Sukhoi Su-15 (1949) Model-Kom in 1/33

[Isaac]

My next build of first generation Soviet jet aircraft is this unique and unusual looking Sukhoi Su-15 first designation ( later designation was the Su-15 Flagon which is a different aircraft ).

This thread is new and follows my initial one from 2017 when I was gathering information and then purchased the kit and accessories.
Model-Kom Suchoi Su-15 first version



This model follows my recent builds of the Yakovlev Yak-23 : Yak-23 Flora repaint by MacSongLi


and the Lavochkin La-150: Lavochkin La-150 1/33 scale

Mig-9
Mig-9 Papermodeling in 1/33 scale


Background:
This aircraft belongs to the Pod and Boom configuration. However, unlike the others, it is a twin engine aircraft in which the engines are positioned in tandem. There is a forward engine exhausting below and an aft engine exhausting straight thru the tail.

This aircraft was a prototype for an all weather interceptor carrying a small radar dish in a nose cone.

The inlet was bifurcated ( separated ) to feed one engine each. The radar is located just above the inlets and is really part of that aerodynamics. The elongated inlets and the radar gives this plane an almost comical looking frontage like a smiling pre historic shark.

Note: Some people may think that the British BAC Lightning which was also a twin engine fighter is also a tandem engine configuration, but it is not. Those engines are actually one on top of the other and staggered a bit for a smoother air S duct to the upper engine.



A bit more here :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-15_(1949)

Here is an old cut away of the aircraft showing the twin engine layout.



a 3 view




and some photos of the actual plane



Interesting


Isaac

[Isaac]

The kit is published by the Polish company Model-Kom. I purchased the kit, laser frames and canopy from GPM. I have been studying the model for a while including the finished model (looked like a Beta build ) pictures on their web site:

MODEL-KOM

Overall, the paper and overall metallic color is good quality. The illustrations are clear and are my primary means of instructions. It would have been helpful to have some more detailed sketches on some of the sub assemblies ( like the inlet and the vertical tail assembly to the fuselage.

Here are the pages




and the instructions.




and a picture of the finished model from the Model-Kom site:


the laser frames and vacuformed canopy



lastly,
There is also an engine that can be built and displayed if you split the fuselage


but , I will not build it as it destructs from the unusual lines.



Isaac

[hyair]

Dear Isaac - in every beauti contest the Vautour will win hands down !!!
Also to put engines in nacelles it's a much better idea !!!
Yair

[Isaac]

Originally Posted by hyair

Dear Isaac - in every beauti contest the Vautour will win hands down !!!
Also to put engines in nacelles it's a much better idea !!!
Yair

Yair

Since the early radial flow compressor jet engines were kind of large diameter, the concept here was to reduce cross section of the fuselage. So they thought they could help matters by staggering them in tandem which is probably not the best from the point of view of thrust. Also, this was designed to intercept large bombers, so there was no need for it to dog fight.

In any case it always takes a few iterations to get what you want.

The Vautour is a very elegant solution for its time. I had fun enlarging the 1/50 scale repaint version and looking forward to Yoav's new design.


Isaac

[Isaac]

The fuselage comes in 15 sections. In addition there are 5 more in the nose housing the radar. So lots of parts and keeping it all straight will be challenging. At least it appears to be computer generated geometry, so I trust that the design is OK and any errors will be the builder's.

Here are the parts



of interest and bafflement is why some of the glue strips have a different shape then their mating parts. I was never able to figure it out or assemble it. So those strips will have more notches on both sides to accommodate the mating fuselage sections.



Rolled and ready.



Isaac

[juan angel 747]

It is very similar to the F-86D sabre

[MacSongLi]

Isaac,


With that odd shaped fuselage, it will be really interesting to see it come together. You're off to a great start.


Gary

[Isaac]

Originally Posted by MacSongLi

Isaac,


With that odd shaped fuselage, it will be really interesting to see it come together. You're off to a great start.


Gary

Not the easiest of models to build!

Isaac

[Isaac]

The construction of the fuselage will be as such:



-forward section thru the cockpit area
-the air inlets in the nose
-forward landing gear bay
-fuselage continues aft
-center section with wing spar cut outs and main gear bays
-lower engine exhaust
-aft fuselage boom.



the build can be performed either from front to back or back to front as long as the fuselage mates at section 14 ( where the lower engine exhaust is located ).


Isaac

[MacSongLi]

Isaac,


At least the nose isn't petals. Will you use a wooden dowel for that?


Gary