The Su-25 (NATO name: Frogfoot) is a subsonic, single-seat, twin engine aircraft developed in 1975 by Sukhoi. Designed to provide close air support for the Warsaw Pact ground forces, the Grach (or Rook) has seen much action over the years, from Iraq, Afghanistan, Darfur, Ukraine and as recently in Syria. This decal sheet focuses on Ukrainian aircraft.

The sheet is printed in Ukraine by Decograph on blue backing paper, clearly printed and in register. Carrier film is minimal. The sheet provides markings for two schemes – one in a tan-medium green and dark green splinter scheme circa 2004, and another with medium green with dark green “clovers,” circa 2008-2015. Some of the aircraft in the latter scheme were involved in the 2014-2015 conflict with Russian-backed separatists, and includes a few that were shot down. There are decals for eight planes, but nine schemes over all (one of them have both paint schemes for the same airframe).

This book comprises twenty-two segments each covering a different aircraft design. The heavy fighter concept was one that was tried out by many different nations. In theory these aircraft were to perform a variety of missions such as ground attack, bomber protection/escort as well as reconnaissance without the aid of single engine fighters. More often than not it was found that the heavy fighters needed their own single engine fighter escort for protection on missions.

Many of the aircraft covered in this book are by lesser-known designers and thus the aircraft themselves are lesser known as well. Many of these designers struggled within Stalin’s government where failure was almost certainly to catch the ire of the communists in charge. The communist government and Stalin’s purges lead to an exodus of many bright technicians and engineers. This in turned caused issues with the ability to design reliable engines thus requiring many to be imported.

Brengun brings us an improved version of the metal 75 gallon drop tanks used on all types of US fighter aircraft during WWII. You get two tanks cast in resin, a PE fret with caps and a small decal sheet with labels and stencils for the tanks. Casting blocks are attached to front of each part and come off easily. A little touch up was required since the attachment points from the blocks left minor dimples and there were a few pin holes to fill. I painted the tanks aluminum per the directions. The PE caps fit the provided recesses just right. Decaling proved easy as they went down with micro set. The only gripe here is the stencil blocks are just colored stripes without writing on them.