Maquette à monter - Su-33 FLANKER D KINETIC 1/48e

The Su-33 Flanker-D is an all-weather carrier-based twin-engine air superiority fighter designed by Sukhoi. It is a derivative of the Su-27 and was initially known as the Su-27K. First used in operations in 1995 aboard the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, the fighter officially entered service in August 1998. Following the break-up of the Soviet Union and the subsequent downsizing of the Russian Navy, only 24 aircraft were produced.

Compared with the Su-27, the Su-33 has a strengthened undercarriage and structure, folding wings and stabilators, all for carrier operations. The wings are larger than on land-based aircraft for increased lift. The Su-33 has upgraded engines and a twin nose wheel, and is air refuelable.

The Su-33 carries guided missiles such as the R-73 and R-27E on twelve hardpoints, supplemented by the 150-round 30 mm GSH- 30-1. It can carry an assortment of unguided rockets, bombs and cluster bombs for secondary air-to-ground missions.

The aircraft can be used in both night and day operations at sea. The radar used, "Slot Back", has been speculated to have poor multi-target tracking. making the Su-33 reliant on other radar platforms and airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft like the Kamov Ka-31 early-warning helicopter The R-27EM missiles have the capability to intercept anti-ship missiles. The infra-red search and track (IRST) system is placed to provide better downward visibility.