ACE CORPORATION PLASTIC HOBBY MODEL KIT 1/144 SUCHOJ S-37 BERKUT

Still shrouded in much secrecy following its development by the Russian Sukhoi design bureau, the revolutionary S-37 berkut(Golden Eagle) first flew on 25 September 1997 from the Gromov flight test centure at Zhukovsky, near Moscow. For many years, there have been several concept models and some aircraft built with forward swept wings (FSW) - examples being the experimental Smerican Grumman X-29 and the production German HFB 320 Hansa Jet - the basis for all of these designs originating with German research during World War Two. At the end of the war the Soviet captured the prototype Junkers Ju287, a four - engined jet bomber with FSW. Following modification, this aircraft flew in 1948 as the EF 131, and was later modified into the EF 140 : the Russians also developed the Tsybin LL-3 rocket powered FSW project. News of the existence of the S-37 (originally S-32) project first became known in 1993 with an announcement design with FSW was being developed for Sukhoi : little more was known until the S-37 appeared and even now many details of its complex design remain secret. The FSW jas several advantages over the conventional seept wing, especially at transonic speeds, for aircraft operating in the air combat role : wing torsional stiffness is markedly increased especially with the use of composite materials, while drag factors, manoeuvrability, landing and take off performances can all be improved. The berkut prototype was founded by Sukhoi and makes use of several of their existing component parts from other types, including the undercarriged of the Su.27K : it is powered by two Aviadvigatel D-30F6 turbojets each rated at 93.2kn(9.509kg/20,956 lbs) dry thrust and 152kn (15,503kg/34,177) with afterburners. Detailed performance figures have not been released but maximum speed is estimated to be about 1,400km/h (870mph) at see level and 2,200 km/h (1,367mph) at altitude. The S-37 Berkut is a proof-of-concept prototype and its future development status is presently incertain : two factors which may affect this are a possible lack of funding and major differences between the interested civil and military procurement authorities.

Wing span  : 16.70m (54ft 10in.)
Length        : 22.60m (74ft 2.6in.)
Height        : 6.40m (21ft)

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