c/n 79871012201 (although has also been reported as 79871012202) NATO codename:- Flanker E The Su-27M first flew in 1988 and was an advanced version of the Su-27. It had upgraded radar and was fitted with canards and extended fins, among many other changes. It was originally intended for full Soviet service in large numbers and to be exported as the Su-35, but the fall of the Soviet Union and following financial crisis meant that only 15 were built. This is not the same as the recent Su-35, which is more of a complete redesign and has vectored thrust and no canards. Five of the original Su-27M airframes eventually passed to the Russian Knights (Russikiye Vityazi) formation team, who flew them with unusual single digit codes. This rare example, appropriately still painted in ‘Russian Knights’ colours, is on display with other preserved aircraft near the main gate to the teams home at Kubinka Air Base, Moscow Oblast, Russia.