The SSJ-100 (ICAO code SU95) is Russia's answer to the regional jet, first flown in 2008 and slowly entering service. Like most modern airliners in the Russian fleet, the SSJ was developed in the era of globalization and thus relies heavily on European components. With the sanctions imposed on Russia following their invasion of Ukraine, Sukhoi and the Russian government are pursuing a Russified version without western components to replenish their rapidly depleting airliner fleet.
Aeroflot Flight 1492 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Moscow–Sheremetyevo (SVO/UUEE) to Murmansk, Russia (MMK/ULMM), operated by Aeroflot's RA-89098. On 5 May 2019, the aircraft was climbing out when it was struck by lightning. The aircraft suffered an electrical failure and the flight crew opted to return to Sheremetyevo for an emergency landing. The crew made a hard landing, making contact with all three landing gear legs, and causing the aircraft to bounce back into the air. The second landing was nose-first, with a vertical load of 5.85 g and the aircraft bounced again. The third landing was hard enough to collapse the main mounts which penetrated the wings and ruptured the fuel tanks, resulting in a large fireball sliding down the runway.
The aircraft came to a rest and the crew ordered an evacuation, but the fire and resulting delays killed 41 of the 78 souls on board. The rear half of the aircraft was consumed by the fire, which was extinguished about 45 minutes after landing
This kit is a small tribute to those souls lost and the loved ones that grieve their loss. May they rest in peace.
The windows were taped with High-temp polyimide tape with silicon adhesive (Kapton?) and filled with 2-Part Crystal Clear Casting resin, both fairly inexpensive on Amazon. Paints are Tamiya acrylics, primarily X32 "Titanium Silver" and X3 "Royal Blue", with the red trim done in a home blend of X6 Orange and X7 Red. The kit is mounted with a 6 degree ANU pitch angle on a homemade stand.
I highly recommend this kit for lovers of commercial air. It is inexpensive, goes together like a dream, and looks like a jet!
