{"product_id":"zvezda-plastic-model-kit-kamov-ka-50sh-night-hunter-1-72","title":"Zvezda Plastic Model Kit Kamov Ka-50Sh Night Hunter — 1:72","description":"\u003cp\u003eManufacturer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eZvezda is a Russian scale-model manufacturer established in the Soviet\/Russian model-making industry and known for plastic aircraft, helicopters, military vehicles, ships and figures. Kit 7272 was added to specialist catalogues in 2005, making it an older Zvezda 1:72 helicopter tooling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe subject is the Kamov Ka-50Sh, an unusual development of the Ka-50 attack helicopter. The Ka-50 family is particularly recognisable for its coaxial contra-rotating main rotors, absence of a conventional tail rotor and heavily armoured single-seat configuration.\n\u003cbr\u003eKit contents\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Zvezda kit contains approximately 157 parts. A Russian retailer specifies 157 components and a finished model length of approximately 21 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Fuselage and central helicopter body\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Coaxial main-rotor assemblies\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Rotor-head components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Detailed cockpit\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Pilot's position and instrument panel\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Canopy\/transparent parts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine and transmission fairings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Stub wings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Weapon pylons\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    External stores\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Landing gear\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Tail and rear fuselage components\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Decals\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Assembly instructions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe finished model is approximately 205–210 mm long, depending on the measurement reference. Specialist catalogues give 20.5 cm, while the retail description gives approximately 21 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a conventional glue-and-paint plastic kit rather than a pre-painted model; paint and adhesive are not included.\n\u003cbr\u003eHistory of the full-size aircraft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Kamov Ka-50 was developed in the Soviet Union as a highly specialised attack helicopter. It originated from the Kamov design bureau's work on a new generation of battlefield helicopters during the late Cold War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ka-50's most obvious departure from conventional helicopter design was its coaxial rotor system. Two main rotors rotate in opposite directions around the same axis, eliminating the need for a conventional tail rotor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis arrangement provides several advantages, including a compact footprint and the ability to generate substantial lift without the tail rotor and its associated transmission system.\n\u003cbr\u003eThe Ka-50 design\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ka-50 was designed as a heavily armed attack helicopter with a strong emphasis on survivability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike the conventional two-seat attack-helicopter arrangement used by aircraft such as the Mi-24 and later Ka-52, the original Ka-50 placed a single pilot in an armoured cockpit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe airframe incorporated armour protection around the cockpit and vital systems, while the coaxial rotor arrangement provided good manoeuvrability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe helicopter's compact configuration also made it relatively easy to operate in confined areas compared with a conventional tail-rotor helicopter.\n\u003cbr\u003eArmament\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ka-50 was equipped with a powerful fixed 30 mm cannon mounted on the right side of the fuselage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike many attack helicopters that use a flexible gun turret, the Ka-50's cannon was fixed. The helicopter could therefore use its manoeuvrability to aim the weapon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe stub wings carried multiple weapon stations capable of carrying combinations of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Anti-tank guided missiles\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Rocket pods\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Bombs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Other external stores\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe exact weapons fit varied according to mission and version.\n\u003cbr\u003eKa-50Sh development\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ka-50Sh was a proposed\/night-operation development of the Ka-50.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt incorporated equipment intended to improve the helicopter's capability in darkness and adverse visibility. The most noticeable external change was the prominent electro-optical\/night-vision equipment associated with the nose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ka-50Sh is therefore visually different from a standard Ka-50, which is why the subject makes a particularly interesting modelling choice.\n\u003cbr\u003eCoaxial rotors\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ka-50's rotor arrangement is one of the most technically distinctive features of the aircraft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTwo rotors rotate in opposite directions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    One rotor rotates clockwise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    The other rotates counter-clockwise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe opposing rotational forces cancel one another, eliminating the requirement for a tail rotor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis allows the engine power that would otherwise be required to drive a tail rotor to be used for lift and propulsion while also giving the aircraft a compact overall configuration.\n\u003cbr\u003ePerformance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRepresentative specifications for the Ka-50 family include:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Crew: 1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Engine: 2 × Klimov TV3-117 series turboshaft engines\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Main rotor: Coaxial contra-rotating system\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Cannon: 1 × 30 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Maximum speed: approximately 300 km\/h\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Cruising speed: approximately 260 km\/h\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Combat role: Attack helicopter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Primary mission: Anti-armour and battlefield attack\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExact specifications vary between Ka-50 variants and published sources.\n\u003cbr\u003eOperational development\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ka-50 entered Soviet\/Russian service in limited numbers during the 1990s. The end of the Soviet Union affected procurement and development programmes, and the aircraft did not achieve the large-scale production originally envisaged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ka-50 nevertheless became an important demonstration of Kamov's approach to attack-helicopter design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIts single-seat arrangement and advanced avionics were particularly ambitious for the period.\n\u003cbr\u003eKa-52 connection\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ka-50's development eventually led to the Ka-52, a two-seat derivative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ka-52 retained the Ka-50's characteristic coaxial rotor system but introduced a side-by-side cockpit for two crew members.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis arrangement provided greater flexibility for reconnaissance, targeting and weapons employment and ultimately became more significant in Russian helicopter aviation than the original single-seat Ka-50.\n\u003cbr\u003eHistorical significance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ka-50 is significant in helicopter history because it combined several unusual features in one aircraft:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Single-seat attack helicopter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Coaxial contra-rotating rotors\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Heavy armour protection\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Fixed 30 mm cannon\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    High-speed manoeuvrability\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Ejection-seat system\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e    Advanced battlefield avionics\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ka-50Sh adds another interesting element because it represents the effort to adapt the aircraft for effective night operations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Zvezda","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57504170312060,"sku":"Zvezda-7272","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/sussex-model-centre.co.uk\/products\/zvezda-plastic-model-kit-kamov-ka-50sh-night-hunter-1-72","provider":"Sussex Model Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}