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Su-7BKL "Fitter-A" 1:48 MisterCraft The Su-7 was a swept wing supersonic aircraft developed by the Sukhoi design bureau in the 1950's. Originally designed as a fighter it was not a great success, but would later find its role in bombing and ground attack. The Su-7BKL added a rough field capability to the BM which was itself an upgrade for the B model featuring an upgraded engine. In addition wet hard points under the wings were added, and the airframe made nuclear capable. The BKL also featured provision for JATO rockets. 267 were built and many were supplied to Soviet satellite states. The Kit The plastic in this kit is from OEZ in 1989, and has been reboxed over the years by many different companies. Even though the pastic can be a little thick this is still the best Su-7 kit produced to date. Construction starts off not in the cockpit but with the underwing thanks, ordinance, and the JATO rockets; though I suspect many modellers will leave this until later and move straight onto the cockpit. A basic 4 part ejection seat is made up, this fits into the cockpit which is built up on top of the front wheel well. Attached to the front of the cockpit is the nose radar bullet assembly. 10 grams of weight is recommended here, but it looks like as much as you can cram in would be advisable! The exhaust nozzle is also completed at this stage. The next stage of assembly is the landing gear which is fairly complex. Each main gear has 6 parts and the wheel, then the gear doors which need to be cut if doing a wheels down aircraft need attaching to the legs. The nose gear has a two part leg trapping the wheel, then two struts. Once these are made up the two part vertical tail and rudder assembly is put together. This is then followed by assembling both wings. These are of standard upper/lower construction. Now that a lot of the sub assemblies are complete construction can move to the main task. The cockpit/nose radar units along with the exhaust are enclosed in the main fuselage, then the wings are attached along with the vertical tail, and tail planes. Two prominent cable ducts are added along with the under wing hard points. The rear airbrakes can be open or closed. The landing gear is added along with the JATO bottles if you wish, and armament of your choice. Rocket pods and large single rockets are provided along with fuel tanks. Lastly the canopy is added, and a boarding ladder is provided if the modeller wishes to use it. Markings As well as having Bort numbers for nine different aircraft assigned to the Polish Air Force all in NMF, four other decal options are provided. Red 25 Soviet Air Force 1960's (NMF). White 25, Soviet Air Force in now Ukraine (4 colour Camo) 1960. 6427, Czechoslovak Air Force, 1984-89 (4 colour camo). 6514, Czechoslovak Air Force, 1984-89 (3 colour camo). The decals are seem to be well printed, colour dense and have minimal carrier film Conclusion This kit is still really the only game in town for a 1/48 Su-7. It is showing its age a bit, but builds upto a good looking model. Recommended. Review sample courtesy of UK distributors for

1/48 swing-wing Fitter could be next Avantgarde release after the Foxhound, Tomcat and Albatros. Unconfirmed speculation at local modelling discusions but here are some connections between the AMK and Czech modellers.

The initial export version of the Su-17M, (S-32MK). Photos thanks to Mike Costello taken at The Polish Aviation Museum, Krakow.

Source: http://forum.largescaleplanes.com/index.php?showtopic=45770 LEM - homepage under construction http://lemkits.com/ - has already proposed 1/32nd resin kits of a.o. Su-17/-22M3/M4/UM3 and MiG-27M (http://lemkits.com/catalog/77-132). Today this Ukrainian producer proposes a 1/32nd Sukhoi Su-7BM "Fitter-A" resin kit - ref.32008. Only available on Ebay - name "ruporator" http://www.ebay.fr/itm/1-32-Su-7-BM-Limited-edition-resin-model-kit-/121155652219?_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649&clk_rvr_id=509967881406&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT http://www.ebay.com/sch/ruporator/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686 V.P.

Modelsvit is to release a limited edition 1/72nd Sukhoi Su-22I (Su-7IG or Su-7BM with variable geometry wings) kit - ref.MSVIT 72009. Source: http://hobbyterra.com/product/sukhoi-su-22i-su-7ig-su-7bm-with-variable-geometry-wings-modelsvit-72009.html V.P.

Sukhoi Su-7 Fitter-A, pics thanks to Jacek. This aircraft is an Su-7BM this had an upgraded AL-7F-1 engine, upgraded fuel system with external piping on either side of the fuselage spine, fuel tanks installed in the wings, "wet" underwing hardpoints for carrying external fuel tanks, capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons.

Build 9 Su-22? Sorry Dragon, you got it wrong! Because the markings supplied are only for a Russian Fitter, Su-17M4 is the correct designation, Su-22 is only used for export versions. Now that's cleared up... ;)This looks to be a very nice little kit and I'm looking forward to building it. It'll be built OOB except for the wing/wing glove joint which will need some work. Price: 99p eBay. The decals have yellowed a little and are currently Blu Tacked to my window...

My last build for 2012 looks to be one that was built more as a quest, than a serious build! Anyway, it’s a Su-7BM (S-22M) “Fitter – A” of the former Soviet Air Force ca. late 1970’s. The inspiration (?) for this originated for me when wargaming in the 80’s, I played SPI’s “Oil War" which has several Su-7s featured. all with pretty low attack and range factors, which made me curious as to why these had such low value numbers. So – curiosity kills the cat! – and I discovered that operationally, Su-7s were hampered by a high landing speed of 340–360 km/h due to the thin, highly-swept wing. They had poor visibility from the cockpit, and lacked an instrument landing system, which made operations very difficult, especially in poor weather or on poor airfields. Apparently they were pretty fast and rugged. So, that said, I found pretty much the same with the characteristics of the model kit too! Modeling as a hobby requires multiple mental levels and directions, and the process was as follows; First – find something to build that would look basically Ok – and I discovered a “Fitter” kit somewhere in my stash…. Second - Then over about a 12 year period I would occasionally look at the kit box and remind myself never ever buy cheap model kits,.. but the intrigue and interest drove me to see what a cheap Fitter would look like built. Finally, with some determination, much chopping, cutting, sanding and an on-line visit to an obscure Russian company to buy some decent looking wheels, I managed to put together the aforementioned kit, and make it look something like it would have been years ago as a member of the Frontovaya Aviatsiya. Enjoy the Fitter - A! All the best for 2013. Adam

Ukrainian company Modelsvit new 1/72nd Su-7BM "Fitter-A" kit - ref. 72001 Source: http://modelsua.com/...svit-72001.html 1/72nd Su-7BMK "Fitter-A" kit - ref. 72002 Source: http://modelsua.com/Sukhoi-Su-7BMK-Fitter-A-fighter-bomber-1-72-Modelsvit-72002.html Remember Modelsvit true first 1/72 kit is a An-124... To be followed. V.P.