Hello Forum,
I would like to eventually build some modern Russian aircraft (maybe SU-33 or SU-30), and have been seeing alot of the Zvezda kits around (typically 1:72). Do any of you have experience w/ this manufacturer? How is their mold quality and accuracy? Thanks
Zvezda is a mixed bag.
Some of their older stuff is nasty, their SU-27 flanker kits are horrible.
However, their Sukhoi SU-25 Frogfoot is quite nice and I suspect their SU-30 is also good. Their MiG-1.44 is gorgeous and very well engineered, its also available in Revell Germany boxing. Their 1/144 Tupolev TU-160 Blackjack is a real work of art.
They have a 1/72 MiG-31 Foxhound which I’ve heard isn’t bad.
Not long ago they reissued the old Italeri/Dragon 1/72 SU-24 fencer which was not bad for a western made kit of it in the days of the cold war, but is rather innacurate on many fronts. A better bet for a 1/72 Fencer is from a Russian outfit called Streem, but that kit is quite difficult to get.
Fair to say is that Zvezda has improved its quality significantly over the past few years, but the old ones are still out there.