Begemot 1/48 Sukhoi Su-24M from the Russian VKS in Syria Decals
By Scott Hackney
Long title for a decal sheet. What else would you expect from Begemot, a Russian decal manufacturer known for getting all the details right. We all watched with interest when the Russians deployed into Syria in October of 2015. It was a bold and unexpected move by Putin to prop up the Assad Regime. Some of the best Russian aircraft deployed and nobody knew where they came from because all the markings were painted out - really. The paint didn't quite match and was just a bit sloppy. The Russians had been planning this for a while. The aircrew had tan flightsuits, the ground crew tan shorts and floppy hats. (I wish I had shorts in the desert.) Russian air operations have been going on for several years in Syria, and there are enough photos to show paint, weathering , and war loads. Now comes the decals and Begemot has given us the ability to reproduce one of the workhorses of the Syrian Campaign – the Su-24 Fencer.
The sheet provides markings for fifteen different aircraft from the beginning of the deployment in the fall of 2015 to the winter of 2016. Included is the Su-24 shot down by the Turkish F-16. As we said the initial deployment, all the markings were painted over and there are several of those jets depicted. Then the stars and other markings returned over the mismatched paint used to cover the originals. I guess the secret was out. To help create Fencers with painted out markings and then repainted Begemot has provided masks - nice touch. As the new jets arrived their paint was unblemished by attempts to hide their identities. In your package from Begemot you receive the decals, masks, stencils and directions to cover how to create fifteen jets including mission markings. Each jet is described as to how it appeared to give an idea on how to weather it. If you search the internet for Su-24s in Syria there are many pictures to help create a masterpiece. You'll have more information on how to paint your Fencer and how to load it up for a mission over Syria. Fascinated by Russian subjects, Russians in Syria, or looking to try your skill at a heavily weathered modern combat aircraft, this sheet is for you. The Begemot sheet is available in 1/72nd and 1/48th as is the Su-24. Give it a try.
We definitely send thanks to Begemot for sending the decals to review.