Tupolev Tu-2 'Bat' - ICM

During the beginning of the 50's, Hungary received 35 war-worn and tired Tu-2's from Stalin as tactical bombers. Tu-2 had the NATO code name "Bat", but in Hungary they were instead called "Túzok", meaning "bustard" (the bird). This name was a bit of a bitter joke, since bustards are flightless birds, and the Tu-2's were not much better. The aircraft sent to Hungary were in really bad shape and flying them required death defying bravery - some still carried unrepaired damage from WW2 German AAA, a few were not even airworthy, only allowed for ground crew practice, but still ended up in flying duty.

After the failed revolution against the Soviet occupation in 1956, the Hungarian air force was temporarily disbanded for a year. During this time the Hungarian Tu-2's, standing outdoors, completely exposed to the elements had deteriorated beyond repair and were turned into scrap metal. Today there are only a few black and white photographs remaining of these, not a single one survived for an aviation museum.

The decals for the side number provided in the kit ("white 10") belong to a later version of the Tu-2, with only one window in the rear fuselage instead of the three as depicted in the kit (plus a few more other differences). A white "04" would be a perfect match, but since I was unable to find a corresponding decal in my stash, I must oversee this slight inaccuracy.