Sukhoi Su-1 – the USSR fighter

Sukhoi Su-1 (I-135) – the Soviet experimental high-altitude fighter of World War II. 2 prototypes of the aircraft were produced. The resolution of the Defense Committee “On the development of new experimental fighter aircraft in 1939-1940” obliged the chief constructor P. O. Sukhoi and the director of the factory Neystad to design and produce two single-seat fighters, armed with cannons. They were to be submitted for state tests in March and July 1940. The aircraft was designed as a high-altitude fighter. The first prototype I-135 (from December 1940 - Su-1) was manufactured at the Kharkov plant on May 25, 1940. On June 15 pilot A. P. Cherniavsky took to the air for the first time. On August 3 he accidentally landed with the landing gear retracted, but the aircraft was only slightly damaged, but the tests were interrupted. After the repair was completed, P. M. Popelyushenko continued the I-135 tests from mid-October. On October 2 an engine broke down during the flight, but the pilot managed to land the machine. On November 10, after the engine was replaced, due to Popelyushenko's illness, the tests were continued by pilot V. P. Fyodorov. The tests continued until the end of April 1941. All the main characteristics of the aircraft were measured, at an altitude of 10 km, reaching a speed of 641 km/h. But the turbocharger was not reliable, and without it the fighter loosed in vertical maneuvers for the already serially produced Yak-1. The second prototype of the I-135 was completed at the Kharkov plant under the leadership of P. D. Grushin. It differed from the first in a smaller wing area. This machine was designated Su-3 and all the changes were made to it, as well as the Su-1. In January 1941 the unfinished aircraft was transported to factory No. 289, where it arrived on January 17. It never took to the air due to heavy snow at the airfield. On April 16, 1941 work on the Su-1 and Su-3 was stopped "due to the revealed inaccuracy of further design, production and testing work". The further fate of the machines is unknown.

A small model of a small airplane - perfectly designed and quite richly detailed, suitable for modelers of any experience. Only beginners and those, with little experience, should work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague and decide whether to make a full model, or a model with opaque cockpit windows, without cockpit equipment and with the landing gear retracted. The model has excellent detailing of the cockpit, landing gear, landing gear niche equipment and exterior detailing. Where necessary, the details are printed double-sided, there is a considerable supply of colors, textual instruction in Russian, Polish, English and German - only an explanation of conventional designations. The graphical instructions are excellent, quite detailed, informative and easy to read.