Valom 1/72 Sukhoi
Su-6 AM-42
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History
According to the instruction sheet, the Su-6 AM-42 was Sukhoi's answer
to replace the ageing Il-2. They took their Su-6, mounted the more powerful
AM-42 engine on it and entered it into competition. In all truthfulness,
the Il-10 was the better machine so it beat out the Su-6 AM-42. There
were six Su-6 AM-42s made.
The Kit
Valom is a new kit manufacturer out of the Czech Republic. The Su-6
AM-42 is their first of two releases (the other being a Japanese-type)
and is extremely well done in the "short range" variety. If
the level of quality is this high in all of their kits, then Valom is
a kit manufacturer to watch.
 The
Su-6 AM-42 kit consists of 45 injected molded kits in gray, a vac formed
sheet consisting of two canopies (in case one is ruined during assembly
- thank you for the spare Valom!) and covers for the leading edge lights,
a sheet of nickle steel photoetch and a decal sheet consisting of six
stars. Overall the plastic is extremely well done and the decals are in
register. While the panel lines may be a little deep, it's nothing to
be concerned about, as a coat or two of paint will help fill them.
Construction starts with the very well done cockpit. The cockpit consists
of a tub which has the floors for both the pilot and the rear gunner;
plastic seat, control column, rear bulkhead and instrument panel backing.
Photoetch provides the seat belts, instrument panel (along with the usual
- and much appreciated - clear film providing the instruments); and the
tops for the side consoles.
The cockpit doesn't have to be inserted into the fuselage before closing
the fuselage halves - the underside of the fuselage is cut out for the
wing to sit in. This means the cockpit will be able to be placed almost
perfectly after all (if any) seam removal is done on the fuselage. Photoetch
helps out here in the form of the "sling" for the rear gunner
to sit on as well as the gun sight and its mounting "bracket".
While the instructions show you mount the exhausts now, there is no need
as the area behind the exhausts are blanked off, meaning you can add them
after the model is painted. An extremely nice touch. However, it is here
the plastic components appear to be not as nice as the rest. The exhausts
aren't that well molded and will require some judicious cleaning and defining.
I'm not sure if there are any Moskit exhausts that could be substituted
for the kit exhausts, but it's something one might want to research.
 Once
the fuselage and internals are all finished the kit's main construction
continues. Gluing on the wing's undersurface as well as the wings' uppersurfaces;
gluing on the horizontal tails (which is a butt join which may require
some sort of pins), adding the landing gear and other external details.
The undercarriage is an area that Valom has used photoetch to good advantage.
All landing gear doors are photoetch which means they're nicely in scale.
An "bumps and protrusions" are provided for in plastic.
Construction continues with the addition of the canopy and other small
details including the chin scoop. I would only add the chin scoop and
photoetched grill and leave the other small parts off until last. One
aspect where the plastic shines is the rear-facing gun. An extremely nicely
molded and detailed piece of plastic. With the right wash and drybrushing
the gun will definitely seem life-like.
Bombs are catered for in the kit, the bodies being plastic with the
fins coming off the photoetch fret.
Since the Su-6 AM-42 was only a prototype, colors would be mainly A-24m
Green uppersurfaces with AII Blue undersurfaces. In addition, since it's
only a prototype there would have been no markings except for stars in
the usual places.
Conclusion
This is an awesome first model from Valom! While the subject may seem
odd to some, being a prototype, I personally thank Valom for taking the
chance and producing the Su-6 AM-42. It's a very handsome aircraft. This
kit is highly recommended and I'm looking forward to seeing more - especially
more VVS - from Valom
Our thanks to Valom for providing the review sample. | 
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