1/48 Monogram Su-25A - the Modern Sturmovic

Gallery Article by Wayne Hui

 

The model is a built from the Monogram 1/48 scale SU-25.  The kit was originally released around early 1990.  It has recessed panel lines and raised panel rivet details.  If I remember correctly, this is one of Monogram's first attempts to issue models with recessed panel lines.  I would even say this the precursor to the Promodeler line.  This model is currently out of production.  It is basically a very good kit despite some people on the web bad mouthing it by saying it is not accurate and not worth doing.   The fact is, the kit is modeled after a pre-production T-8 version.  But the corrections and modifications to turn it into the SU-25A or the SU-25K (export version) is not too difficult and can be handled by any modeler who’s not hung up on Tamiya kits.

 

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The kit is based on a pre-production T-8 Frogfoot A.  Unless you want to model the T-8, then you need to do the following modifications and additions to bring it to a SU-25A standard.

  • 1.  Add the ram air intake on the vertical fin.  I made that using Tamiya 2-part putty by forming it to shape and sand it to final shape.

  • 2.  Add the flap extensions on the middle flaps using styrene sheet.

  • 3.  Add the anti-glare panel to each wing tip pods, next to the retractable landing lights.

  • 4.  Delete the trim tab on each ailerons by filing it in with putty.

  • 5.  The laser window on the nose is too big.   Correct this by cutting a new styrene window with the correct opening size and shape.   The angle of the laser window is not slanted back enough.   But for me, this is not noticeable and I just left it alone.

  • 6.  Shorten the two inner most pylons.  The kit parts are way too long and inaccurate.   Shorten them by cutting them to the same shape and length as the middle pylons.

  • 7.  The kit nose gear has a oval blob of plastic on the struct.  This should be scraped off and replace with two rods and a small nose gear light.

  • 8.  The kit instrument panel is basically very good but the Instrument box extending from the dash is missing.  Build the instrument out of styrene block.  

  • 9.  The kit’s weapon set is, sad to say, totally useless and inaccurate.   Discard them and steal a set of rocket pods from the Tamiya MIG 21 kit and a set of AS-14 missiles and launch rails from the Academy SU-27 kit.

  • 10.  The nose gear mud guard is correctly shaped however the holes around the wheel axial are molded closed.   Just drill and cut them open.

  • 11.  Do not use the two nose probes and the two air scopes under the engine exhaust that come with the kit.

  • 12.  The canopy is side hinged.   Do not follow the Monogram box art or their instruction to glue the canopy open by hinging it by the back.

Basically, that’s about it for corrections and basic improvements.  Anything else you see on my pictures are just a few steps beyond the basics.  

Note that if you are doing an aircraft that flew in the latter phase of the Afghanistan invasion, you need to add two chaff pods on top of the exhaust nozzles.   

Wayne Hui

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Photos and text © by Wayne Hui