A fairly detailed Su-17 "Fitter", as part of my "famous Soviets" series... getting closer to what you might call "videogame quality" models, but not quite there yet. I'll keep trying though ;)

HISTORY

Sukhoi's Su-17 attack plane was a development of the Su-7, a rugged swept-wing attack fighter dating back to 1955. To improve the range and performance of the Su-7, Sukhoi modified the aircraft with pivoting swing-wings to produce the Su-17. Western sources originally assumed the Su-17 was nothing more than an experimental aircraft with a crude attempt to test variable geometry wing technology.

No such luck; the modified design proved so successful that the Soviet Union proceeded with a production model known as the Su-17M 'Fitter-C'. This model also featured a new more powerful and fuel efficient engine as well as an improved navigation and attack system. An export version of the Su-17M was known as the Su-20. Fitted with less sophisticated avionics, the Su-20 was delivered to a number of Soviet allies. Among the operators of the Su-20 have been Poland, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Egypt, Iraq, North Korea, Syria, Algeria, and Angola.

Additional models entered production during the mid-1970s. The final production models were the Su-17M4 and Su-22M4 'Fitter-K' optimized for high performance during low-level strike missions. These models feature much more capable avionics systems than earlier models. The 'Fitter-K' variants are also capable of carrying a wide variety of precision-guided weapons and advanced air-to-air missiles.

Production of the Su-17 family finally ended in 1990 after about 1,200 had been built, including about 500 for export customers. The Su-17, Su-20, and Su-22 remain in service througout the Russian republics, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Several upgrade programs have been offered, but many of the remaining examples will likely be replaced by versions of the Su-25 and Su-27.

THE BUILD

This is a generic Su-17 (no specific model/year) in Soviet livery. It's also my first attempt at a swing-wing plane. It features all the bare necessities of course -working swing-wings, custom control surfaces and air brakes, custom landing gear, and too much fine detail. There's nothing ground-breaking about it. The plane has realistic weight and fuel capacity, so it comes equipped with two PTB-800 drop tanks to extend its range.

ARMAMENT

The plane has a relatively normal loadout for a "Fitter"; the Su-17 can carry a wide array of weapons on its many hardpoints, making it difficult to choose. This one is equipped with;

• Two Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30 cannons (30 mm) with 100 rounds each, suitable for air & ground targets
• Two Vympel R-60 (AA-8 "Aphid") AAM's for self-defense
• Two UB-32-57 rocket pods for ground attacks
• One Kh-29 (AS-14 "Kedge") air-to-surface missile
• BVP-50-60 flare/chaff dispensers, mounted on the plane's back

The drop tanks unfortunately occupy two hardpoints, reducing the weapons capacity of the plane. You're welcome to throw those away and replace them with something else, but that will cost you 1600 liters of fuel.
Theoretically, the Su-17 would be capable of carrying two Kh-29's... but on the pictures I found they only have a single one on the centerline, so I stuck with that. Because of the Kh-29's size, it does make some sense.

CONTROLS

Nothing exotic, no difficult AG combo's;

AG1: toggle wing sweep angle
AG2: air brakes
AG3: drag chute
...
AG7: dump PTB-800 drop tanks
AG8: nav/collision lights

Have fun exploring this one. I like it, at least; it looks mean & ugly, has the ability to carry some nasty hardware, and performs decently on low-speed attack runs.