Reviewed by Ken Bowes

 
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The Su-25 (ASCC reporting name FROGFOOT) was the Soviet Union’s answer to the development of the A-10 Thunderbolt battlefield support aircraft by the United States in the post-Vietnam period. Often compared to the Northrop A-X competitor, the A-9, the Su-25 was deployed widely by Soviet and Allied Air Forces, earning the nickname “the Rook” during its first combat deployment to Afghanistan in 1980. Following the fall of the Soviet Union the Su-25 was widely exported and is often used in the small wars that have characterised the modern era, thanks to its rugged design and ease of operation. This sheet, the first of three planned by Linden Hill according to their website, highlights this widespread deployment, with options covering seven countries including Angola and six European and Central Asian Air Forces.

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Subjects covered in this release are common in both scales (1/48 and 1/32). They are:

• Angola – Su-25K (export Su-25 variant) B-605 Angolan Air Force 1994

• Belarus – Su-25 White 39 2010

• Bulgaria – Su-25 White 195 1987 as delivered from the Soviet Union and White 246 in 2010 displaying changing colour schemes and post Warsaw Pact national markings

• Georgia – Su-25 Red 17 1998 and Blue 16 2008, immediately prior to the short but vicious war with Russia

• Russia – Su-25 Red 05 2001and Red 44 2008, another veteran of the 2008 war with Georgia and an interesting contrast with the options above

• Slovakia – Su-25K (export variant) White 8074 following the breakup of Czechoslovakia in 1995

• Turkmenistan – Su-25 Blue 14 2011, which is provided as way to update Linden Hill’s previous release covering the Turkmenistan Air Force as these airframes have been overhauled and updated since the release of the earlier decal sheets.

As is usual with all Linden Hill sheets covering Russian, WARPAC and Soviet Era subjects all the schemes are well documented with the instructions including notes on the camouflage shades used and even weathering notes to achieve an accurate replica. Of course some of the colour call outs are noted as approximations due to the lack of specific information, but given the tendency for Russian aircraft paints to weather quite dramatically, it is unlikely that any scheme applied would be more than a reflection of the original. Also given the scarcity of references related to Central Asian Republic and FSU air forces any guidance on colours is both very useful and welcome.

The instructions are spread over 6 A4 full colour pages, with not only the schemes but also small details and modifications needed for each subject so that there is no excuse not to get these right.

One thing to note is that unlike previous releases, there are no reference photos included in the instructions, a slight criticism only.

I have used several of Linden Hill’s earlier sheets and have found the decals performed flawlessly without any special techniques required to get the best from them.

Thanks to Linden Hill Imports for the review sample.

Review Copyright © 2011 by Ken Bowes
Page Created 24 November, 2011
Last updated 24 November, 2011

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