1/72 Petlyakov PE-8 Soviet Bomber

A very impressive kit of Russia's largest World War II bomber, the PE-8. Developed in the late 1930s, the type is a good example of bomber aircraft design of the period, being large, bristling with turrets, and, for the time, reasonably fast (about 400 km [240 miles] per hour top speed). And did we mention large? Even in 1/72 scale, the model builds up to a 54cm (21 inch) wingspan and 32cm (12.5 inch) length. It is also highly detailed, with full flight deck, bomb bay, landing gear wells, and turret interiors. Eight crew figures are included, plus a very large bomb and optional boarding ladder. Entry hatch, landing gear, and bomb bay can all be assembled in either the open/extended or closed/retracted positions. Decals are for one aircraft, "4" of Aviation Regiment 746.