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Nimitz 1981 Part II: the Victim


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After I finished the Hawkeye of VAW-124 a while ago, I picked up the Eduard Su-22M3 Fitter limited edition again. This kit is based on the old Kopro kit and not that sharp and crispy as we are used to lately. But Eduard put some extra's in the box like PE for the cockpit, a brasin seat and lots of nice decals. Nevertheless I had to do some mods. The majors are:

The inside of the exhaust was reworked;

Flaps were dropped;

Slats were reworked and dropped;

Eduard AA-2 Atolls were added;

Airco on the canopy frame was added.


The model represents one of the two Fitters that were shot down on the morning of 19 August 1981 over the Sidra Bay by two Tomcats of VF-41. There is not too many reference on the Fitters available. Every aspect of the two Tomcats is widely available, on the other hand, we know the two Libyan pilots ejected and they fired one Atoll, and thats about it. So there was room for some guesswork.


Hope you like.


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OD_su-22m3_14_full.jpg


OD_su-22m3_18_full.jpg

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First-class work on this superb Sukhoi Fitter. A really interesting replica of one of the two airplanes that certainly made a very poor choice in going up against Tomcats from the Nimitz !

It's one way to guarantee a thrilling rocket-powered chair ascent followed by a parachute ride down !

Mike

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Hello,MDman - My compliments to you on a beautiful looking build of your 'Su-22'.I love the quality and detail of the paint and finishing work and she looks resplendent in your chosen scheme.All the best,Paul.

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Very nice work on what is not exactly a state-of-the art kit.

I especially like the flaps and slats, and the detail inside the canopy. What is that 'thing' hanging down inside the canopy?

Cheers.

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Thanks everyone. "Doing" the flaps and the slats was a little nightmare, but the alternative was paying 50+ for a resin set. But honestly, the next Fitter just get a full swept pair of wings.

@Smudge, that thing is a curtain, actuality mora an umbrella, used for blind flying exercise. Looks a bit '80s, but they are still in use.

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  • 5 months later...

Beautiful! There's something really appealing about the Su-22, it's probably my fave Soviet fighter, very industrial and purposeful looking.

Superb replica of a Cold War legend.

Eng

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