Revell Sukhoi Su-33 Navy Flanker (03911) - 1:72 Revell

[Julien]

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 They are being drawn down in favour of the Mig-29K, and will be refurbished to replace their outdated avionics for future use elsewhere.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

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[jrlx]

Julien,

 

thank you for the excellent review. I have the Hasegawa Su-33 in the stash. Do you or someone know how does it compare to the Zvezda in terms of accuracy and kit engineering?

 

Thanks again.

 

Jaime

 

[Julien]

2 minutes ago, jrlx said:

Julien,

 

thank you for the excellent review. I have the Hasegawa Su-33 in the stash. Do you or someone know how does it compare to the Zvezda in terms of accuracy and kit engineering?

 

Thanks again.

 

Jaime

 

@jrlx have a look here, Ken says its the most accurate kit and I would trust his judgement on that. 

 

Julien

[jrlx]

1 hour ago, Julien said:

@jrlx have a look here, Ken says its the most accurate kit and I would trust his judgement on that. 

 

Julien

Thanks, Julien! I had completely forgoten about that thread. I even posted on it!

 

Cheers

 

Jaime