Hobby Master 1/72 MIG-23ML Flogger Red 340, JG-9 "Heinrich Rau", East German Air Force (GDR), 1990 Diecast Airplane

In the 1960’s the Soviet military required a replacement for the MiG-21 that could compete with the USAF F-14 Tomcat. It had to be very fast, rapid acceleration, carry a larger payload, capable of a high service ceiling, long range and beyond visual range intercept capabilities. The project was given to the Mikoyan- Gurevich Design Bureau that produced the Model 23-11 that first flew on June 10, 1967. Production began in 1969 and eventually completed over 5,000 swing-wing MiG-23s. A ground-attack variant was also produced, the MiG-27.

MiG-23ML c/n 0390324249 was delivered to the East German Air Force Jagfliegergeschwader 9 'Heinrich Rau', Peenemunde AB in 1990 in July 1982 with serial Red 610. With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990 this aircraft and others were later absorbed into the unified German AF and recoded 20+37. Not long after this, the aircraft was placed into storage and in August 1993 it was sent to Fassberg AB Technical School to be used as a ground trainer. The aircraft Camo scheme is Brown/Dark Brown/Olive Green/Medium Green on top and blue on the underside.

Country of Origin:	Soviet Union
Manufacturer:	Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau
Role:	Fighter-Interceptor
Crew:	1 Pilot (2 X for the MiG-23UB and the MiG-23UM
First Flight:	June 10, 1967
Dimensions
Length:	54 ft 8 ins (16.71 m) including nose probe
Wingspan:	Fully Swept – 26 ft 7 ins (7.78 m)
	Fully Spread – 45 ft 8 ins (13.97 m)
Weight:
Empty:	22,440 lbs (10,200 kg)
Maximum take-off:	39,160 lbs (17,800 kg)
Performance
Power Plant:	1 X Soyuz/Tumansky R-35-300 Afterburning Turbojet
Thrust:	28,600 lbs (13,000 kg)
Maximum speed:	1,553 mph (2,500 kmh)
Service Ceiling:	60,680 ft (18,500 m)
Range:	1,211 miles (1,950 km)
Armament:	1 X GSh-23L 23mm Two-Barrel Cannon w/200 Rounds
Maximum External Weapons Load:	6,600 lbs (3,000 kg)
Weapons Options:	AAMs and ASMs
	R-3 (AA-2 Atoll)
	R-13R (AA-2-2 Atoll-C)
	R-13M (AA-2-2 Atoll-D)
	R-23R (AA-7 Apex)
	R-23T (AA-7 Apex)
	R-24R (AA-7 Apex)
	R-24T (AA-7 Apex)
	R-60 (AA-8 Aphid)
	R-60M (AA-8 Aphid)
	Unguided Rockets
	S-5
	S-8
	S-24
	Unguided Bombs
	FAB-250
	FAB-500
	OFAB-100 Fragmentation Bombs
	Cluster Bombs
	ZAB-500 Napalm Bombs
	UPK-23 250 Pods with a GSh-23L Cannon
Known variants:	MiG-23B, MiG-23BN, MiG-23BK, MiG-23BM, MiG-23BN, MiG-23M, MiG-23MF, MiG-23ML MiG-23MLA, MiG-23MLD, MiG-23MS, MiG-23P, MiG-23S, MiG-23UB, MiG-23UM, MiG-24 (export MiG-23)