Subject: Re: 1/72 Academy MiG-23MS article submission
From: "Submissions for ARC" <[email-masked]>
To: "raymond biggs" <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 14:52:36 -0700

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know your article went on ARC today.  Thanks again for sending it in.

Steve Bamford
Aircraft Resource Center
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com

Live like there is no tomorrow;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Work like you don't need the money.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: raymond biggs 
  To: [email-masked] 
  Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 3:27 AM
  Subject: 1/72 Academy MiG-23MS article submission

  Gallery Template #05

  "1/72 Academy MiG-23MS " 

  by Raymond Biggs
  --------------------

        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 01.jpg here  

  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'.

  Click on images below to see larger images

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 03.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 03.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 04.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 04.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 05.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 05.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 06.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 06.jpg 

  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.

          
        Steve Bamford will insert full sized version of photo 02.jpg here  

  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!!
  Click on images below to see larger images

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 07.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 07.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 08.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 08.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 09.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 09.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 10.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 10.jpg 

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 11.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 11.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 12.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 12.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 13.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 13.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 14.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 14.jpg 

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 15.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 15.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 16.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 16.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 17.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 17.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 18.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 018.jpg 

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 19.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 19.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 20.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 20.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 21.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 21.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 22.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 22.jpg 

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 23.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 23.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 24.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 24.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 25.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 25.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 26.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 26.jpg 

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 27.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 27.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 28.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 28.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 29.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 29.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 30.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 30.jpg 

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 31.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 31.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 32.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 32.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 33.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 33.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 34.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 34.jpg 

        Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 35.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 35.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 36.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 36.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 37.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 37.jpg 
       Steve Bamford will insert a click-able smaller version of photo 38.jpg here.  Clicking on that photo will bring up the full sized version of photo 38.jpg 

  Photos and text © by Raymond Biggs

  -- 
  "Hot or Cold, Cool is Jazz"