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This was made using the Kinetic Su-33 with the Dream model J-15 Conversion set. The set includes the necessary glass cockpit and wingtip missile pylons (which are the main difference visually between the Russian Su-33 and the newly built J-15s) as well as some other items. I used the Skipper PLA Navy J-15 decals and some Caracal J-15 decals. Weapons were from the Hobbyboss J-11B kit and as well as FAB Scale YJ-83K anti ship missiles and pylons, FAB Scale AGM data link pod and FAB Scale WS-10 Engine nozzles. There are a lot of subtle differences among the sensor suite of the J-15 and Su-33 so a lot of photos were referenced to get something fairly accurate. It took a while as Flankers do, lots of metal areas, gear plumbing and panels on the big kits. As much as I like the colorful Russian aircraft cockpit colors I really liked the all black glass cockpit of the J-15.

No it's not a joke. After the Kinetic announcement here's the HobbyBoss 1/48th Sukhoi Su-33 "Flanker-D" kit - ref. 81761 Source: https://www.facebook.com/TrumpeterModel/photos/a.103538733138062.8169.103526326472636/529782187180379/?type=3&theater V.P.

Sukhoi Su-27K (for Minibase) 1:48 Eduard Minibase blew us away with their Su-33, and since then they’ve brought out the Su-27K Sea Flanker which also has a ton of detail. Eduard's new range of sets are here to improve on the kit detail in the usual modular manner, and here are couple for your attention. Get what you want for the areas you want to be more of a focal point. As usual with Eduard's Photo-Etch (PE) and Mask sets, they arrive in a flat resealable package, with a white backing card protecting the contents and the instructions that are sandwiched between. Seatbelts STEEL (FE1286) These belts are Photo-Etch (PE) steel, and because of their strength they can be etched from thinner material, which improves realism and flexibility in one sitting. Coupled with the new painting method that adds perceived extra depth to the buckles and other furniture by shading, they are more realistic looking and will drape better than regular brass PE. As well as a set of crew belts, you also get a set of the pull-handles between the pilot's knees that gets him out of there in case of an emergency. Masks (EX872) Supplied on a sheet of yellow kabuki tape, these pre-cut masks supply you with a full set of masks for the canopy, with compound curved handled by using frame hugging masks, while the highly curved gaps are in-filled with either liquid mask or offcuts from the background tape. In addition, you get a mask for the bare metal area around the cannon that’s mounted in the wing root, landing lights and the dielectric panels at the base of the twin stabilisers. Masks Tface (EX873) Supplied on two sheets of yellow kabuki tape, these pre-cut masks supply you with everything above, but also give you another set of canopy masks tailored to fit the interior of the glazing so that you can paint the interior and give your model that extra bit of realism. Having now used them myself in action, they give an impressively realistic look to your model’s canopy. Review sample courtesy of

Aviation Art (or another new brand) Minibase Hobby Corp. should release a new tool 1/48th Sukhoi Su-33 "Flanker-D" kit. The developpers team is reported to be the same having designed the Su-33 kit project purchased and produced by Kinetic. They are now fixing several details and errors and expect/hope to produce their own new kit from the "Flanker-D". The devil is in the details... To be followed. Hence my question: do we really need another Su-33/J-15 kit after the Kinetic efforts (Su-33 J-15) and Trumpeter soon to release models (link)? Source: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?/topic/300334-gwh-su-33-148/&do=findComment&comment=2876381 V.P.

Hi guys, so this will eventually be the spot where you'll be able to follow-on with me while I build my Kinetic Su-33 + Quinta cockpit detail set. But that won't be for a couple of months as I have another "What if" in the pipeline atm (RAF Skyhawk). The very basic background story to this build is, 20 ex-Russian Navy Su-33 fighters were bought cheap (engines and spares included) by the People's Liberation Army Air Force and put into service in Niger, Africa. Serving as part of a forward deployed unit (Su-33, J-20 and J-10) protecting precious mineral mining operations in the South of Niger. With the United States Government desperate to holt even more advancements in Chinese computer chip technology a U.S. Military Special Forces detachment (Delta Force) was forward deployed to Cameroon to try and get close to the mining operations to see if it could be sabotaged. In support of the Special Forces detachment was a mixed squadron of US Navy F-18E Super Hornets and one squadron of USAFA (United States Air Force Africa) F-16's. It was decided to camouflage the jets as Cameroon Air Force aircraft to alleviate any Chinese suspicions about their intentions in the region. With Cameroon politicians sufficiently convinced (bribed ) into believing this move would be a beneficial one for the country the way was set for the building of the base of operations in the north of the country. Things turned hot one day as a hotshot Navy pilot got a bit too close and was shot down by a Chinese S-400 SAM system. The subsequent rescue operation for the ejected Hornet pilot was a complete failure with the Australian Army MRH-90 Taipan rescue helicopter being shot down along with its onboard SAS rescue team. Following SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) operations lead by USAF F-16's were neutralised by J-20's and Su-33's. The camouflage scheme for the US Navy F-18E Super Hornets looks like this. (I intend building the Meng kit for this with a Reedoak sitting pilot figure in the cockpit, probably late 2022 ) As I haven't drawn-up an Su-33 profile yet I'll be using top and eventually side views of an Su-35 so I can get an idea of what sort of camouflage scheme I'm going to settle on for this build, and I'll be bringing you along on this journey of discovery so you can see how things evolve as the project moves forward. For those of you that are familiar with my work you'll know that I love "What if?" desert schemes more than anything else. And this hypothetical story lends itself to a lot of possibilities, both now and in the future as I could include not only a Super Hornet as seen above, but also the other aircraft types involved in the story as it too evolves along with the project. The PLAAF forward airbase at Kaadjia in Niger obviously doesn't actually exist. but looking on Google Earth the location does. The desert in this area looks very bizarre and has lots of variation in colour and texture. So, for me it's a Smörgåsbord of camouflage possibilities. I will spend some weeks messing about with various schemes until I decide on the definitive scheme. All of which I will share with you here. Cheers Richard.

Good morning everyone ! Another coronavirus project ! This time its the Su-33 . The model is pretty good in terms of fitting of the parts and detail . I used an AIRES cockpit and nothing more . I have already painted the cockpit and i have started painting and weathering the engines . Hope you like it ! IMG_20210413_212221 by Dionyssis Vacalas, on Flickr IMG_20210413_212228 by Dionyssis Vacalas, on Flickr IMG_20210413_212252 by Dionyssis Vacalas, on Flickr IMG_20210413_212259 by Dionyssis Vacalas, on Flickr IMG_20210413_212243 by Dionyssis Vacalas, on Flickr

Hallo Good NEWS: https://www.themodellingnews.com/2020/10/preview-brand-new-manufacturer-with.html At the model you have all the flaps & slats mechanic done!!!!!!! Happy modelling

Slightly older completion but finally got around to some photography. Zvezda's 1/72 Su-33 out of the box... almost. I cut up the inboard leading edge slats and the horizontal stabilisers to pose them more realistically. I also opened up some holes not mentioned in the instructions and used the spare/optional pylons for the inboard wing stations. These are pretty unrealistic as they are rarely used due to take-off weight considerations, but I'll be damned if it doesn't look imposing with 12 missles hanging off it! This is my largest and most complex aircraft project to date, the decision to have it folded was as much shelf space pragmatism as presentation 🤣 It's a fantastic kit and makes me want to build more Zvezda Flankers, but no idea where I'd put them! All brush painted with AKAN acrylics. These require some beating into submission for brush painting, the lightest blue especially took over half a dozen coats in some places. But I wouldn't have it any other way as their colour fidelity is so perfect, and no alternatives were convincing enough for me.

Detail set for Kinetic Su-33 Flanker-D in 1/48. Made of steel with a thickness of 0.05 mm.

News just in from Tanmodel, a new tool Su-33 in 1.32, now this will be MASSIVE!

Hey! First build since...., let's try not to screw it too much. I am, slowly, building the "stock" version, no eduard PE. Cockpit is done. That's small, and yes I did had some problem with the side panel stencils! Luckily we can hardly see them. Once question about the landing gear bay. What is their color? For the main one I guess it's red and grey, but for the front one?

The image above, courtesy AIN Online magazine, is of a carrier based two seat J-15D. After all the considerations of how simpler could have been for the Russians to do the same thing rather than the 33UB abortion (thanks for THAT model Trumpeter, I am grateful). What is the best way to get to this without massive amounts of scratchbuilding, in view of Zvezda announced release of a canard equipped Su-30 variant? It seems as if their SU-33 does not share any parts with the SU-27SM or new SU-27UB. Calling the Brexident expert Ken Duffey.

Sukhoi Su-33 Navy Flanker (03911) 1:72 Revell The SU-33 is a carrier based development of the SU-27 that has suffered from the dearth of finances following the break-up of the Soviet Union at the end of the last millennium. Soon after it was taken into service by the Soviet Navy, funding was reduced to the military as a whole, and as a result only 24 airframes were ever built. Overseas sales were attempted, but none came to fruition for various reasons, and further sales to the Russian Navy weren't an option, as in 2009 they decided on the navalised Mig-29K going forward. Beginning with the basic SU-27 airframe, the internal structure and landing gear were beefed up to cope with the additional stresses of hard carrier landings, the wings were enlarged to provide additional lift, and both the wings and stabs were fitted with folding mechanisms for storage below decks. The first aircraft embarked on the Admiral Kuznetsov in 1995 after substantial testing, but the cancellation of other carriers led to the projected buy of 72 airframes being cut back to the aforementioned 24. They are being drawn down in favour of the Mig-29K, and will be refurbished to replace their outdated avionics for future use elsewhere. The Kit For this kit Revell have brought us the excellent Zvesda plastic in their own box. Construction begins with the cockpit. The ejector seat is built up, if adding the pilot figure than the seat pad and belts part can be left off. If you dont want to add a pilot figure in the cockpit then a standing figure is also included to pose next to the model. The seat and control column are added to the tub and this is inserted into the top fuselage half along with the control panel (instruments provided as a decal). Construction then moves to the lower fuselage. The front gear bay is assembled and added in, along with the main gear bays. Once these are in the fuselage half's can be joined together. Next up the engines are made up and installed. The rear cone and burner ring are added at the back the the middle ring is added, followed by the afterburner section. Te inner sections of the tail planes are then added to the fuselage. Next up the large intake tunnels are built up, an engine fan front is provided for the rear, additionally FOD blanks are supplied as well. Fuselage and centre line pylons are added at this stage followed by the two ventral strakes. The two vertical tails are then added. The outer tailplanes can be added in the down position, or folded. If the main wings are to be folded then the fold mechanism is added at this stage. Back at the front the canard wings are added along with the nose cone. The cannon muzzle is fitted along with the HUD, front screen and IR sensor. Construction then moves to the landing gear. At the front the two wheels are added to the leg along with the landing lights and a couple of struts. The front gear door has its hinged and retraction strut added. The mains have a hub and single part tyre added to the leg, retraction struts are added and the doors get their hinges and struts added. The outer wing panels are made up, there are conventional upper/lower parts with a separate flap section (different ones for lowered and raised) and the wingtip missile rail to add. Two weapons pylons are added to each wing, there is a choice of pylons but no mention of which ones to use, so check your references. The wing panels can now be added either in the folded or unfolded positions. Finishing up weapons can be added where needed, The main canopy is added, along with the nose cone and its pitot. The large upper airbrake can be added in the closed or open position. A boarding ladder is provided if the modeller wants to use it. Decals The decals for this kit are printed in Italy by Cartogrf so that assures you will have no problems with them. From the sheet one of two aircraft can be built; Red 78, 279th KIAP (1st Sqn) Admiral Kuznetsov 2017 Red 86, 279th KIAP (2nd Sqn) Admiral Kuznetsov 2017 The kit provides a comprehensive set of stencils and very good instruction for there placement. Conclusion Revell give us the great Zvesda plastic with new decals. Our very own Flankerman said this was in his opinion the Best moulded Su-33 in this scale and that's good enough for me. Very highly recommended. Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit or

Hello everyone. This is my first build article here in Britmodeller, starting on my Su-33... First up is my crude attempt at a cockpit, the colors are Testors RLM 78 and basic colors, I didn't realize how crappy the instruments looked while the Future is still wet. hopefully they will get better as it dries. I am replacing the K-36 seat with the long out of production KMC resin item as I didn't want to make belts like I did on my MiG-31. I added the red handles (park brake???) and the gear handle with wire. I still have to paint the seat and the back wall. Airscale instrument decals. hopefully it starts to look better. More to follow... ~A

As announced in its 2014-2015 catalogue (http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234953185-20142015-trumpeter-hobby-boss-and-mrcmerit-catalogues/?p=1510523), Trumpeter is to release 1/72nd Sukhoi Su-33 "Flanker-D" - ref. 01667 - and Shenyang J-15 Fēishā - ref. 01668 - kits. First test shot pictures are on the Net. Source: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=274660&view=findpost&p=2606028 Strange J-15 use... V.P.

Source: http://www.cybermodeler.com/news/avart.shtml A new company - yes another one - called Aviation Art is to release an all new tool 1/48th Sukhoi Su-33 "Flanker-D" (formerly Su-27K) kit - ref.48001. Aviation Art is linked to the famous designer Chris "Zactoman" Wilson from Zactomodels - http://www.zactomodels.com/. Source: http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=268873 Remember, HobbyBoss is supposed to release in 2014 a 1/48th Su-27 "Flanker-B" kit: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234932992-148th-sukhoi-su-27-flanker-b-by-hobbyboss-in-2013/?hl=flanker V.P.

Greetings, I was wondering if anyone can help me out with a slight decal problem for a Su-33... On the picture below, just aft of the boarding ladder, there is some sort of whale (?) painted above the tiny red stars. I am working on a Su-33 model right now and would love to represent it as a "veteran" of Syrian sorties - particularly bort n. red 84 and 85 have a lot of stars - but I cannot find a decal sheet in 1/72nd with a usable black-white whale (or whatever that thing is) in it... I was even thinking of brush painting it myself, but the shape is rather complex.. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks

Just finished, Trumpeter 1/72 Russian Navy Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker D "Red 80" It's the Su-33 Flanker-D of 2nd Fighter Squadron AE, 279th Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment KIAP, RNS Admiral Kuznetsov 2016. Just finished it today, I spent like 19 days for this. Cheers.

Pleased to present another new finish. Kinetic Su-33 completely OOB build. The camo was airbrushed freehand and is not as sharp as it should be. This is now my 6th flanker build of various variants, just waiting on Kittyhawk's Su-34

Hello, I recently stumbled upon this acrylic paint pack for Su-33 camo colors http://www.migjimenez.com/en/acrylic-sets-four-colors-/602-su-33-colors.html I was wondering if anyone have experience - good or bad- with them. Are the colors generally accurate? I've read some mixed reviews on AMIG colors before, clogging airbrushes, etc., but these being advertised as pre-thinned and acrylic, I am very tempted to buy. Have a Zvezda Su-33 in 72nd eyed out already, I'm more of a brush-paint only person, so this set would make my life a lot easier I think. Thanks in advance.

This just in........ Zvezda's Su-33 box art showing a Flanker-D launching from Admiral Kuznetsov - with a Kirov-class battlecruiser in the background. The back of the box shows a made-up model..... Unlike the previous Su-27SM kit, the upper fuselage is a one-piece moulding - with correct contours around the canard mounting shoulders... The lower fuselage moulding - with correctly aligned main wheel wells!!!....... Half of Sprue C with the intakes - note that there are no mesh intakes mouded into the intake sides - they are provided as decals... Sprue B - with the correctly-raked fin tips...... Ken

Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker D, Pics thanks to Ken Duffy.

Russian Su-33 Flanker D 1:72 Trumpeter Instantly recognisable to enthusiasts of Cold War or modern jet aircraft, the Su-27 Flanker has formed the backbone of the Soviet Union/Russian Air Force's air superiority fighter force for much of the last thirty years. The design marked a departure from previous Soviet aircraft, with its podded engines, large wing and sophisticated avionics (it was the first fly-by-wire aircraft to enter service in the Soviet Union). Emerging in prototype form as the T-10 in 1977, the design showed great promise, and before long it had beaten the time-to-height records set by the modified Streak Eagle in 1975. Although originally designed as a long-range air superiority fighter, like many of its contemporaries the Su-27 has been developed to take on a variety of roles, including air-to-surface missions. The multirole Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker D is the navalised variant of the successful all-weather interceptor. Around 35 examples of the type have been constructed for Russian Naval Aviation, all of which operate from the Aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznestov. The Su-33 differs from the Su-27 in a number of respects. Most noticeable are the canards, situated forward of the wing to provide additional lift and manoeuvrability. The Su-33 also features larger wings with a powered folding mechanism, folding horizontal stabilisers, in-flight refuelling capability and the ability to carry a range of air-to-surface weapons. Despite the relatively small number of aircraft produced, this is the latest in a steady trickle of kits of the Su-33 to emerge. Things got off to a less-than-promising start, with the old and not very accurate Italeri Su-27 Sea Flanker (re-boxed by Zvezda). A few years ago Hasegawa gave us a much more sophisticated kit which, while still not perfect, was very good indeed. Now Trumpeter have released an all-new kit along with a typically generous selection of ordnance. Inside the large top-opening box are 230 parts spread across fifteen sprues of grey plastic and a single clear sprue. In typical Trumpeter style, the plastic parts are exquisitely moulded, with engraved panel lines, rivet and fastener detail. Also in the box is a small fret of photo etched parts, two decal sheets (one for markings and one for stencils) and a colour painting diagram as well as instructions. In common with other Trumpeter kits, the parts are extremely well packed and all of the sprues are individually bagged. Certain parts, such as the clear sprue are wrapped in foam for extra protection. Trumpeter seem to be in something of a purple patch with their recent 1:72 releases, and happily this kit continues that run of good form. The overall shape and arrangement of parts appears to match photographs and plans of the real thing very well. The canopy has the correct profile, which means a seam down the middle, but this is a five minute job to clean up with the right tools. Trumpeter have even included the option to build the model with the wings and horizontal tails folded, which is very pleasing to see and exactly how I will finish mine. Construction begins with the cockpit. This is made up of five parts, including a crisply moulded K36 ejection seat, which slots into a cockpit tub adorned with convincing moulded details (although decals re also provided). Once completed, the whole sub-assembly fits inside the fuselage halves. As with most kits of blended-wing aircraft, the fuselage is split vertically with the inner section of wing moulded in place. The outer sections of the wings are moulded separately so that the model can be built with the wings folded. Some modellers will find this a pain as it creates an extra joint to deal with, but I'm made up that Trumpeter included this option because it wasn't possible to finish the Hasegawa kit like this without major surgery. Do note, however, that you must drill a number of holes in order to fit the appropriate pylons to the outer wing sections before your cement the parts together. There are different parts to use for each option, as the outer flaps are dropped when the wings are folded. The same applies to the horizontal tail surfaces, with different versions provided for folded and unfolded options. The engine air intakes are next. These are slide moulded, which makes construction relatively pain free. Engine turbine faces are included, which will prevent the dreaded see-through effect, and parts such as the auxiliary air intake louvers are moulded separately in order to maximise the level of detail. The Su-33's rugged landing gear is next. Each main gear leg is moulded as a single part, which should translate into a degree of structural strength, while the more complex nose gear leg is made up of seven parts. In both cases the wheels are moulded separately. While the model is on its back, you have to add the Su-33's beefy tail hook a nicely detailed part is made up of four parts. The pylons have to be added at this stage too, so make sure you drill out the appropriate holes at the start of the build, or this is the point at which you'll really regret it. The canopy is nicely realised and, as mentioned above, accurate in profile. Because of the shape of the canopy and the way it has had to be moulded, there is a little distortion around the sides, but by way of compensation it can be finished in either open or closed positions. In typical Trumpeter style, a very extensive range of ordnance is included. Of course there is so much that you can't possibly use it all, but who doesn't like spare ordnance? All told, you get: 4 x KH-31 Krypton air-to-surface missiles; 4 x KH-35 Zvezda anti-ship missiles; 4 x KH-59M Ovod cruise missiles; 2 x B-8M rocket pods; 1 x APK-9 data link pod (for use with the KH-59 missiles); 2 x R-77 active radar homing air-to-air missiles; 4 x R-27ET extended range infrared homing air-to-air missiles; 4 x R-27ER extended range semi-active radar homing air-to-air missiles; 2 x R-73 infrared homing air-to-air missiles; A choice of two schemes is provided on the decal sheet - Su-33 Flanker D 'Red 67' and Su-33 Flanker D 'Red 80', both of the Russian Navy. The decal sheets are nicely printed and you get a full set of stencils too, which is a bonus. Conclusion Trumpeter are definitely on a role with their 1:72 aircraft, having given us fans of Soviet/Russian aircraft a hat-trick of very decent kits in the shape of the MiG-29, Su-24 and now the Su-33. This is a very decent representation of an interesting variant of an important aircraft. The basic shape of the aircraft looks to be about spot on and, with the option to fold the wings, it has much to recommend it, even when compared to the Hasegawa kit. No doubt this kit will find its way into the collection of a great many modellers, and justifiably so. Recommended. Review sample courtesy of UK Distributors for

The kit is intended to simulate louvres and meshes on aircraft models Su-27 (and based of its conversions Su-33 and Su-35) in 1/48 scale produced by Academy. All parts have scale precise dimentions, so some modifications of existing models may be necessary. Check the photo reference before applying this set. Made of steel with a thickness of 0.05 mm.

Hi, this is my latest finished model. Su-33 Flanker D, 1/72, Hasegawa with Eduard PE (Zoom) and Quickboost elevators.