Background

 

The Sukhoi design bureau was assigned to develop an aircraft similar to the FW 189 and Lockheed P38 following the success enjoyed by these aircraft in the reconnaissance role. In just 150 days the SU-12 was born.

In December 1947 the first SU-12 was handed over to the State Flight Test centre for flight trails. Despite the successful completion of flight tests in 1948, only two experimental aircraft were built. For several years they were used for various military and civil purposes, including the aerial photography of the remote areas of the USSR. In reality the Sukhoi SU-12 proved to be a very reliable aircraft in operation. It was a twin boomed aircraft with a cental gondola type cockpit, almost a direct copy of the Focke Wulf FW189. A crew of four were housed in the central gondola.

MSV Moldova's 1/72 scale kit of the Su-12 is crisply injection moulded in light grey plastic. The panel line sharpness and detail is very similar to that of Revell Germany. Very little flash is evident and the parts look very easy to clean up. The cockpit detail is very sparse and leaves plenty of scope for extra detailing.

Separate rudders are provided, but are made to be moveable, very reminiscent of early Airfix kits and their poor fit. No engine detail is provided, as the louvers on the engine fronts are moulded in the closed position. On Russian aircraft the louvers were closed when the aircraft engines were started in the extreme cold weather, and then the louvers would progressively open as the engines warmed up.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The undercarriage doors look to be very thick and will need some thinning down.

The pilot figures are amongst one of the poorest examples that I have seen, and should be consigned to the bin.

The transparencies are amongst the best, crystal clear with well-defined framework.

Colours are provided for the Humbrol paint system, while the decals are basic they are clearly printed.

Overall the kit looks like it will go together well. An in-depth build review will follow later.
 

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