- £36.99 (UK Oct 2010)
Reviewed by Les Venus
Overview – The buying decision…
I knew that Eduard was releasing the SU-25 in 1:48th and were keen to get the march on Trumpeter who are due to release their version but in 1:32nd (note please Dave and Geoff). I was bimbling about the Brampton Model Show and bumped into this new kit from Eduard on the shelves at Mr Models. Peeking in the box (oh come on we all do it!!) I was hugely impressed and I got the plastic out immediately (I will soon need to stop buying kits and hire a divorce lawyer at this rate) because frankly I was stunned by the price of only £34.95, well done Mr Models!
Now regular readers of my ramblings will know that I recently built the Eduard SU-7 which is from the same basic pedigree and in the Here Now I heaped praise on it. I have to say it was a slightly different story in the Build Now but despite that I still had to have it. So why’s that?
The Aircraft (courtesy of Wikipedia): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_YA-9
The Sukhoi Su-25 (NATO reporting name: Frogfoot) is a single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. It was designed to provide close air support for the Soviet Ground Forces. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 22 February 1975. After testing, the aircraft went into series production in 1978 at Tbilisi in the Soviet Republic of Georgia. Russian air and ground forces nicknamed it “Grach” (“Rook”).
The Frogfoot arrived on the scene about the same time as the A-10 and was the Soviet answer to the USAF`s awesome ground attack bomber. For me though The Frogfoot seems to bare an uncanny resemblance to the Northrop YA-9 the second placed aircraft for this role with USAF. Still there no doubt that this aircraft looks like it can do what it says on the tin. Whatever your thoughts I think that is a great modelling subject and I for one am glad that this package has brought this kit back to the attention of modellers. More of this anon.
The Box
Much is made of box tops and lots of scorn is often piled on some manufacturers. Marketing is key in these tough time and making the product stand out is key. I think Eduard have got it spot on! The simple red packaging, coupled with a good action shot and the fantastic big red star so evoking the cold War period synonymous with this jet is so eye catching and screams look at me. This and the teasing shots of what’s inside on the box sides means for me that Eduard have got their focus just right.
Instructions…
On the face of it the instructions look superb in a glossy A4 booklet. My experience of the SU-7 from Eduard is that this is mainly true but there may be areas that are perhaps a little vague. I’ll find out in the build.
In the box…
This is the old KP/Kopro kit and in some ways shows its age. Comprising 6 Sprues of light grey plastic that has engraved panel lines but which are a little too soft. Still it’s flash free and really has a build me look to it. I think under a coat of paint and with some subtle weathering it will come up well. I shall have to see. All the pylons are included as well as a range of suitable weapons that is just right.
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