Kopro 1/48 Su-17M-4 Fitter Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

The Su-7 was the first production fighter to come out of the post-war Sukhoi OKB. Designed around the AL-7 afterburning turbojet, the Su-7 sported a nose intake similar to the early MiG jet fighters as well as the early US jet fighters. Its wings were swept back 60 degrees, giving the aircraft good low-altitude performance and transonic airspeeds at altitude. The major disadvantage to the design was the need for lengthy runways to launch and recover the aircraft. There had to be a better way...

The Su-17 was the result of several attempts to lower the aircraft's stall speed to provide shorter take-off and landing runs. The solution was relatively simple - add variable geometry outer wing panels to reduce the wing sweep for improved low-speed performance, then sweep them back for high-speed operations.

The Su-17M-3 was the result of several iterations of improvements over the original Su-17. This variant was based upon the two-seat Su-17UM trainer, but with the rear seat deleted in favor of more internal fuel. The dorsal spine is deeper as well for additional fuel and avionics. The distinctive droop in the forward fuselage came about with the Su-17M-2.

The Su-17M-4 was the final production variant that featured an improved tactical navigation system as well as other avionics, and is visibly recognizable by the air intake scoop at the base of the vertical stabilizer. The Su-22 is essentially the same aircraft as the Su-17 except that it was equipped for export to other countries. The Su-22M-4 shares the same external features as the Su-17M-4.

Kopro (also known as KP) is a Czech-based model company that produces a variety of kit subjects in 1/72, plus a few noteworthy subjects (Su-7, Su-17/22, Su-25, MiG-21) in 1/48 scale. Kopro produces the only injection-molded kits of the Su-17/22 series in 1/48 scale. This review looks at the Su-17M-4.

This kit is identical to the Su-22M-3 kit (reviewed here) except for two parts on the third tree that provide the air scoop at the base of the vertical stabilizer.

Molded in light gray styrene, the kit is presented on four parts trees and a single tree of clear parts. The detail and layout of this model is not unlike a Monogram kit. The details on the surfaces are scribed. There is no hint of flash or sink marks.

Just to be different, construction begins with some of the external stores. The include two AS-7 Kerry air-to-surface missiles, a pair of ECM pods, and one reconnaissance pod.

Next up is the cockpit. The ejection seat is simplistic as is the cockpit tub, but there are some nice resin aftermarket cockpits available for this kit including from Aires and Neomega. Eduard also does a dress-up photo-etch set for this kit as well.

The completed cockpit is installed into the stovepipe fuselage along with the intake centerbody and the tailpipe. The cooling air scoops at the rear of the fuselage are also installed at this point, but you might look for the nicer-looking resin replacements from Quickboost.

The outer wing panels are designed to be moved, so the flaps are molded up and locked. You can remove these from the inboard and outboard wing sections if you'd like to drop these.

The horizontal stabilators are positionable. The speed brakes are positionable as well.

External stores include:

• Two external fuel tanks
• Two AS-7 Kerry missiles (mentioned above)
• Two ECM pods (ditto)
• One Recce pod (ditto)
• Two UB-32-57 rocket pods

This aircraft carries more than this, you can rob other kits to configure this bird as you'd like. 4+ Publications has a nice reference on this aircraft to help you along.

• Su-22M-4, Bort 546, 77 Fighter-Bomber Regt, East German Air Force, Last Flight as East German AF, 27 Sep 1990
• Su-22M-4, 98+14, WTD 61, German Air Force, Manching AB, 1994
• Su-17M-4, Bort 42, 302 Fighter-Bomber Regt, Soviet Air Force, Pereyaslavka AB, 1988

An extensive set of stencils is also provided for the airframe.

This is a nice kit that can be turned into a really nice model with a few aftermarket items. If you'd like to build something a little different and have a little fun in the process, this is the project for you.