KIT #:	5
PRICE:	$
DECALS:	Multiple options
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:

HISTORY

The Sukhoi Su-25 Grach (Russian: Грач (rook); NATO reporting name: Frogfoot) is a subsonic, single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by Sukhoi. It was designed to provide close air support for Soviet Ground Forces. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 22 February 1975. After testing, the aircraft went into series production in 1978 in Tbilisi in the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Early variants included the Su-25UB two-seat trainer, the Su-25BM for target-towing, and the Su-25K for export customers. Some aircraft were upgraded to the Su-25SM standard in 2012. The Su-25T and the Su-25TM (also known as the Su-39) were further developments, not produced in significant numbers. The Su-25, and the Su-34, were the only armoured, fixed-wing aircraft in production in 2007. Su-25s are in service with Russia, other CIS members, and export customers. Production of the Su-25 ended in 2010 in Georgia. Attempts continue to be made to restart production in Georgia using partially completed airframes, but as of June 2022 no new deliveries have been reported. As you might guess, the Su-25UBK is the export version of the two seat trainer. Interestingly, there is at least one air arm that only operates the trainer version.

From what I can determine, OEZ is a company that, in the late 1980s, produced four 1/48 kits. Those were a MiG-1, Su-7, and two Su-25 variants. I built the MiG-21 back when it was new and found it to be closer to a short run kit than a mainstream kit. I fully expect that this one is the same. I bought this one way back then as it still has 'Made in Czechoslovakia' on the box side.

The external detailing is engraved panel lines, but they are fairly large and soft-edged compared to modern kits. It provides two full cockpits with multi-piece ejection seats along with rudder pedals and control sticks. There are sidewall with detailing on them, which is nice. The blast screen behind the pilot as well as the instrument panels are molded in clear plastic. The kit needs nose weight, but no amount is specified. Both the nose and main gear wells are fairly devoid of detail.

The engine side pods have full intake and exhause with first and last stage compressors to get rid of the see-through effect. A separate piece for the very front of the intake eliminates any issues with trying to cover a leading edge seam. Wings are upper and lower halves with holes already opened for the pylons. Fin is right and left halves while the stabs are single pieces.

Main landing gear is suitably complex as you'd expect from a plane that was designed to operate from unimproved surfaces. There are a number of weapons and fuel tanks you can attach to the wing pylons. You get one of a variety of weapons, so if you want additional bombs, for example, you'll have to source them from some other kit.

Instructions are a huge sheet of paper with half of one side devoted to the five construction steps. The totality of the other side is dedicated to stencil placement.  Paint information is provided with Humbrol and generic references while in the actual construction itself, a few Revell reference numbers are provided. On the back of the box is a painting guide for a Czech aircraft as shown on the box art. The decal sheet is covered by a single carrier so you'll have to cut out whichever marking you wish. I'd like to think there are aftermarket sheets for this, but haven't checked. There are nose numbers for two Czech aircraft along with a nice selection of bort numbers for a Soviet version. Despite being over 40 years old, the sheet has not yellowed and may well still be viable.

An Su-25UBK has been released by KP, Mistercraft, Aeroteam, SMER and Eduard. All are based on the OEZ kit. Many of those reboxings include new parts. This means there have been masks and photo etch produced for this kit if you so desire.