Sukhoi Su-27 Cockpit

1/48 scale for Academy

Aires

Aires' 1/48 scale Su-27 Cockpit  will be available online from Squadron.com

A recent release from Aires model products, 4262 is a cockpit set for the Academy 1/48 scale Sukhoi Su-27, or Flanker as it was termed in the old NATO code name system. 

In typical Aires fashion, the set is a mixed-media one.  It comprises of mainly resin parts with etch-metal detail pieces and an acetate sheet to form the "glass" of the instrument panel, heads-up display and gunsight. 

The cockpit of the Academy Su-27 kit is a bit of a disappointment really being too shallow.  The inner surfaces of the large clamshell canopy are also devoid of the complex detail that the one-to-one-scale example exhibits as is their rendition of the K-36DM ejection seat.  This new set from Aires addresses these shortcomings and more. 

The set comprises 25 resin pieces, 44 odd photo-etched ones and a small piece of acetate that you cut the printed instruments as well a heads-up display and the reflector glass for the gun sight from.  The resin parts have been cast in a durable (read less prone to snapping!) mid-grey resin. 

The detail on the resin cast parts really is good.  The parts are crisply cast and devoid of pin holes or mis-casts.  The set in the main is cast as a tub with separate one-piece sidewalls, rear turtle deck, ejection seat, and clamshell canopy.  The balance of the resin parts include the control column, the front windscreen bow, canopy actuating ram as well as other tiny detail parts. 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The photo-etch fret is also very comprehensive.  It contains the harness for the ejection seat, rear view mirrors for the canopy, the instrument panel, rudder pedals, frame to hold the heads-up display and ejection seats harnesses to name a few of the major pieces.  The metal used to form the fret is much like the lead foil you get from wine bottles.  It is soft and easy to work with, which is a good thing as it is easy to manipulate and drape the belts and harnesses onto the ejection seat to making them appear more realistic. 

Does it fit? 

My previous experiences with Aires cockpit sets cause me to approach them cautiously, knowing full well that I will be in for a long session of filing and sanding.  This one does not look to be too bad though as the tub fits into the underside of Academy's one-piece upper fuselage and the casting block is on the bottom of the piece.  Time will tell though! 

A small instruction sheet is included.  It carries 'exploded views' of the suggested assembly sequence as well as a 'parts map' to assist you in identifying the tiny resin parts. 

No painting instructions are supplied with the set so you are on your own here but I suspect that if you go to the expense of purchasing this set, you will have other references to back you up.  Still for the price though it would be reasonable to expect some sort of painting instructions to be provided. 

Accuracy?  From what pictures of Su-27 cockpits that I could find on the net, it looks to be accurate.  Not doubt, I will find some better shots of the cockpit and the canopy rails post this review being posted.  What I can say though is that it looks better than what Academy provides and I will be happy to use it. 

The kit is packaged the standard Aires Masters Series manner.  The resin parts sit in a vac formed tray which in turn sits on top of the cardboard header on which the photo etch fret and instructions are also placed.  A vac formed clear plastic cover is then slid over both the tray and the header and it traps and displays the resin and photo-etch parts.  Staples are then punched through the header card and the plastic cover to fasten them together.  Nice and robust, just what you want when you rely on mail order!  

All in all, a nice set from Aires.  It will certainly add the needed detail to your Academy kit. 

Recommended.

Thanks to Aires for the review sample.