Begemot 1/48 Sukhoi Su-35S, new generation of the Flanker Decals
By Scott Hackney
OK, how about decals for the ultimate the Flanker. The Su-35 is the latest and most formidable in a long line of Russian Flankers. It's defined as a generation 4++ aircraft. An F-15 is generation 4, an F-22 generation 5. A Su-35 Flanker E is an upgraded Su-27 with advanced radar; improved avionics and weapons capabilities is 4 plus plus. Not quite 5, but pretty darn close.
Russia has produced and deployed the Su-35 including sending its newest multi role fighter to Syria. During the years that Russia tested and matured the Su-35 it's been in a variety of colorful camouflage schemes. With that in mind and a newly released 1/48th scale Kittyhawk Su-35, Begemot decided the time was right to capture the Flanker E in decals. In true Begemot form they did it right with 20 different Su-35s depicted on their sheet. Every scheme a Flanker E has worn is depicted here included jets that participated in Syrian operations.
The sheet explains in fair amount of detail each and every aircraft. There is no doubt as to the history and modifications and paint of each jet. The first couple of aircraft on the sheet are prototypes and while they have interesting paint jobs, kits would have to be modified to depict these aircraft. They lack the Su-35s taller tails for one thing.
With each jet Begemot explains what to look for instead of having study the directions in a "Where's Waldo" pursuit. This one has no slime lights. This one the stars are higher, no colors on the tail - refreshing. I read somewhere that the slime lights are sourced out of country and sometimes they are hard to come by.
The Kittyhawk kit is nice looking, but as always some complaints. One of those complaints is the chaff dispensers on the rear stinger - they are on the top. Early production Su-35s they were on top. Later the dispensers were moved to the bottom. I want to do a Syrian operations jet so my chaff dispensers require surgery - arggh! Begemont explains jet by jet in the latter half of the sheet where the chaff dispensers are so you'll know if your kit has to go under the blade – choose wisely.
There are five Flanker Es on the sheet that served in Syria - one with 50 missions. They flew both air superiority and strike. None of them carried a lot of exotic weapons in combat. AA-10s, AA-11s, and dumb bombs. If you want to use some of the cool ordnance in the kit then Syria is not your theater.
The decals give you stencils for at least one aircraft, probably more. Stencils are also provided for weapons a Su-35 can carry. Three good size sheets make up this offering from Begemot.
Markings for 20 Flankers Es. Stencils for more than one? Plus stencils everything a Su-35 can carry. Buy the decals, pick a jet and get started!
We want to thank Begemot for sending the review set.