1/72 KP and Toga MiG-21s

by Charles Kalina

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The famous MiG-21 (NATO reporting name FISHBED, or MONGOL for the two-seat version) made up the bulk of Iraq's fighter inventory.  When faced with U.S. and allied airpower the Iraqi Air Force relied on their small number of more advanced fighters, including the MiG-23, MiG-25, MiG-29 and Mirage F-1.  The FISHBED force was in storage or derelict by the time coalition forces occupied Iraq in 2003.

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The one-seat MiG-21MF (FISHBED-J) was built from a KP kit kindly donated to the Baghdad Hobby Club by IPMS Three Rivers in Pittsburg.  Markings are from a Techmod decal sheet and depict an aircraft circa 1991. 

The two-seat MiG-21UM (MONGOL-B) was built from a Toga-brand kit, and was of relatively poor quality compared to the KP article.  The national insignia are also from Techmod, and the serial number on the nose was homemade.  The number and camouflage scheme represent an aircraft recovered by coalition forces at Samara Air Base in June of 2003 (shown in one of the photos below).

Ma'a as-salamah,

--CPK

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Photos and text © by Charles Kalina