Sukhoi Su-9 Fishpot - 1:48 Trumpeter

[Julien]

Sukhoi Su-9 Fishpot

1:48 Trumpeter

Just to really confuse us Sukhoi recycled the Su-9 designation. Originally it referred to the Samolyet K which was originally developed post WWII in the USSR and was heavily influenced by the Me 262. The Su-9 at the time and the later Su-11 did not enter service as they were found to be slower than other competing aircraft.

The later Su-9 Fishpot was a single engine all weather missile armed interceptor. This aircraft was developed alongside the Su-7 and the two are very similar. The main difference is the wing on the Su-9 is a delta wing unlike the Su-7 swept wing. The two do share rear airbrakes, the same engine and nose intake. Armament for the Su-9 was four K-5 beam riding air to air missiles. No internal cannon was provided. Overall 1,100 aircraft were built, and surprisingly none were used outside of the Soviet Union.

The Kit
The kit arrives on 4 Main sprues of grey plastic, one spure for fuel tanks, one sprue for missiles, and a clear sprure. The plastic is all good quality and free from defects. Shockingly enough construction begins with the cockpit! The three part ejection seat is assembled and added to the main cockpit tub, this is then completed by adding the right sidewall. A control column, throttle quadrant and instrument panel follow to complete the cockpit section.

Construction then moves to the other end of the airframe with the five part exhaust being put together. We then flip back to the front of the aircraft with the front wheel well being assembled. The three part leg is built up around the front wheel, this sub-assembly is then added into the five part gear well. Next step is to enclose the cockpit, engine and front wheel well into the main fuselage.

Construction now moves to the main landing gear. This is a two part oleo, retraction strut and a conventional two part wheel. The main outer gear door attaches to the strut. The conventional upper/lower two part main wings are constructed and the main gear attached (though I suspect most modellers will do this later).

The final stages for construction are to add the wings, vertical fin (2 part), and tailplanes to the main fuselage. For the main wings separate flaps are provided. Various antenna are added along with a couple of intakes and the pitot tube. The canopy is also added. The last stage is to add the armament and fuel tanks along with their associated pylons.

Decals
The decal sheet is fairly sparse as the aircraft carried little in the way of markings except national markings (Stars) and Bort numbers. Two options are provided.

• USSR 1st Sqn 179th FAR, 8th ADD - Stry 1970.
• USSR 1st Sqn 894th FAR, 8th AAD - Ozermoye 1962.

Conclusion
This was an important type for the USSR which has not been kitted before in 1/48 so it will complete your collection of Soviet Interceptors if you are doing one. Recommended.

Review sample courtesy of
UK Distributors for

[Breaker]

Why do model companies keep making us attach the undercarriage during construction! Drives me nuts having to worry about the nose gear as it's normally fairly fragile! /rant

[Julien]

Yes it can be frustrating. With this kit you have to put the gear leg and retraction leg in while building, the wheel and other part of the leg can be left for later.

[Mike]

Funnily enough, I've tried this in some of my more recent builds, and it hasn't been the bugbear that it used to be when I was a clumsy kid