Takom has forged a reputation for releasing kits of unusual subjects. Here, Andy Davies tackles the Chinese firm’s 1/144 depiction of the imposing Lun-class Ekranoplan.
Designed by Rostislav Alekseyev in 1975, the Lun-class Ekranoplan (Lun is Russian for a harrier bird of prey) was a wing in ground effect (WIG) vehicle. Although it was never used in combat, the Soviet and Russian Navies operated the type from 1987 until the late 1990s. It flew via lift generated by the ground effect formed by its large wings when approximately 4m above the surface of water. The Lun was powered by eight Kuznetsov NK-87 turbofans mounted on canards and utilising vectored nozzles – it could reach a top speed of 340mph. Manned by a crew of 15, six officers and nine midshipmen, it could spend up to five days at sea without resupply.
Above: Modular fuselage parts appeared crisply moulded with excellent surface detail; the fit also proved superb, resulting in neat joins.
