The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 (NATO reporting name: Foxbat) is a supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft that was among the fastest military aircraft to enter service. It was designed by the Soviet Union's Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau. The first prototype flew in 1964, and the aircraft entered into service in 1970. It has a top speed of Mach 2.83 (Mach 3.2 is possible but at risk of significant damage to the engines), and features a powerful radar and four air-to-air missiles.

When first seen in reconnaissance photography, the large wing planform suggested an enormous and highly maneuverable fighter, at a time when U.S. design theories were also evolving towards higher maneuverability due to combat performance in the Vietnam War. The appearance of the MiG-25 sparked serious concern in the West and prompted dramatic increases in performance for the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle then under development in late 1960s. The capabilities of the MiG-25 were better understood in 1976 when Soviet pilot Viktor Belenko defected in a MiG-25 to the United States via Japan. It turned out that the aircraft's weight necessitated its large wings.

Production of the MiG-25 series ended in 1984 after completion of 1,190 aircraft. A symbol of the Cold War, the MiG-25 flew with Soviet allies and former Soviet republics, remaining in limited service in Russia and several other nations. It is the highest-flying and the second fastest military aircraft ever fielded after the SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a Soviet Air Defense Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25P "Foxbat-A" Interceptor that was attached to the 146th GvIAP, 8th Air Defence Army, then deployed to the Vasilkov Air Base in 1985. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-3/4-inches
Length: 13-inches

Release Date: February 2018

Historical Account: "Defending the Motherland" - The 8th Separate Army of the Air Defence Forces was a Soviet military formation established in 1960. Its Army headquarters was in Kiev, Ukrainian SSR.

The 8th air defense army was formed in March 1960 on the basis of the Kiev Air Defense Army on the basis of the Directive of the General Staff of the Air Defense Forces. Previously the Kiev Air Defence Region had air defence responsibility for the area. In 1988. it comprised the 49th and 60th Air Defence Corps.

The last commander of the army, General-Lieutenant Mikhail Lopatin (1989-1992), became the first commander of the Ukrainian Air Defense Forces, and retired as a colonel-general.