Trumpeter 1/72 Su-27MKK Flanker G Kit First Look

by Michael Benolkin

First Look

The Sukhoi Design Bureau (OKB) was tasked to develop a long-range interceptor that would be able to contend with strategic threats as well as hold its own against the hottest air-to-air fighter being fielded in the west - the F-15 Eagle. The resulting design bore a similarity to the F-15 from afar, but that is where the similarities end. The Su-27 is more than a match for any contemporary operational fighter, save perhaps the F-22, but its younger brother, the Su-37 will keep Raptor pilots on their toes.

One of the first things you'll notice is that the Flanker doesn't usually carry external fuel tanks. I don't believe I've ever seen a photo of an Su-27 with external tanks. That is because the aircraft carries an ample load of fuel internally to conduct long range intercept missions, and when even longer ranges are required, many Flanker variants are now equipped with retractable air refueling probes.

Serving as the backbone of the Soviet and now Russian air defense forces, the Su-27 has evolved into a number of variants, including the Su-27UB two-seat trainer, Su-30 multi-role fighter, Su-34 fighter-bomber, Su-35 Improved Flanker, and Su-37 Super Flanker. There is also the Su-47 which retains some of the Flankers lines, though its forward-swept wings reflect a new generation of fighter awaiting funding. We also shouldn't forget the Su-33/Su-27K Naval Flanker, modified for carrier operations.

The Flanker has been exported to China and India, with additional customers being lined up by the Russian aviation export teams.

Trumpeter has scaled down their Su-27MKK kit from their original 1/32 scale release to this new 1/72 scale gem. Molded in light gray styrene, this kit is presented on 13 parts trees plus two trees of clear parts,

Among the features in this kit:

• Nice cockpit with the instrument faces and side consoles provided as decals
• Nice K36D ejection seats
• Positionable canopy
• Positionable speed brake
• Choice of wingtip missile rails or wingtip Sorbitsya ECM pods

The kit also provides a nice variety of external stores options including:

• 4 x R-27R (AA-10 Alamo radar-guided)
• 4 x R-27T (AA-10 Alamo IR-guided)
• 4 x R-77 (AA-12 Adder)
• 4 x R-73 (AA-11 Archer)
• 2 x Kh-31P (AS-17 Krypton)

There are four sheets of decals, one sheet provides a variety of generic markings for PLAAF (Chinese AF) examples, one sheet provides airframe stenciling, one sheet provides cockpit details, and one sheet provides stenciling for the weapons and pylons.

As usual, this is a nice-looking kit that captures this two-seat strike fighter. While markings are only provided for the PLAAF, you can also find the Su-27MKK and its nearly identical twin, the Su-27MKI in service with the Indonesian AF, Ugandan AF, Venezuelan AF, and Vietnamese AF as well.

My sincere thanks to Stevens International for this review sample!