1/144 Lockheed L-1011-385-3 TriStar K1 (500) airtanker RAF - Eastern Express

Lockheed L-1011-385-3 TriStar K1 (500) airtanker RAF - Eastern Express

The Royal Air Force operated nine L-1011-500s TriStars, six ex-British Airways and three ex-Pan Am.[2] The TriStars were bought in the immediate aftermath of the Falklands War to bolster the long range capability of the RAF in the transport and tanker roles, as the demands of refuelling Hercules supporting forces stationed in the Falklands was rapidly using up the fatigue life of the RAF's Handley Page Victor tankers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_TriStar_(RAF)

The original Eastern Express Tristar was released in 2015 (see here for sprue shots ), This version comes with two decal options and a seperate sprue containing the in-flight refuelling probe and  rear fuselage refuelling positions.
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/EA144122

1/144 YAK-24 'Code name HORSE' - Eastern Express

1/144 YAK-24 'Code name HORSE' - Eastern Express

In late summer 1952, the Soviet Union issued two design specifications for helicopters, with the intent of catching up to the United States in post-World War II helicopter development. The design for the a medium size helicopter which could transport 12 people was issued to the Mil Design Bureau, whereas the design for a larger version capable transporting 24 people was given to the Yakovlev Design Bureau, which had not had any previous design experience with helicopters prior to this project.

The initial variant was the Yak-24 – Army transport helicopter, that could carry up to 30 airborne troops, 18 stretchers or 3,000 kg (6,614 lb) of cargo. From 1958, the improved model Yak-24U was produced, with all-metal rotors of larger diameter (21 m/69 ft) and an all-metal fuselage. It could carry 40 soldiers or 3,500 kg (7,716 lb) of cargo, including two GAZ-69 jeeps or anti-tank guns. A civilian variant for 30 passengers was the Yak-24A, produced from 1960 in small numbers. It was also used as a flying crane, lifting an external load of 5,000 kg (11,023 lb).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakovlev_Yak-24

110 Plastic Parts, 3x Decal Schemes.

Available: Now

Source: https://modelsua.com/Yak-24-Horse-helicopter-1-144-Eastern-Express-14515.html

1/144 Mil Mi-10 Military Transport Helicoptor - by Eastern Express

1/144 Mil Mi-10 Military Transport Helicoptor - by Eastern Express

The first prototype V-10 was completed in 1959 and was soon officially allocated the service designation Mi-10. The first flight took place on 15 June 1960 and flight testing continued successfully until in May 1960 the first prototype crashed during a precautionary landing resulting from loss of gearbox oil pressure, only the Navigator/ radio operator surviving. After joining the flight test programme the second prototype began a series of world record breaking altitude/payload flights for turbine powered helicopters. State acceptance trials were passed successfully in 1961, but production did not commence until 5 March 1964 at the Rostov-on-Don factory, with first flight of a production aircraft on 10 September 1964, leading to a total of forty of the long-legged Mi-10 helicopters built, from 1964 to 1969.

Mi-10 Initial standard long-legged production helicopter

Mi-10K (K - korotkonogiy - short legged) (NATO - Harke-B) Flying crane helicopter with short-legged narrow-track undercarriage and a ventral gondola for a second pilot.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-10


Mil Mi-10 Military transport helicopter (EA144509)
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/EA144509

Mil Mi-10K transport helicopter (EA144510)
https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/EA144510


Sprue Shots: http://pas-decals.ru/forum/18--/6827-mi-10-10k-vostochnyj-ekspress-1-144

Available: December 2016
Price: £30 GBP

1/144 Airport Service Sets 6 & 7 - Eastern Express

1/144 Airport Service Sets 6 & 7 - Eastern Express

Eastern Express have released another couple of sets for your Soviet/Eastern European Ground Support Equipment(GSE). They also look like they would be at home in civilian or military settings?

Price is @$30USD on Ebay..

Available: Now

1/144 Antonov An-8 Transport Aircraft Eastern Express (EE14496)

1/144 Antonov An-8 Transport Aircraft Eastern Express (EE14496)

This is just appearing on Eastern European/Russian models shop and ebay sites.
EE do a 1/72 version, but has different reference number (EE77141)

The An-8 was built in the GAZ-34 factory in Tashkent, from 1957 to 1961, as a larger-capacity replacement for the earlier Lisunov Li-2 (DC-3), with a large unpressurized hold, a manned tail gun position, chin radome for navigation/mapping radar and a glazed nose for the navigator.[2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-8

Release:  (Dec 2014)

1/144 Mi-4A & Mi-4AV (2 in 1) / Mi-4A & Mi-4AP (2 in 1) - Eastern Express

1/144 Mi-4A & Mi-4AV (2 in 1) /  Mi-4A & Mi-4AP (2 in 1)   - Eastern Express
We seem to be awash with small helicopter kits at present, with Marks 1s Wessex Series, Eastern Express are also in the midst of releasing a series of mits based around the Mi-4a

The Mi-4 was designed in response to the American H-19 Chickasaw and the deployment of U.S. helicopters during the Korean War. While the Mi-4 superficially resembles the H-19 Chickasaw, it is a larger helicopter and is able to lift more weight. The first model entered service in 1952, and replaced the Mi-1. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-4


Mi-4A - Assault transport helicopter.
Mi-4AV - Armed versions based on the Mi-4A.

Mi-4P / Mi-4VP  Civil transport helicopter, with accommodation for between 8 and 11 passengers, plus eight stretchers and a medical attendant for air ambulance duties.

Release Date: Dec 2014  (Well, it depends, some territories have it already, others coming soon)

This site has some sprue shots: http://hobbyterra.com/product/1-144-mi-4a

1/144 Eastern Express "Future releases" Mi-4, Mi-6 and AN-22

1/144 Eastern Express "Future Releases" Mi-4, MI-6 and An-22
A quick post to provide early warning of some new releases almost the two extremes of Soviet helicoptor production (see Anigrand for the actual Largest and Smallest Soviet Helos)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-6
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-4

and another Soviet Heavy Lift aircraft
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonov_An-22

1/144 Airport Service Vehicle Sets 1 & 2 - Eastern Express

1/144 Airport Service Vehicle Sets 1 & 2 - Eastern Express
I don't have too much information at the moment, but it would appear that Eastern Express are planning to release two sets of Airport Support Vehicles based upon the Zil-130 chassis.

They are plastic injection, with options on clear or solid glazing (with window decals - which is in common with a lot of airliner kits).

Prototype Images on BritModeller.com

Out the box Review (PAS Forum)

1-144 Eastern Express (selected) 2012 Releases

1-144 Eastern Express (selected) 2012 Releases
Eastern  has been busy over 2012 issuing a number of kits featuring aircraft produced by Russian manufacturers!

Antonov AN-12B (the Russian "Hercules")
Antonov AN-30B
Antonov AN-24/RT

I have already featured the Eastern Express Helicopter releases this year see ( Mil Mi-26 'Halo' ) ( Mil Mi-8MT/Mi-17 ).

 I seem to have over looked the Tu-134 UBL (Trainer for the Tu-160 Bomber for which there are a number of  kits and upgrades). Any one interested in the Tu-134 should also look at the "small stuff conversions" for the Zvezda Tu134 (review)

More info on A-Model kits can be found here: 
http://www.findmodelkit.com/category/producer/amodel

1/144 Mil Mi-26 'Halo' - Eastern Express

1/144 Mil Mi-26 'Halo' - Eastern Express 

Hot from the Hobby shops of Moscow direct to your screen, courtesy of Oleg from Novokits box and sprue shots of the Mi-26 from Eastern Express!

AHOHC is Russian for a form of "announcement / news" (in case your wondering)

The largest helicopter in production capable of carrying 90 Troops or 20,000KG of cargo, and has been used to recover 'downed' US special forces CH-47 Chinooks in the mountains of Afghanistan! Now that would be a diorama and a half!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-26

1/144 Mi-8MT/Mi-17 - Eastern Express

1/144 Mi-8MT/Mi-17 - Eastern Express
Sprue shots of these have been popping up on Eastern European model sites for some time, and now it appears they should be reaching our shores soon.

It appears there is a Mi-17 that comes with options for two Aeroflots liveries, and a MI-8 that come with a military and an "unknown" livery.

However, the after-market for decals should explode on this item as there have been so many national users!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-17
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-8

EE 14500 1/144 Mi-8MT/Mi-17
EE 14501 1/144 Mi-8MT/Mi-17

http://findmodelkit.com/content/new-releases-eastern-express


the other hot news is to expect a Mi-26 will release about August time!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mi-26

1/144 Lisunov Li-2 by Eastern Express

1/144 Lisunov Li-2 by Eastern Express
I stumbled across this kit whilst investigating the IL-12 release from A-Model.
I knew that some of the Il-2 kits below had been released, but had not encountered the kit(s) from Eastern Express.

http://www.ee-models.ru/eng/index.html

These kits do not seem to readily available at the moment, i could only find
Avia press and Modelshop.sk that had them online, however other suppliers such as e-models and Hannants stock the remainder of the Eastern Express Range, so maybe these are new?
http://www.aviapress.com/viewproducer.htm?EST
http://www.modelshop.sk/Shop/Web?news=1&nogroupsview=1

The Lisunov Li-2, originally designated PS-84 (NATO reporting name: Cab), was a license-built version of the Douglas DC-3. It was produced by the GAZ-84 works near Moscow, and subsequently at GAZ-34 in Tashkent

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisunov_Li-2

Avialble: Now (limited outlets)
Price: @ 28 USD / 17Euro


Welsh Models
Are planning to release a Lisunov Li - 2 (Dakota) in USSR Polar unit livery (others may follow?)
http://www.welshmodels.co.uk/news.html

Zvezda
There has been indication that a Li-2 maybe produced as part of the "Art of Tactic" war game system currently being manufactured by Zvezda.
http://kampfgruppe144.blogspot.com/2011/01/1144-lagg-3-bf-109-by-zvezda.html

CMR Resin (Czechmaster Resin)
Also, released some Li-2s in 2007, these sometimes do appear on ebay, or can be traded on Airliner Modling forums. Interestingly the website shows these as 'Future' so maybe they are planned for reissue 'some time'
http://www.cmrmodels.co.uk/page/catalogue-list.html
MM11 Lisunov Li-2 'Civil versions'
MM12 Lisunov Li-2 'Military versions'