The Sukhoi Su-35 (NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) Also known as Super Flanker, is a designation for two separate, heavily upgraded derivatives of the Su-27 'Flanker'. They are single-seat, twin-engine, supermaneuverable multirole fighters, designed by Sukhoi and built by Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association (KnAAPO).

The first variant was designed during the 1980s, when Sukhoi was seeking to upgrade its high-performance Su-27, and was initially known as the Su-27M. Later re-designated Su-35, this derivative incorporated aerodynamic refinements to increase maneuverability, enhanced avionics, longer range, and more powerful engines. The first Su-35 prototype, converted from a Su-27, made its maiden flight in June 1988. More than a dozen of these were built, some of which were used by the Russian Knights aerobatic demonstration team. The first Su-35 design was later modified into the Su-37, which possessed thrust vectoring engines and was used as a technology demonstrator. A sole Su-35UB two-seat trainer was built in the late 1990s that strongly resembled the Su-30MK family.

In 2003, Sukhoi embarked on a second modernization of the Su-27 to produce what the company calls a 4++ generation fighter that would bridge the gap between legacy fighters and the upcoming fifth generation Sukhoi PAK FA. This derivative, while omitting the canards and air brake, incorporates a reinforced airframe, improved avionics and radar, thrust-vectoring engines, and a reduced frontal radar signature. In 2008 the revamped variant, erroneously named the Su-35BM in the media, began its flight test program that would involve four prototypes, one of which was lost in 2009. The Russian Air Force has ordered 48 production units, designated Su-35S, of the newly revamped Su-35. Both Su-35 models marketed to many countries, including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, and South Korea, but so far have not attracted any export orders. Sukhoi originally projected that it would export more than 160 units of the second modernized Su-35 worldwide.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a Russian Sukhoi Su-35S "Flanker-E" multirole fighter that was deployed to Khmeimim Air Base, at Latakia, Syria, and participated in the Syrian Civil War during the 2010s. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 8-inches
Length: 12-inches

Release Date: March 2023

Historical Account: "Defending the Motherland" - The 11th Red Banner Air and Air Defence Forces Army is a formation of the Russian Air Force, located in the Russian Far East, whose zone of responsibility covers the Eastern Military District. The 11th Army Air Force and Air Defense Army was reformed within the Eastern Military District on August 14th, 2015.

The designation "11" for an aviation formation of this size in the Far East was introduced during the Second World War. In August 1942, the Air Forces of the 2nd Red Banner Army were re-designated the 11th Air Army. But this formation only last less than two and a half years, because in December 1944 the formation was reduced to the 18th Aviation Corps, which in June 1945 joined the 10th Air Army.

In April 1960, the designation "11" was taken up again by re-designation of the independent Far Eastern Air Defence Army. For decades thus the aviation forces in the area consisted of the 1st Air Army of the Air Forces, reformed on July 1st, 1957, by merger of two existing armies when the higher command arrangements in the Far East were reorganised, and the 11th Air Defence Army of the Soviet Air Defence Forces. In 1998, six years after the fall of the Soviet Union, the two were merged into the 11th Air and Air Defence Forces Army, covering the Far Eastern Military District. Russian Naval Aviation also handed over a regiment of Mikoyan MiG-31 interceptor aircraft on the Kamchatka Peninsula which was included in the new force.

The 11th Army of VVS and PVO was disbanded in 2009, by being re-designated the 3rd Air and Air Defence Forces Command. The army was reformed once again in 2015 from the command.