Litaki 1/144 Tu-22M3 Backfire-C
By Matt Bittner
Overview
The Tupolev Tu-22M3 differed from the Tu-22M2 by having more powerful NK-25 engines; a revised tail-turret; wedge-shaped intake ramps; provision for an internal rotary-launcher; wings with a greater sweep; and a recontoured nose which housed a new radar.
We have already provided a First Look on the Litaki 1/144 Tu-22M2 so look to that article first while I mention the differences in the kit.
The Kit
Litaki's second 1/144 subject continues the Backfire line, this time with the Backfire-C. The kit comes with 242 plastic parts featuring recessed panel lines throughout, a decal sheet with three options, and vinyl masks for the canopy and wheels. The kit also comes with 3D printed parts for the exhausts and FAB-250 iron bombs, and a photoetch fret with a lot of parts. A lot.
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Litaki does provide all the correct parts to make this a Backfire-C, from the nose, to the intakes, etc. This time around they include 3D printed iron bombs so you don't have to add all those photoetch fins to all those plastic bombs - unless you want to. They still exist on the sprue so if you're dedicated enough (e.g. "masochistic"), you can mount all those fins on all those plastic bombs. But know that you don't have to. You'll still need to add whatever photoetch is needed to the other weapons, such as the Kitchen cruise missiles, etc.
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The decals provide three Ukrainian options and all are finished in the same color scheme of white and gray, with small red or blue numbers on the vertical fin. The decals are nicely printed with good color density and excellent registry.
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Both of Litaki's Backfires won't be the easiest to assemble. For example, the intakes are broken into five separate pieces; there are ten pieces to add for the main gear-wells before any other construction can continue in that area; the nose landing gear consists of four pieces while each main landing gear consists of ten pieces; each wheel is split in half; etc. It's best to read our prior review to get a sense of all that's involved. But even if it is a complicated build, it is better detailed and far more accurate than the Academy/Minicraft kit. You can consider the Litaki Backfires the best in 1/144.
Conclusion
As with the Tu-22M2, this is also complex kit, but a very welcome one, as it is leaps and bounds better than the ancient Minicraft kit. My thanks to Litaki for the review sample.