Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA5708
Su-35S Flanker E Red 04/RF-95241, Russian Air Force, September 2019
General Background
The Sukhoi Su-35S Flanker E is a highly modified and improved derivative of the Su-27. In the 1980s modifications were made to the Su-27 (Su-27M) also referred to as Su-35. About 20 years later a heavily modified member of the Flanker family was produced and given the title of Su-35S Flanker E. Considered by many to be the most capable fourth generation fighter in the sky and equipped with many fifth generation technologies. This probably will be the last of the Flanker family when the fifth generation Russian aircraft arrive.
The Aircraft
One of several Russian aerobatic teams is the “Falcons of Russia”. The team was formed in 2004 with flight crews chosen from personnel at the 4th Center for Combat Employment and Retraining of Personnel in Lipetsk. The true aerobatics are left to the Russian Knights and the Strizhi while the Falcons of Russia perform more tactical maneuvers. In 2019 from August 27th until September 1st the annual International air show MAKS 2019 was held Zhukovsky International Airport outside Moscow. Su-35 Flanker E Red 04/RF-95241 was one of the “Falcons of Russia” 4 Su-35s.
