The MiG-23MS
was the first MiG-23 "Flogger" variant to be exported outside of the
Warsaw pact. Initial deliveries were made to Syria in 1973, as well as Iraq,
Egypt and Libya. A small number of Soviet MiG-23MS were based at Tokmok (now
part of Kyrgyzstan) to provide training to foreign MiG-23MS pilots and their
crews.
The
MiG-23MS differed from the Soviet MiG-23M in that it featured the Radar,
avionics and weapon systems of the MiG-23MF; its armament consisting of
the older R-3, R-3P or R-13 missiles (NATO designation: AA-2 Atoll
family). Despite this handicap a Syrian MiG-23MS was successful in downing
two Israeli F-4 Phantoms before being itself shot down by a friendly SAM
in 1974.
Libya
was another prominent customer of the MiG-23MS; receiving around 54 machines
starting in 1974. These served as the LARAFs primary fighter into the 1980s, and
saw action against Egypt; where an example was shot down by a Aim-9J equipped
F-6, as well against the USN; resulting in the loss of two aircraft to F-14s. It
is unclear how many examples remain operational, though Zimbabwe and Zaire
both received small numbers of former LARAF MiG-23MS'.
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images below to see larger images
This
is Academy's "MiG-23S" kit, built mostly OOB. Its a repop of an
early Hasegawa model, and despite popular criticism, the kits is basically
accurate for a MiG-23MS. The main modifications to make a MiG-23MS from
the kit consist of:
-
The
removal of the IR sensor underneath the cockpit
-
The
repositioning of the offset under-fuselage aerial to the centre
-
The
replacement of the fuselage missile pylons with spares from another kit
-
Filling
in the leading edge flaps on the wings
I
also added a burner can and pilot from Zvezda kits and R-3 missiles from the
spares box.
The
kit goes together fairly well, though not as precisely as the Hasegawa original.
The kits biggest problem is the intake-fuselage join, which I had to use putty
and plastic card to get seamless.
The
model was brush painted with Humbrol enamels, and weathered moderately heavy.
For markings I chose the older, less known Libyan roundel of an aircraft
deployed to Chad. The Libyan roundel was later changed after the war with Egypt
for easier identification.
Thanks
for looking!!
Raymond
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images below to see larger images
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