Zvezda 1/72 Sukhoi S-37 Berkut

ZVEZDA 1:72 SUKHOI S-37 BERKUT
'INBOX Review'

Reviewer: John Mancini (rec.models.scale)

This is the original Zvezda boxing of this kit – it has been reissued by both Italeri and Revell, the latter I am aware has a replacement decal sheet. This kit came out I believe in 2001 so is relatively new tooling and has engraved panel lines and the usual amount of detail for a kit of this scale and manufactured by Zvezda (ie: not up to mainstream standards but better external detail than some short run kits).

There are 60 parts in total which are packaged in plastic inside a large box, probably larger than really needed, of which 55 are medium grey injection molded plastic parts on 2 main sprues. The parts appear to be quite well molded and whilst there are a few small bits to run your sharp blade over, there really is no flash to speak of. Some sink marks and ejector pin stubs can be found on some parts and will need removal but nearly all are in areas of insignificance.

The level of detail is okay but clearly lacking in some areas as there is a basic tub containing pilot figure, a good replica of an ejection seat, instrument panel with decal as console and side console decal while the wheel wells have no detail other than some rudimentary structural detail. The surface detail looks a bit generic in some areas and undercarriage looks pretty similar to the Flanker kits.

While there are 5 clear parts, two of these make up the stand (something I was surprised to see reintroduced into a new tooling kit) and the rest are for the canopy. The canopy can thus be displayed open and the parts are nice and clear.

There is only the one “01” prototype covered on the decal sheet which is obviously featured on the boxart in an overall black scheme with white radome and some other small areas. Even on the sheet the decals look a tad thin and I can anticipate possibly some brittleness when they are used. The sheet is small and contains unit badges, serials and USSR red stars, there is no stencilling.

Parts breakdown consists of an upper and lower fuselage half onto which a front upper nose section, main (but small) wings, tailplanes and canards are affixed. The intakes are small and separate while engine consists of round exhaust rings which raises the question of accuracy. Overall nothing spectacular other than the change in horizontal split of fuselage, although this is not surprising given the fairings and shape of the forward fuselage sections.

It is difficult to make definitive comments on its accuracy however the kits origins was supposedly a partnership with Sukhoi so one can only assume that most, but not all, features were probably replicated in kit form. This kit looks quite good in the box and I would recommend it to other modellers out there, or if you prefer, get the Italeri or Revell reissues of this kit.

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