With the 1/48 Sukhoi Su-9 Fishpot, Trumpeter adds to the growing list of new-tool Soviet aircraft that have been ignored for too long.
The Su-9 was a heavy, all-weather interceptor designed to counter U.S. and NATO bombers. The Fishpot bears a strong resemblance to the MiG-21 Fishbed, but the two should not be confused – the Su-9 is far larger.
Trumpeter’s Su-9 is a relatively simple kit, comprising just over 110 parts and straightforward engineering that recalls their earlier MiG-21F-13.
Detail is restrained, perhaps too restrained. Panel lines and hatches are refined, with some minor rivet detail in places, although the prominent rivet lines around the nose are absent. Cockpit detail is a bit soft and not up to the standards seen with other recent Trumpeter releases like the A-37 Dragonfly. Aftermarket KM-3 ejection seats and AA-1 Alkali missiles are already available to enhance the kit’s detail, and cockpits, wheels and other items should be coming soon.
The kit decals are spartan, but so are the schemes they represent – both bare metal with red stars and numbers.
Fit is extremely good. Square plugs locate the shock cone and help align the fuselage. The wings and stabilators are push fit and should present no problems. The tail wobbles a bit, but should align nicely once glue is applied.
Overall, the Trumpeter Su-9 should be an easy, stress-free build. What it lacks in some detail it makes up for in simple, no-fuss engineering.
Doogs Models 
HI,
How would you go about finding a solution eliminating the inside seem top and bottom of the intake⦠That has to be tricky as the nosecone gives little space to manoeuvre a sanding stick or sandpaperâ¦
Thanks for the review
Mattias
That’s a tricky one for sure. On the MiG-21F-13 it wasn’t such a big deal since the shock cone assembly hid most of the seam, and the nose ring was a separate piece.
One option could be opening up the forward end of the shock cone mounting lugs inside the fuselage. That way you could access the intake post-gluing to fill and sand, then slot the shock gone in when you’re done.
That said, that’s probably the biggest frustration point of this build and I’m kinda surprised they didn’t use the separate nose ring approach.