Soviet MIG-23M Hobby Master HA5301 Scale 1:72

Highly detailed Hobby Master pre-painted diecast metal model New Mould! Soviet MIG-23M Hobby Master HA5301 Scale 1:72 Soviet Mig-23M East Germany 1970's Item#: HA5301 Scale: 1:72 The MiG-23 began production in the late 1960s and offered the Soviets a fast and versatile fighter able to compete with the impressive aviation technology of the West. This stunning model is a reproduction of a MiG-23M flown by the 787th IAP out of East Germany in the 1970s. 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 Mikoan- 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. 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. General specifications for the MiG-23 (NATO code name FLOGGER) 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 Height 15 ft 1 in (4.82 m) 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 Powerplant – 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)