Sukhoi Su-27 variant
Sukhoi Su-27 P-42
Special stripped-down version derived from the T-10S-3, built to beat time-to-height records. Its weight was cut to 14,100 kg.
Image pending
History
The Streak Flanker
The T-10S-3 was modified and officially redesignated P-42 to attack the world time-to-height records set in 1975 by a similarly lightened F-15, the Streak Eagle. Armament, radar, paint and all operational equipment were removed; the fin tips, tail boom and wingtip launch rails went too, and more powerful engines were fitted. Stripped in this way, the aircraft weighed 14,100 kg.
The records
Between 1986 and 1988 the P-42 set and took several climb records from the Streak Eagle. Some of them — the times to 3,000, 6,000, 9,000 and 12,000 metres — still stood as of 2019.