Hobbycraf 1/72 Su-22 Fitter F

The Sukhoi Su-17 (izdeliye S-32; NATO reporting name: Fitter) is a variable-sweep wing fighter-bomber developed for the Soviet military. Developed from the Sukhoi Su-7, the Su-17 was the first variable-sweep wing aircraft to enter Soviet service and featured updated avionics. The aircraft also has variants which were designed to be exported to non-Soviet states such as the Sukhoi Su-22 and the less popular Su-20.

It was produced from 1967–1990. The Su-17/20/22 series had a long career and has been operated by many air forces, including those of the Russian Federation, former Soviet republics, former Warsaw Pact, countries in the Arab world, Angola, and Peru. The Russian Federation retired its fleet in 1998.

Although the Su-17 was capable of carrying nuclear weapons, it was used in roles ranging from close-air support to ground attack.

Hobbycraft's 1/72 Su-22 was released in 1989, soon to be followed by a two seat version. At this time in Hobbycraft's existence, their kits were fairly well received, especially following the rather poorly done Leoman resin kits, which I suffered through building. The kit was later reboxed by SK Models and Kitech. It then disappeared from existence, probably due to newer toolings from Bilek, Modelsvit and others.

The kit is quite basic in terms of detailing, with the cockpit comprising just an instrument panel and generic seat that fit on a shelf in one fuselage half. The intake is quite abbreviated and there is no exhaust pipe. Wings and horizontal stabs are upper and lower halves with the outer wings fitting into an inner 'glove. These outer sections can be repositioned, but they are not connected.

After attaching the wings, tailplanes, intake cone and one piece canopy, the builder then assembles two drop tanks and then moves onto the very basic landing gear. There is no gear well detail. Other things on the underside besides gear doors are a pair of pylons and missile shapes. One the inside of the wing glove just forward of the gear wells are two more weapons pylons, but nothing to attach to them. During fuselage assembly, 5 grams of nose weight is recommended and there is a lot of room for more if you feel it needs it.

Instructions are basic but well drawn. No color information is provided during the build. The lone marking option is for a Libyan aircraft and even that small sheet is pretty minimal, providing only intake warning and insignia. Since this is an early Hobbycraft kit, I fully expect the decals will not stick. Any exterior colors are provided on the back side of the instruction sheet with the upper colors in dark green, dark brown, and yellow green over light grey. There are aftermarket decals if one wishes to pursue that route and I'm pretty sure someone does Russian bombs for the inner pylons.  

While this one is undoubtedly low on most modeler's list for a 1/72 Su-22, it appears to be a pretty simple kit and one that would be fairly relaxing to build as long as one isn't anal about details.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-17

September 2024 

Copyright ModelingMadness.com. All rights reserved. No reproduction in part or in whole without express permission.