Hobby Master Archive

In 1999 Russia decided to upgrade their aging Su-25 aircraft with actual work beginning in 2001. The first of the upgraded aircraft designated Su-25SM (Stroyevoy Modernizirovannyi) Grach (Rook) flew on March 3, 2002 with the first six modernized aircraft entering service with the Russian Air Force in December 2006. The idea behind the modernization was to expand the life of the Su-25, make it All-Weather capable, more lethal and reduce operating and maintenance cost. Increased ordnance loads and a wider selection were also added.

The 378th OShaP (Independent Attack Aviation Regiment) was formed in November 1984 made up by the 1st AE (Aviatsionnaya Eskadrilya - Aviation Squadron) stationed at Bagram and the 2nd AE at Kandahar. The regiment consisted of twenty two Su-25s, fourteen at Bagram and eight at Kandahar. The third rotation of personnel took place between October 1986 and October 1987. Between November 1986 and February 1987 four Su-25s were lost due to Stinger Missiles used by the Mujahedeen. Su-25 defenses were upgraded as well as new tactics were developed.

General Sukhoi Su-25 Specifications Manufacturer - Sukhoi Design Bureau Role - Close Air Support (CAS)

Number Built - 1,024 User Countries - Approximately 28 Crew - 1 (Pilot)

Dimensions Length - 15.53 m (51 ft) including nose probe Wingspan - 14.3 m (47 ft 2 in) Height - 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)

Weight Empty - 9,800 kg (21,605 lbs) Normal Take-Off - 14,400 kg (31,835 lbs) Maximum Take-Off - 19,300 kg (42,549 lbs)

Performance Power Plants - 2 X Soyuz/Tumansky R-195 Turbojets Producing 44.18 kN (9,921 lbf) Per Engine Maximum Speed - Mach .079 (975 km/h) (606 mph) @ Sea Level Rate Of Climb - 58 m/s (11,400 ft/min)

Service Ceiling Clean - 7,000 m (23,000 ft) With Ordnance - 5,000 m (16,000 ft)

Range Cruise Clean @ Altitude - 1,000 km (621 nmi) Combat Range 750 km (405 nmi) @ Sea Level With 4,400 kg (9,700 lbs) Of Ordnance and 2 External Fuel Tanks Maximum G’s - 6.5 g+

Armament Guns 1 X 30 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-2 Auto-Cannon With 250 Rounds SPPU-22 Gun Pods To House 2 X 23 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 Auto-Cannons With 260 Rounds Hard-Points 11 For Maximum Load of 4,400 kg (9,700 lbs) Of Various Combinations Rockets UB-32A Rocket Pods For S-5 Rockets B-8M1 Rocket Pods For S-8 Rockets S-13 S-24 S-25 Missiles Air-To-Air K-13A R-60 R-73E Air-To-Surface Kh-23 Kh-25ML Kh-29L Anti-Radiation Kh-28 Bombs FAB-250 GPB FAB-500 GPB KAB-500K TV-Guided ZB-500 Incendiary Other ASO-2V Chaff and Flare Dispensers Some Su-25 Deployed in Syria Carried 4 Rows of ASO-2V Dispensers Along Upper Tail Cone Surface Behind Vertical Stabilizer Radar - Phazoton Kopyo

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA6103 Su-25 “Frogfoot” Red 59, 378. OShAP, VVS, USSR attached to air forces of the 40th Army, Bagram AB, Afghanistan 1986

True 1/72 scale.

Professionally painted.

Great attention to detail.

All markings are Tampoed (pad applied).

Option to display the model on a stand that is provided.

Model can be shown with the landing gear in the down or up positions.

Canopy can be displayed open or closed.

Pilot figure included.

Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic.

Highly collectable.