 

That's why I suspect that it would be flown off the An-225 - and then fly conventionally in 'aeroplane mode' - before 'landing' on the water and assuming its WIG/Ekranoplan flight.

 

Fascinating all round...

 

Ken

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Now this is impressive and for it to be scratch built makes it even more impressive.  Your efforts, dedication, and skill level produced a unique and rarely seen subject.  It belongs in a museum.  :clap2:

 

I am not worthy!!!! :worthy:

Mike

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Oh golly that is one of the coolest things I've seen in a long time! It's like the illegitimate offspring of a top secret Soviet project and Thunderbird 2! Loving the armoured vehicle driving out. Fantastic work, hats off to you sir.

Edited by Aces High
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Extraordinary! What a beast - congrats on a masterclass build.

 

It can be hard to justify scratch building when there are so many nice kits out there, but this was a scratch-built model than definitely needed to be made!

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