Skunk Models 1/48 Russian Missiles Set First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

Skunk Models is back with another very useful set. This release provides 24 modern Russian air-to-air missiles and 24 pylons/pylon adaptors. Designed to compliment the recent Kinetic Models' 1/48 Su-33 Sea Flanker (Flanker D) kit, this set provides the air-to-air missiles used by the Su-27 family of fighters. The set includes:

• 8 x R-27ER (AA-10 Alamo C)
• 8 x R-27ET (AA-10 Alamo D)
• 8 x R-73 (AA-11 Archer)

While the R-73 is carried by a wide range of modern Russian fighters replacing the R-60 (AA-8 Aphid) dogfight missile, the R-27ER/ET are so far employed only by the Su-27 family. The R-27R (AA-10 Alamo A) and R-27T (AA-10 Alamo B) are shorter missiles which are employed by the MiG-29 Fulcrum series and not rendered in this set. Take a look at the first image to the right, this shows three of the four protective boxes housing two each R-27ER, R-27ET, and R-73 missiles which are slide-molded so that all fins are molded in place to make (in most cases) a one-piece missile. The R-73 has a separately molded thrust-vectoring nozzle that will need to be glued to the aft end of the missile fuselage. The second image to the right shows one each of the eight missiles provided of each type plus one each of the eight sprues containing the missile rails, adaptors, etc., for each of the missile types as used with the Su-27 series.

You may remember the Eduard released these same missiles in their Brassin series but they are cast in gray resin and require four or more fins be glued (cyano) into place for use where these are ready for paint. Whether you're wanting to arm the Kinetic Su-33 or the Academy Su-27/Su-30, ths set provides a very nice set of ready to use weapons and the appropriate suspension rails/pylons. Grab a set or two for your projects!

My sincere thanks to Lucky Model for this review sample!