SCALE MODEL NEWS

THE KAI T-50B GOLDEN EAGLE is a single-engine supersonic jet trainer, produced in South Korea. The T-50 is a handsome design, the looks of which are captured nicely to 1:48 scale by Academy Models. SMN report: Model maker David Damek gives us a close look at the Academy kit, with his detailed step-by-step video build. He has included some careful mods, including using hypodermic needles as sliding canopy supports. The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle is also used by the Singapore Air Force ( below ) so you have a choice of markings. David's work is painstakingly neat, and his video (below) is well worth watching. Amazon.co.uk Widgets

SMN report: Pre-orders are now being taken for the Revell 1:72 scale Sukhoi T-50 Stealth combat aircraft, with deliveries of the kit due to start on April 7, 2012. Moving jet nozzles Strictly speaking, we are looking at the PAK FA, which is the flying prototype for the production T-50, due to start rolling out of the factories from 2015. The handsome machine was shown off last August, at the 2011 Russian International Air Show, displaying advanced features that include electronically-controlled vectored engine nozzles, which adjust the angle of the jet exhausts to boost manoeuvrability and improve handling.  Radar-proofing Nano-tech surface materials are used, and Sukhoi claims these enable: “85 percent stealth success” whatever that means! Let’s just say the T-50 - being co-produced with India, incidentally - may be a worthy combat competitor for the current Top Gun, the US F-22 Raptor. Like the Raptor, the T-50 will house weapons internally, as ordnance hung under the wings and ...