The Tupolev Tu-2 (Development names ANT-58 and 103, NATO reporting name: Bat) was a twin-engine Soviet (high) speed daylight bomber (SDB) front line bomber (FB) aircraft of World War II vintage. The Tu-2 was tailored to meet a requirement for a high speed bomber or dive-bomber, with a large internal bomb load, and speed similar to that of a single seat fighter. Designed to challenge the German Junkers Ju 88, the Tu-2 proved comparable, and was produced in torpedo, interceptor and reconnaissance versions.
The Tu-2 was one of the outstanding combat aircraft of World War II, and, although it did not enter service until 1944, it played a key role in the Red Army’s final offensives.
This is the 1/48th scale Soviet Tu-2T from XT Models. The kit is comprised of 278 parts in 6 light gray sprues and 1 clear. The parts are very clean and free of flash of bothersome molding lines. The clear parts have the right thickness including the frames which are not overly exaggerated neither too thin or shallow.
The kit comes with very nice surface detail not overly done if you ask me. There are parts supplied to build 2 nice engines. The parts for the interior detail is very good. I noticed some ejection pin marks inside the fuselage halves. These pin marks are in areas that will barely seen but they are there and worth mentioning. See the pictures provided below.
The decal sheet has an almost invisible carrier film with marking for 6 versions as follow:
- Soviet Black Sea Fleet 1949
- Soviet Pacific Fleet, November 1946
- Bomber Group, Chinese Air Force, 1954
- Polish Naval Aviation, 1952
- Korean War, Air Force of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army, November 1951
- Bulgarian Air Force, 28 Regiment Torpedo Bomber Group early 1950
At first glance out of the box, seems like a very nice kit to my eyes. How well will those 278 parts go together?
That’s a whole different story, so expect a build review soon.
My most sincere thanks to Red Frog Hobbies for providing us with this copy.
Also Available from XT Models:
- 1/48 Tu2VS Soviet Tactical Bomber
Item Number:Â XTL-048001
-
1/48 Tu2S Soviet Medium Bomber
Item Number:Â XTL-048002
Available at Red Frog Hobbies after the link.
