E-152M Limited Edition

Modelsvit 1/72.

• Development & Design: Built by modifying the second prototype of the series (Ye-152-2), the aircraft featured an upgraded Tumansky R-15B-300 turbojet engine and a prominent dorsal spine fairing to house extra fuel. It was initially tested with small canard foreplanes on the forward fuselage, though these were later removed.
• The "E-166" Cover Name: Its sister aircraft (Ye-152-1) set several official world records between 1961 and 1962, reaching a top speed of 2,681 km/h (1,666 mph) and a sustained altitude of 22,670 meters. To maintain strict military secrecy during the Cold War, the Soviet Union registered the aircraft with the international aviation body (FAI) under the fake designation E-166.
• Cancellation & Legacy: The entire development program and its associated Uragan-5 weapon system were cancelled in 1962 due to early unreliability issues with the R-15 engine and component delays. However, the data gathered paved the way for the Mach 3-capable MiG-25 "Foxbat", which successfully utilized a refined version of the same engine.
• Museum Exhibit: The only surviving aircraft from this project is the modified Ye-152M. It is currently preserved and on display at the Central Air Force Museum in Monino, Russia. It is painted to resemble the record-breaking variant, complete with the misleading "E-166" text and three red stars painted on the nose.