The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 (NATO reporting name: Flogger) is a variable-geometry fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union. It is considered to belong to the Soviet third-generation jet fighter category, along with similarly aged Soviet fighters such as the MiG-25 "Foxbat". It was the first attempt by the Soviet Union to design look-down/shoot-down radar and one of the first to be armed with beyond visual range missiles, and the first MiG production fighter aircraft to have intakes at the sides of the fuselage. Production started in 1970 and reached large numbers with over 5,000 aircraft built. Today the MiG-23 remains in limited service with various export customers.

The basic design was also used as the basis for the Mikoyan MiG-27, a dedicated ground-attack variant. Among many minor changes, the MiG-27 replaced the MiG-23's nose-mounted radar system with an optical panel holding a laser designator and a TV camera. Ground-attack variants of the MiG-23 were also produced, and these generally saw better export success, retaining more multi-mission capability.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a MiG-23 "Flogger-B" fighter that was attached to the Soviet Union's 787th IAP, then deployed to Eberswalde, Finow AB, Brandenburg, East Germany, during the 1970s. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-3/4-inches
Length: 9-1/4-inches

Release Date: July 2016

Historical Account: "Red Stars Over Europe" - In 1970 the Soviet Air Force 787th IAP (Istrebitelniy Aviatsionniy Polk) (Fighter Aviation Regiment began operations in Eberswalde, Finow AB, Brandenburg, East Germany not far from Berlin. At this time they were equipped with MiG-21s and in 1976 received the new MiG-23Ms and MiG-23UB two-seaters. The 787th IAP was originally activated in 1941 as the 423rd IAP PVO and in 1942 renamed 787th IAP PVO with the final name change to 787th IAP coming in 1951. The 787th IAP was eventually disbanded in 1993.

From 1945 to 1949, the regiments of the 16th Guards Fighter Aviation Division included the 19th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, 20th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, and 152nd Fighter Aviation Regiment. 152 IAP disbanded during this period and was replaced by 773 IAP. From its formation from the 258th Aviation Division, to February 1945, it was attached to 14th Army. It was then reassigned to the Belomorsky Military District until 1953. Thereafter it joined the 16th Air Army as part of the Group of Soviet Forces in Germany. Its headquarters was at Damgarten from October 1953 for many years. As a fighter formation in Germany it appears that it would have faced the NATO air forces in Allied Air Forces Central Europe had any conflict broken out.

Two regiments were converted to Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiments (19th Guards and 20th Guards) in 1961, and were replaced by two Fighter Aviation Regiments (33rd and 787th), from the 125th Fighter Aviation Division.