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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