Amodel 1/72 Sukhoi T-49

The Sukhoi T49 with the new unique, twin side air intake layout of the fuselage nose section was produced in 1959 on the base of the Sukhoi Su-11 fighter. The fixed antenna radome was shifted forward and the air intake shifted back forming two sectors. The airflow duct of the air intake and corresponding air passage was profiled to create isentropic air compression and this minimizes the intake total pressure loss.  The T-49 took off for the first time on 10^th January 1960 with Anatoliy Koznov at the controls, but after a few flights in April the tests were stopped following an accident. The aircraft was repaired, but flights were not resumed. The aircraft only performed some flights early in 1960 and the flight test program was a failure because it lacked adequate engine at the time.

 The kit comes in a soft cardboard box with a painting of the airplane in flight. The kit contains six frets of short-run gray Plastic containing all the kit items and two smaller frets containing clear parts for canopy and wing lights. The 6-page A4 size instructions are in English and Russian language with symbol illustrations, clear exploded views in eight stages of assembly and color reference chart showing Humbrol equivalents and a three view drawing indicating placement of several tiny stenciling and star positions of kit decals. The model contains extra parts to assemble it  ‘in flight’ or ground look. Interior is well detailed but very little can be seen through the canopy. Only one aircraft in this configuration was ever built and markings come for this example.

Wing parts were cleaned from fins located at several places. Panel lines on wing surfaces were refreshed with a P-cutter. The lower wing halves (part 37 and 38) required careful trimming in order to fit flush with corresponding wing part. There is fine wheel well detail, part of which go covered when wing parts are joined together, this had to be gently lowered by sanding so that wings fit well when glued with the correct thickness. In some cases parts had to be parted from sprue using razor saw to avoid damage to the soft plastic. I noted that all parts required trimming for best fit.  Strangely enough the kit contained an extra cockpit arrangement complete with seats, column and back plate but certainly was not intended for the Type T-49.even though the instructions also depict a rear office complete with identical side consoles to the forward office, as if a two-seat version was in the pipeline.

The cockpit office is a sub assembly comprising 10 components including floor bulkheads, seat, and column and side consoles. Having completed assembly of this item I found that this could not fit inside the fuselage where it is intended to but left the fuselage ¼ inches apart. To cut this ordeal short I discarded the side consoles and the two lower bulkheads that fit under the cockpit floor and had another go at fitting the new office with less pieces and this time it worked fine.  I also sawn off the side instruments from the discarded consoles and fitted these separately direct of the fuselage sides. I also removed the second cockpit floor and parts on it since it was superfluous. The interior was painted medium gray and instruments in black with touches of white, headrest green. The instruments come in decal form and therefore very useful.

The two rear engine parts, (9 and 10), which are a disc shaped part and an exhaust pipe respectively also required filing down 1/8” to sides in order to allow the fuselage to close. The instrument panel was fitted to the separate, bullet shaped fuselage front, which are two separate pieces. I also inserted sufficient lead inside before closing parts together. This ensured kit to balance on nose wheel. From then on the assembly was straightforward. The nose wheel well had sides built up with plastic card cut to fit, and the nose wheel added at this stage. Nose probe and port wing antenna were replaced with ones made out of cut lengths of steel wire. The kit items were too thick and fragile. One other observation was that the tail plane panel lines were not identical to both sides like it is indicated on drawing, and therefore required scraping missing panel lines.

All interior medium gray using Model Master brand which instruments painted black as indicated earlier. Wheel hubs bright green and wheel legs also painted medium gray. Kit airbrushed silver overall and given a coat of Klear prior to applying decals. Finally an overall coat of semi gloss lacquer was applied.

I was of the impression that short run kits meant mainly absence of locating holes and guiding pins, however the experience with this kit build proved more than that. Also while the odd shaped air intakes were an attraction, those who are keen on Russian types must be prepared to persevere during building the model just the way I did.

http://en.wikipedia.org

Carmel J. Attard