A feature that you can quickly notice on the Sukhoi Su-15 Flagon-F is the complicated nose pitot tube. Although Trumpeter made a valiant effort in molding the Su-15 TM pitot tube with its twelve separate vanes, the limits of the injection molding process come into play. I have used another set that used a combination of resin and photo-etch that was an improvement, but assembly was very difficult and the photo-etched vanes don’t really convey their 3-D nature. This Master Model set provides a quantum leap over any previous attempt to portray the Su-15 TM nose pitot tube. As a bonus, Master Model also provides the ability to build the slightly less complex Flagon-A nose pitot tube. I have also listed the Trumpeter Su-15 UM Flagon-G above, but I only have conflicting evidence that this set will help that kit. There should be no problem for the wing mounted pitot, but I have seen a variety of nose pitot tubes for the Flagon-G. If this set is not 100% the correct configuration for the Flagon-G, I would argue that it would get you very close with minimal modification.

Notable is the re-sealable packaging that Master Model uses that makes the parts easy to review and then stuff back into the package securely. The resin parts are secured in a high density foam block that is backed with some sort of adhesive tape to minimize them being moved around, or crushed for that matter. You will want to be careful handling the metal and resin parts as their small size makes them an easy sacrifice to the carpet monster.

This Master Model set provides you with a wing mounted pitot tube and the option to build either a Flagon-A or a Flagon-F nose pitot tube. There are five machined brass parts and two resin parts. Assembling the resin and brass parts is quite simple and only required a few minutes to do.

You will need to cut the styrene wing pitot tube mount off and drill a hole in the wing. The directions call out a 0.9mm (~64) bit for the nose and a 1.0 mm bit (~#60) for the wing. The Trumpeter nose pitot tube utilizes a square base to assure alignment of the vanes, but by drilling a round hole, you will lose that feature. You will want to be very careful to center your drill bit on both your x-axis and y-axis of the pitot tube. I used a #64 carbide drill bit centered in the square receptacle in the nose and had no issues. Make sure you follow the directions to get the proper alignment of the resin vanes. The wing mounted pitot tube will require careful sawing off the pitot stub and then drilling into the wing with a #60 carbide drill bit to insert the wing pitot tube.

Be sure to use your favorite CA (super glue) or epoxy, as the normal plastic glues or solvents will not react with the resin or brass. You will also want to be careful painting the pitot tubes, since paint can easily foul the hollowed out openings.

Highly recommended! These excellent pitot tubes will point you in the right direction!

Thanks to Master Model and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this set.