Sukhoi Su-27 (Su-27S / Su-27P)
The original single-seat Flanker — a long-range air-superiority fighter built to answer the F-15 · First flight 1977 · In service 1985
The first T-10 prototype flew on 20 May 1977, but its performance fell short of the targets and Sukhoi redesigned the aircraft almost from scratch. The reworked T-10S-1 flew on 20 April 1981 and became the basis for series production at Komsomolsk-on-Amur. Two single-seat versions followed: the Su-27S, the initial production fighter with the improved AL-31F engine, and the Su-27P for the Soviet Air Defence Forces, which lacked the air-to-ground weapons control system.
Deliveries to the Soviet Air Force began in June 1985 and the 831st regiment at Myrhorod became the first frontline unit that November, although the type was formally accepted into service only in August 1990. After the Soviet break-up, Su-27s stayed with Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan; export Su-27SKs went to China from 1992 and later to Vietnam and Indonesia, and second-hand aircraft reached Angola, Eritrea and Ethiopia. About 680 were built between 1982 and 2010.
A stripped-down example, the P-42, set a string of time-to-climb records from 1986 to 1988, beating the marks of the F-15 "Streak Eagle". The Su-27 also became an airshow favourite with Russia's Russian Knights display team and with Ukrainian Air Force display crews at Western shows such as RIAT.
