While making jet fighters as aerodynamically clean and sleek as possible is usually the first concern for aeronautical engineers, the exigencies of combat and the need to get more out of a design often lead to the opposite. The need to carry more fuel and avionics is usually the driving force behind the addition of extra lumps, bulges and, in some cases, enlarged spines on the aircraft’s back!
A perfect example of this is the Mig-29, which evolved into the “SMT” version with a very pronounced modification to the Fulcrum’s originally svelte lines. Of course, I love big-spined planes, so for me, this version of the Mig-29 is my favourite! Check out the completed Zvezda 1/72 Mig-29 SMT on the Planes page. I think you’ll agree that bigger is better!
The Sprue Lagoon 