Anigrand 1/144 Myasishchev Bison B/C

In 1946, the USAF launched a program of the B-52 Stratofortress long-range bomber capable of carrying out the strategic mission. The USSR was therefore prompted to maintain the strategic balance. A requirement for the development of an intercontinental bomber with a strike capability inside US-territory was issued to Myasishchev bureau. Myasishchev introduced the M-4 design which initially impressed Soviet officials. The M-4 made its first flight in 1952, it was proved that the bomber would never able to meet expectations because of the inadequacies of the engines available at the time. Specifically it lacked the range required due to the high fuel consumption if its turbojet engines.

The M-4 prototype was first displayed to the public in 1954. It received the NATO codename, Bison. To remedy the insufficient range problem, a modified bomber M-6 / 3M Bison-B was created in 1955, and soon the 3MD Bison-C was developed in 1960. Despite numerous improvements in engines and avionics continuing throughout the 1960s, the Bison still failed to emerge as a superior bomber and was eventually relegated to second-hand combat duties. Production ceased in 1963 after a total of 93 had been built. The last of the bombers were withdrawn from service by the late 1980s.

Anigrand certainly wants to be your 'Big planes in 1/144' company and adds to their already impressive collection of big planes with this one of the Bison. Hard to believe that fewer than 100 of these were built as they have certainly left an impression on most of us. The kit is molded in the usual tan resin with the usual molding glitches, though not in excess and generally easy to clean. I did notice a lot more mold shift issues with this one and I also found that most of the very thin axles on the main gear had been broken off in shipping. These can be replaced by wire of the proper diameter. The image of the parts you see is from Anigrand so of course, the parts are pristine. It also shows you what you can expect in terms of complexity.

The Bison has the entire upper and half of the lower wing molded as one piece with the rest of the lower wing molded separately. This allows the engine intakes and exhaust to be installed, but does result in a very long intake seam that will be tricky to fill. You notice that the cockpit section is molded in with the fuselage halves. The very large clear piece then goes over this and your nose cone of choice is cemented to the clear bit. Depending on the nose piece you choose, you can do the Bison B or the later Bison C variant. Thanks to the bicycle landing gear, no nose weight should be needed.

Typical of their 1/144 kits, you get three other smaller kits in the mix. One is the Tysbin LL-3 a rocket powered interceptor. Second is the Yak-28-64 which is an upgraded standard Yak-28 with a new fuselage that incorporates the engines on the fuselage instead of podded under the wings. The third is a rather rare Yak-27K interceptor. All those aircraft with missiles have them molded along with the pylons as one piece. All of these smaller planes are either tail wheel types or have bicycle landing gear making no need for nose weight.

Instructions are the standard two exploded views per aircraft with color markings diagram. These are all either unpainted metal or overall grey. Markings are provided as needed with two each of the decals shown above. Anigrand decals work quite well, though are loathe to succumb to setting solutions so will not snuggle down into the engraved panel lines without a lot of work.  

Aside from the really ancient Revell 'IL-38 Bison' which is a model of the prototype, this is the only available Bison kit around. It is a must have for the Russian bomber fan or those who just want a goodly collection of strategic bombers.

The Nostalgic Plastic web site

December 2009

Thanks to www.nostalgicplastic.com  for the preview kit. Get yours today and pay no shipping in the US or Canada.

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