Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23ML Flogger-G

IDF-AF, Israel 1990s,

Defection Aircraft

Hobby Master 1:72 HA5315

On October 11, 1989, Major Adel Bassem was flying a Syrian MiG-23ML as part of a 2 aircraft training flight next to the Israeli held "Golan Heights". Bassem saw the opportunity he had been waiting for and broke away from the second Syrian aircraft. He turned toward Israel and accelerated as he descended below radar coverage. With afterburners lit he crossed into Israel and landed at the civilian airport of Megiddo. This was a bit of embarrassment for the Israelis because the Syrian fighter was never challenged.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23ML Flogger-G

Designed as a heavier, more powerful improvement on the MiG-21 Fishbed, the MiG 23 first flew on June 10, 1967. This fighter/bomber had variable-sweep wings and could achieve speeds greater than Mach 2. It was the first Soviet aircraft capable of firing "beyond-visual-range" missiles, and the first to have look-down/shoot-down radar. As one of the most successful military aircraft built during the Cold War, MiG-23s were produced in large numbers, with more than 5,000 coming off of the production lines. Although retired from service in the former Soviet Union, many MiG-23s are still in service with various export customers

Hobby Master "1:72 Air Power Series" diecast airplanes feature:

• Molded metal construction with plastic components.
• Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
• Inscriptions and posters printed with a stamp that do not fade or fall off like decals.
• opening of awnings, revealing detailed within the cockpit.
• Extended / retracted interchangeable landing gear.
• Display stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
• Authentic detachable artillery cargoes complete with placards.