S-125 „Neva“ SC – the USSR/ Polish anti-aircraft missile system

The S-125 anti-aircraft missile system was built in the Soviet Union to supplement the S-25 (stationary Moscow defense system) and S-75 (high-flying air target destruction system). The S-125 “Neva” system has a shorter operating range, a lower line of fire, the missiles have a lower speed. But they are more suitable for destroying actively maneuvering targets. In addition, both stages of the rocket use solid fuel, which greatly facilitates their use. Projecting work on the S-125 system began in 1956. The USSR decided to limit itself to stationary S-125 units and abandoned mobile units. Production of missiles for this system began in 1959 at the 32nd Production Company in the Kirov area. The formation of the first combat divisions, armed with S-125 devices, began in 1961 and they were mainly deployed around Moscow. In 1959 design work began on the marine version of the S-125, which received the designation M-1 ("Volga-M") and these devices were installed on cruisers and destroyers from 1963. The S-125 “Neva” system is NATO code named SA-3 “Goa”. The export version is called S-125 "Pecora" and is armed with 5V24 or 5V27 "Volna" missiles. The first S-125 systems were stationary two-missile installations. In 1993 Russia offered a new version for export with digital data processing, improved radar, a longer range and a smaller number of service personnel. Armed with these systems, the Egyptian and Syrian armies were used against the Israeli Air Force during the 1970-1973 wars. After that, several more countries bought S-125 systems. The first AAMS S-125 was delivered to Poland in 1969 and several missile divisions were armed with them. In June 1971 the first launches of missiles were carried out at the range in the USSR. The supply of complexes was completed in 1978. The S-125 proved successful in the air defense of the country. Their operational range was 25 km, and the altitude was 18,000 m. In Poland, after modernization, these systems served until 2020, when they began to be replaced by new missile systems.

The model is quite complex, but not so much, that even novice modelers, working under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, cannot glue it together. Model without interior equipment, engine and control compartment detailing. The model reproduces the appearance of the mobile system on the tank T-55 chassis with 4 anti-aircraft missiles, modernized in Poland in 1996.