The final design of the Su-24 (NATO Codename 'Fencer') was influenced strongly by the shape and performance of the American F-111 Aardvark, and the need to carr a powerful attack load together with the complex avionics needed for the role, which resulted in an airframe larger and heavier than many previous Sukhoi offerings. The Su-24 is still operated by several African and European nations, including Ukraine.
Like many countries previously part of the Soviet Bloc, Ukraine adopted many of the aircraft previously based there and left behind after the break-up of the Soviet Union. As of February 2022 the Ukrainian Air Force operated such diverse types as the MiG 29, Sukhoi Su-24, 25 and 27, as well as Mil Mi-8 helicopters and the Ukrainian-designed and built Antonov -26, -70,178 and -30. Most Ukrainian fighters and attack aircraft are currently camouflaged in a complex, four-colour 'pixel' scheme with monochrome grey undersides. The Su-24 attack aircraft in particular have been active in slowing or stopping the Russian advance into the centre of the country.
The Kit Armory's new-tool 1/144 scale kit is presented as 124 parts on four frames (forty-four are for bombs) moulded in soft grey styrene with some minor flash and hints of sink marks, and there's a clear frame with five parts for either one-piece or opened canopies. There are resin parts for the jet nozzles and the control sticks and a small photoetched fret supplies mainly fins for the ordnance, which includes thirty-eight FAB-100120 bombs with MBDZ-U6-68 twin-triple racks, two R-60 (AA-8 Aphid) missiles, and two Kh-59M Ovod (AS-18 Kazoo) cruise missiles, as well as two PTB-3000 tanks and, interestingly, a UPAZ-M Sakhalin buddy refuelling pod - pretty comprehensive!
This story is from the November 2022 edition of Scale Aircraft Modelling.
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This story is from the November 2022 edition of Scale Aircraft Modelling.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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