In Box Review of Platz/Zvezda 1/72nd Scale
Soviet Su-27SM2/3 "Flanker B, Updated"
Kit no. AE-5-5600
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: 6,048 yen or $52.98 from Platz in Japan
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: 6,048 yen or $52.98 from Platz in Japan
HISTORY:
In 2002 the modernized Su-27 called the Su-27M modernized took first flight. Though it looks almost the same as the previous Su-27P, it is efficiently equipped with new technologies developed with Su-35/27 demonstrators.
To enforce its avionics, modified IRST is offset to right to enlarge perspective from cockpit instruments which are totally renewed into a "Glass cockpit".
Engines are converted to more reliable powerful AL-31F-M1's. Electronics are updated according to HOTAS concept. the production and convergan began in 2004 and was completed in 2006.
The Sukhoi Su-35 (Russian: Сухой Су-35; NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) is the designation for two separate, heavily-upgraded derivatives of the Su-27 air-defence fighter. They are single-seat, twin-engine, highly-maneuverable aircraft, designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and built by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association.
The first variant was designed during the 1980s as an upgrade of the Su-27, and was initially known as the Su-27M. This derivative incorporated canards and a multi-function radar that transformed the aircraft into a multi-role aircraft, and was structurally reinforced to support its heavier weight. The first prototype made its maiden flight in June 1988.
As the aircraft was not mass produced due to the collapse of the Soviet Union, Sukhoi re-designated the aircraft as Su-35 to attract export orders. At the same time, the fifteen aircraft produced were used for tests and demonstrations; one example had thrust-vectoring engines installed, and the resultant Su-37 was used as a technology demonstrator. A sole Su-35UB two-seat trainer was also built in the late 1990s that strongly resembled the Su-30MK family.
In 2003, Sukhoi embarked on a second modernization of the Su-27 to serve as an interim aircraft awaiting the development of the Sukhoi PAK FA (Su-57) program. Also known as Su-35, this derivative has a redesigned cockpit and weapons-control system compared to the Su-27M, and features thrust-vectoring engines in place of the omitted canards.
The type made its first flight in February 2008. Although the aircraft was designed for export, the Russian Air Force in 2009 became the launch customer of the aircraft, the production version of which is designated Su-35S. China's People's Liberation Army Air Force is the sole foreign user of the aircraft.
Other countries are reportedly in discussions with Russia about the possible purchase of the Su-35, among which is Indonesia, whose government is expected to sign a contract in the near future.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Role: Multi-role air superiority fighter
National origin: Soviet Union / Russia
Design group: Sukhoi Design Bureau
Built by: Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association
First flight: Su-27M: 28 June 1988, Su-35S: 19 February 2008
Introduction to service: 2014
Primary users: Russian Air Force, People's Liberation Army Air Force
Produced: Su-27M: 1987–1995, Su-35S: 2007–present
Number built: Su-27M: 15, Su-35S: 58, 4 for export
Unit cost: US $40–65 million for the Su-35S
Developed from: Sukhoi Su-27
Variants: Sukhoi Su-37
In 2002 the modernized Su-27 called the Su-27M modernized took first flight. Though it looks almost the same as the previous Su-27P, it is efficiently equipped with new technologies developed with Su-35/27 demonstrators.
To enforce its avionics, modified IRST is offset to right to enlarge perspective from cockpit instruments which are totally renewed into a "Glass cockpit".
Engines are converted to more reliable powerful AL-31F-M1's. Electronics are updated according to HOTAS concept. the production and convergan began in 2004 and was completed in 2006.
The Sukhoi Su-35 (Russian: Сухой Су-35; NATO reporting name: Flanker-E) is the designation for two separate, heavily-upgraded derivatives of the Su-27 air-defence fighter. They are single-seat, twin-engine, highly-maneuverable aircraft, designed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and built by the Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association.
The first variant was designed during the 1980s as an upgrade of the Su-27, and was initially known as the Su-27M. This derivative incorporated canards and a multi-function radar that transformed the aircraft into a multi-role aircraft, and was structurally reinforced to support its heavier weight. The first prototype made its maiden flight in June 1988.
As the aircraft was not mass produced due to the collapse of the Soviet Union, Sukhoi re-designated the aircraft as Su-35 to attract export orders. At the same time, the fifteen aircraft produced were used for tests and demonstrations; one example had thrust-vectoring engines installed, and the resultant Su-37 was used as a technology demonstrator. A sole Su-35UB two-seat trainer was also built in the late 1990s that strongly resembled the Su-30MK family.
In 2003, Sukhoi embarked on a second modernization of the Su-27 to serve as an interim aircraft awaiting the development of the Sukhoi PAK FA (Su-57) program. Also known as Su-35, this derivative has a redesigned cockpit and weapons-control system compared to the Su-27M, and features thrust-vectoring engines in place of the omitted canards.
The type made its first flight in February 2008. Although the aircraft was designed for export, the Russian Air Force in 2009 became the launch customer of the aircraft, the production version of which is designated Su-35S. China's People's Liberation Army Air Force is the sole foreign user of the aircraft.
Other countries are reportedly in discussions with Russia about the possible purchase of the Su-35, among which is Indonesia, whose government is expected to sign a contract in the near future.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Role: Multi-role air superiority fighter
National origin: Soviet Union / Russia
Design group: Sukhoi Design Bureau
Built by: Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aircraft Production Association
First flight: Su-27M: 28 June 1988, Su-35S: 19 February 2008
Introduction to service: 2014
Primary users: Russian Air Force, People's Liberation Army Air Force
Produced: Su-27M: 1987–1995, Su-35S: 2007–present
Number built: Su-27M: 15, Su-35S: 58, 4 for export
Unit cost: US $40–65 million for the Su-35S
Developed from: Sukhoi Su-27
Variants: Sukhoi Su-37
THE KIT:
Platz is a model company based in Shizuoka City, Japan. This kit apparently was done in cooperation with Zvezda, who is based in Russia according to what's said on the box art.
On Platz's web site they say that in addition to manufacturing and selling their own products (plastic models, decals, etched parts etc). they also are an authorized import agent, selling products from world-famous plastic model makers (airplanes, tanks, figures etc.).
The kit comes in a large tray and lid type blousy box. It has a 3" void at one end of it around the parts inside.
The box art shows a Su-27SM2/3 "Flanker B" posed against an all white background.
It is in a wave pattern of 3 shades of grey with a white nose. There is a black 04 outlined in white on the sides of the nose and on the rudders. It has black exhaust nozzles.
One corner of the box art has a picture of the decal sheet in the kit above PLAN INSTRUCTIONS IN JAPANESE.
One side panel has small color profiles of the aircraft showing the box art scheme and a second Su-27SM2/3 in the same color schemes but with a black 55 outlined in white on the sides of the nose and the rudders. The rest of the side panel is all in Japanese text.
THE KIT:
Platz is a model company based in Shizuoka City, Japan. This kit apparently was done in cooperation with Zvezda, who is based in Russia according to what's said on the box art.
On Platz's web site they say that in addition to manufacturing and selling their own products (plastic models, decals, etched parts etc). they also are an authorized import agent, selling products from world-famous plastic model makers (airplanes, tanks, figures etc.).
The kit comes in a large tray and lid type blousy box. It has a 3" void at one end of it around the parts inside.
The box art shows a Su-27SM2/3 "Flanker B" posed against an all white background.
It is in a wave pattern of 3 shades of grey with a white nose. There is a black 04 outlined in white on the sides of the nose and on the rudders. It has black exhaust nozzles.
One corner of the box art has a picture of the decal sheet in the kit above PLAN INSTRUCTIONS IN JAPANESE.
One side panel has small color profiles of the aircraft showing the box art scheme and a second Su-27SM2/3 in the same color schemes but with a black 55 outlined in white on the sides of the nose and the rudders. The rest of the side panel is all in Japanese text.
Platz's street address in Shizuoka City, Japan, their telephone and FAX numbers are shown here.
The other side panel says "This kit is a plastic unassembled scale model kit. Glue and paint not included. Some parts are extremely sharp. Handle carefully. do not use near fire while using glue and/or paint. Suitable for age 15 and above". This is said in Japanese, English and French. Two color photos of the model made up in the box art scheme are shown.
The other side panel says "This kit is a plastic unassembled scale model kit. Glue and paint not included. Some parts are extremely sharp. Handle carefully. do not use near fire while using glue and/or paint. Suitable for age 15 and above". This is said in Japanese, English and French. Two color photos of the model made up in the box art scheme are shown.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 5 light grey trees and a clear tree in a large sealed cello bag. The clear tree is inside a zip locked cello bag along with the smallest of the Grey trees.
The decal sheet is in a sealed cello bag along with a tissue that covers it face to protect it from scratching. The decals are made by Cartograph.
The two sheets of instructions complete the kits contents.
On instruction sheet is a single sheet folded in the center to create 4 pages in 8 1/4" x 11 3/4" page format.
It is printed on slick-coated paper.
Page 1 begins with the same info that was on one of the side panels about the shapness of parts and no glue or paint in the kit, in Japanese and English. This is followed by instructions for putting the cardboard support base together, above the first 2 assembly steps. The text on these is all Japanese. There needs to be more English language on it.
Pages 2 through 4 give a balance of a grand total of 14 assembly steps, with all the text on them in Japanese only.
The second set of instructions is the same page size of 4 pages.
Pages 1 and 2 have 2 6-views across them showing the Su-27 with O4 and 55 on it as the color instructions. Also, the pilot figure. At the bottom of page 2 is a suggested listing of Mr. Color and Testors Model Master paints.
Page 3 is the instructions showing were to place the multiple stencil marks on the aircraft, followed by color instructions for the missiles.
Page 4 has the parts trees illlustrations.
Large medium-grey letter A parts tree holds: the fuselage upper rear section, the upper wing panels, air intakes etc. (18 parts)
This kit contains 5 light grey trees and a clear tree in a large sealed cello bag. The clear tree is inside a zip locked cello bag along with the smallest of the Grey trees.
The decal sheet is in a sealed cello bag along with a tissue that covers it face to protect it from scratching. The decals are made by Cartograph.
The two sheets of instructions complete the kits contents.
On instruction sheet is a single sheet folded in the center to create 4 pages in 8 1/4" x 11 3/4" page format.
It is printed on slick-coated paper.
Page 1 begins with the same info that was on one of the side panels about the shapness of parts and no glue or paint in the kit, in Japanese and English. This is followed by instructions for putting the cardboard support base together, above the first 2 assembly steps. The text on these is all Japanese. There needs to be more English language on it.
Pages 2 through 4 give a balance of a grand total of 14 assembly steps, with all the text on them in Japanese only.
The second set of instructions is the same page size of 4 pages.
Pages 1 and 2 have 2 6-views across them showing the Su-27 with O4 and 55 on it as the color instructions. Also, the pilot figure. At the bottom of page 2 is a suggested listing of Mr. Color and Testors Model Master paints.
Page 3 is the instructions showing were to place the multiple stencil marks on the aircraft, followed by color instructions for the missiles.
Page 4 has the parts trees illlustrations.
Large medium-grey letter A parts tree holds: the fuselage upper rear section, the upper wing panels, air intakes etc. (18 parts)
Large medium-grey letter B parts tree holds: elevators, ladder, rocket pylons, landing gear legs etc. (65 parts)
Large medium-grey letter C parts tree holds: main wheels, rockets etc. (50 parts)
Large medium-grey letter D parts tree holds: the fuselage forward upper section, rudders, pilot seat, engine sides etc. (16 parts)
The lower fuselage section is a one piece molding.
Letter E is the clear cockpit windows (7 parts)
Small medium-grey letter F parts tree holds: the pilot figures (5 parts)
A cardboard stand is included to hold the model during assembling and painting.
The directions for making the stand are on the side of the box.
The decal sheet is very extensive with hundreds of stencil markings on it in addition to Soviet red stars and fuselage numbers. However, the stencil markings are very small and close together.
Care is needed to cut them from the sheet and position them on the model. Producing the stencils on a separate sheet would help in removing them. As mentioned above the decals are made by Cartograph.
Care is needed to cut them from the sheet and position them on the model. Producing the stencils on a separate sheet would help in removing them. As mentioned above the decals are made by Cartograph.
This kit is definitely for the advanced modeler and not a weekend project.
Very highly recommended.
I want to thank Platz for this review sample. Their web site is:
Very highly recommended.
I want to thank Platz for this review sample. Their web site is:
There is a TRANSLATE tab on their site that converts it to English.