Su-17/22M4 Eduard 1/48

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]uring 2010 Eduard has re-released four old KP/OEZ kits upgraded by standards of today’s models. Eduard’s idea was great, at least I think so, basically good kit in shape are now upgraded with resin, photoetched parts, masks and great choice of decals so all you need can be found in one box. After Su-7, Su-17M3 and Su-25 Eduard released Su-22M4/Su-17M4 kit as kit no 1151 limited edition.

Wonderful and inspiring box art found on Eduard’s box will for sure draw attention comparing to old OEZ/KP kit box. When you open the box you will find 133 plastic parts on four sprues molded in grey plastic and one on clear plastic, twenty resin parts and two prepainted photoetched fret, masks and decal options for five Sukhoi’s. Although this is re issue of rather old kit very small amount of sink marks is present and flash is almost invisible. Details are very nice, and panel lines are clear, crisp and very nice, but fitting these could cause some additional work, that is just not Eduards fault. Eduard added Brassin parts for cockpit mostly and for decoy launcher. Level of details is amazing on these parts, kit parts can’t be compared to these provided by Eduard. Clear parts are great quality and manufacturer provided two options, open and closed canopy, but with Brassin in cockpit it would be a shame to close canopy. Weapon set is decent and generally fit well, Eduard has also upgraded this set adding some PE parts. Sure kit can be upgraded further more, with adding details on engine nozzle, perhaps fixing the scopes on fuselage and surely fixing the airbrakes, but this kit is a very good base to create masterpiece for your collection. Decals are perfect and in register, and from my previous experience with Eduard decals they fit just fine on the well prepared area.

Marking options are:

Su-17M4, Yellow ’27’, 20th GvAPIB, Templin (Gross Dölln) Air Base, April 5, 1994
Su-17M4R, 886th ORAP, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, December, 1998
Su-22M4, Czech Army, 32nd zTl, Namest nad Oslavou Air Base, Czech Republic, 1994 to 2002
Su-22M4, Czechoslovak People´s Army, 47th pzlp, Pardubice Air Base, Czechoslovakia, 1980´s
Su-22M4, No. 26 Squadron, Yemen Air Force, San´aa Air Base, Yemen, 2009

My favorite is for sure the last option, for Yemen Air Force, and that is the one I am building, you can follow my build here!

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Su-22 kit in 1/48 scale is rather rare, I believe that there is no other injection molded kit available on the market. Eduard has done great job face-lifting this old lady, I can highly recommend this kit, if you find it, get it, you won’t regret.

You can purchase this kit directly here 1151 Su-22M4/Su-17M4 Limited edition 1/48 Check out Eduard 1149 Su-22M3/Su-17M3 full build review here!

Darko Mladenovic

Sample kit provided by Jan Zdiarsky from www.eduard.com