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Hobby Boss' 1/72 scale
Su-47 Berkut

by Roland Sachsenhofer

Su-47 Berkut


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Hobby Boss' 1/32 Spitfire Mk.Vb Trop is available online from Squadron

 

Introduction

 

The manufacturer Hobby Boss proves again and again courage to the unusual. Also with the kit of the Su-47 an airplane type was selected, which is aviation historically quite significant, but was never intended as a technology demonstrator for series production. So the Su-47 can't score with fame, rather with its unusual and aesthetically appealing appearance. Above all, the negative wing sweep immediately catches the eye. How did this unusual design come about?

In the mid-1970s, computer controls and new composite materials made their way into aircraft technology. This made it possible to re-test the old dream of negatively arrowed wings. The negative sweep promised, among other things, a high angle of attack, low tear-off speed and excellent overall manoeuvrability in all speed ranges. Under the auspices of the Cold War, research was carried out in East as well as West, and test and technology vehicles were built. 

 

 

The Su-47 was designed and built similar to its US counterpart, the Grumman X-29, in the 1990s. The end of the Soviet Union should delay the first flight of the Su-47 "Berkut" however, this took place only in 1997. Although a series production was ndachtdacht, it remained with the building of four prototypes, which became by the way also by their appearances on air shows of a broader public admits became. 

Even if the "Berkut" did not go into series production, the experience with the Su-47 certainly provided the basis for the contemporary development of the T-50/ Su-57 project, which Russia will equip with a 5th generation fighter aircraft in the near future. 

 

 

Construction, Painting and Decals

 

The Hobby Boss kit scores with its cleanly cast shapes, sharp surface edges and consistently good fitting accuracy. However, this positive verdict is somewhat dampened by a clear lack of attention to detail. Cockpit, landing gear bays as well as the well visible landing gear as a whole have to be detailed. 

 

 

In the cockpit, therefore, a harness designed close to the original and a whole lot of suitable etched parts from the leftover box as well as other improvised material were used, also the mentioned landing gear shafts were breathed life into with wires of different calibers. 

The paintwork was done with acrylic paints by Gunze, whereby I tried to pay special attention to an adequate - and also locally adjusted - gloss level of the different surfaces. 

 

 

The decals could be applied flawlessly and without any difficulties, only the in my opinion somewhat too bright red tone of the stars I would like to note as a small deficiency. 

 

 

Conclusion

 

In conclusion, I would like to recommend this kit to everyone who is interested! It undoubtedly represents a great and also sympathetically inexpensive basis to build a really respectable model of this spectacular test vehicle. Even built from the box, the result is impressive due to the considerable size and the attractive shapes of the prototype. With a little initiative you can turn this kit into a real eye-catcher in your showcase. 

 

  • Hobby Boss 1/72 Su-47 Berkut by Roland Sachsenhofer: Image
  • Hobby Boss 1/72 Su-47 Berkut by Roland Sachsenhofer: Image
  • Hobby Boss 1/72 Su-47 Berkut by Roland Sachsenhofer: Image
  • Hobby Boss 1/72 Su-47 Berkut by Roland Sachsenhofer: Image
  • Hobby Boss 1/72 Su-47 Berkut by Roland Sachsenhofer: Image
  • Hobby Boss 1/72 Su-47 Berkut by Roland Sachsenhofer: Image
  • Hobby Boss 1/72 Su-47 Berkut by Roland Sachsenhofer: Image
  • Hobby Boss 1/72 Su-47 Berkut by Roland Sachsenhofer: Image
  • Hobby Boss 1/72 Su-47 Berkut by Roland Sachsenhofer: Image
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If you are interested in the building process, please have a look here on Scalemates: 

https://www.scalemates.com/profiles/mate.php?id=10148&p=albums&album=48169

As ever, remarks will be appreciated: ro.sachsenhofer@gmx.at


Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2019 by Roland Sachsenhofer
Page Created 15 August, 2019
Last Updated 15 August, 2019

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