Sukhoi Su-24M Fencer by Zvezda

1/72 scale
Kit No. 7267
Decals: Two versions – both Russian Air Force
Comments: Engraved panel lines; optional position canopy; working variable sweep wings; ordnance includes drop tanks, AA-6 Aphid anti-aircraft missiles (2), R-60 anti-aircraft missiles (2), AS-11 Kitter anti-ship missiles (2), and a variety of other air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, along with gun pods.

History

The Sukhoi Su-24 is a tactical bomber and strike aircraft developed to replace the Ilyushin Il-28 and Yak-28 medium bombers. Fast with long-range and the ability to deliver ordnance with pinpoint precision, like the American F-111 its avionics feature integrated navigation, bombsight and weapons control linked to a central computer. Entering service in 1975 and based at a series of forward air bases within Warsaw Pact countries, it soon became a source of concern for NATO once its low-altitude, deep penetration capability was realized — from bases in Poland or East Germany, it could threaten bases as far west as Great Britain; from bases in southwestern Russia, it could strike Italy, Greece or Turkey. Beginning in 1979, it also proved its high altitude bombing capability during the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, where the Su-24 saw its first combat, striking targets in the Panjshir Valley from bases in the USSR.

The prototype first flew on July 2, 1967 but initially had a very different design, featuring a delta  wing with RD-36-35 auxiliary lift jets to improve takeoff performance. This configuration was soon abandoned in favor of using variable variable sweep wings to achieve the desired performance. The variable geometry wing prototype first flew on January 17, 1970, with the first production version leaving the factory in December 1971. The Su-24 entered service with Soviet Frontal Aviation in February 1975. Of the initial three versions, the Fencer-A was used for service trials only; Fencer-B was the first regular production aircraft with a redesigned rear fuselage; the Fencer-C was similar, differing only in improved avionics.

The subject of this kit and the major production strike-bomber version, the Su-24M, took its maiden flight on June 24, 1977 and entered service in June 1980. It has become known as the Russian version of the General Dynamics F-111 (although some 12% smaller and lighter than its American counterpart) due to its variable sweep wings, tandem seating, and the fact that it was designed to have identical capabilities, principally terrain-following radar, allowing it to fly low-altitude, deep penetration air strikes.

Like the F-111, the Su-24’as avionics suite features a navigational/attack system. It also has a retractable in-flight refueling probe, a slightly elongated nose for its avionics including a Kaira laser/TV weapons guidance system, and wing root fences. Starting in 1988, the Su-24K export version was produced and sold to Algeria, Iran, Libya and Syria. In the 1990’s following the break-up of the Soviet Union, the Fencer was used to strike targets inside the former USSR, notably destroying bridges in Chechnya with laser guided bombs.

Another version, the Su-24 MR Fencer-E, designed specifically for reconnaissance, features side looking radar in a shortened nose, infra-red and TV sensors with a panoramic camera in the nose and an oblique camera in the lower fuselage. It can also carry reconnaissance and electronic intelligence (ELINT) pods, and has reportedly been used most frequently in this role against the People’s Republic of China.

The final variant was the Su-24MP Fencer-F electronic warfare version, with jamming and signals intelligence capability. Su-24 M production ended in 1992.

The Kit

A re-box of the Dragon/DML kit initially released in 1992, Zvezda’s Sukhoi Su-24M is injection molded in grey and consists of 180 parts, including 10 clear parts for the cockpit canopy and navigation lights. The cockpit is not terribly detailed — the ejection seats are rather bland and nothing like the highly regarded K36 ejection seats to be found on the original — with the exception of the main instrument panel, which features crisp raised detail and what appears to be a separately mounted radar scope, which would fit with the Su-24’s terrain following radar. Individual control yokes round out this assembly.

The kit has crisply engraved panel lines but its engineering is not very complex — based on the instruction sheet, the airframe itself builds up rather quickly with top and bottom fuselage halves, a two-part nose cone (9 grams of weight recommended), and the variable sweep wings, which are two parts each and must be mounted to the fuselage with care in Step 3. Next come the engine exhausts, jet intakes, vertical tail and elevators, which on the original form an all-flying tail.

The landing gear are fairly detailed and the nose gear faithfully represents the mud shield aft of the wheel to prevent the intakes from ingesting snow during the Russian winter. At Step 5, along with the main landing gear, are a series of sensors, strakes and other odd bits which must be cemented to the Su-24’s ventral surface.

While the kit offers a variety of ordnance, none of it is specifically identified in the instructions. I was able to identify about half of the ordnance via reference books and internet research, but still don’t know what some of it is. For example, there are two of what appear to be 500 lb. iron bombs that may be manufactured by FAB, but I am not certain. Two notable items appear to be 23mm and 30mm gun pods, to complement the AA-6 Aphid and R-60 anti-aircraft missiles.

The kit can be built with the canopy open or closed, and in the final stages of assembly, there are a number of air scoops and antennae to be cemented to the plane’s upper surfaces, along with wing fences atop the wing roots (really the glove box for the variable sweep wings).

Markings

The kit markings all appear to be at least faintly yellowed, so aftermarket replacements should be considered if you encounter this. While the kit offers two versions of decals, the instructions provide no information whatsoever regarding the first version, Blue 91. The second, Red 42, is a machine, according to the instructions, belonging to the “Lipetsk High School of Russian Air Forces,” which may be a flawed translation. While stencils are provided, they are yellowed and upon close examination could be more detailed, as they do not actually say anything — under magnification they are simply squiggly blue lines on a yellow background. Again, aftermarket decals are recommended.

Conclusion

This is a kit with exceptionally crisp external detail and a nice variety of ordnance, even if the instructions fail to tell you what you’ve got. With care it will build up into a sharp example of the tactical strike aircraft that put NATO on the defensive in the latter years of the Cold War. Highly recommended.

References

• Combat Aircraft Since 1945 by Stewart Wilson; Copyright 2000 Stewart Wilson and Aerospace Publications Pty Limited: Fyshwick, Australia.
• Modern Military Aircraft, edited by Jim Winchester; Copyright 2004 International Masters Publishers AB; San Diego.
• Air International, Vol 20, No.1, January 1981, “Sukhoi’s Pivotal Interdictor: Su-24 Fencer,” pp. 6-10.