| Book cover finish | Hardcover ( square back binding ) |
| Condition | Used very good |
| Number of pages | 560 |
| Published date | 2019 |
| Language | English |
| Collection / Series | FAMOUS RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT |
| Size | 21.59 x 27.94 x 2.54 cm |
| Author | Yefim Gordon, Dmitriy Komissarov |
| Editor | Crécy Publishing Ltd. |
Originally conceived as a replacement for the famous MiG-21, changing priorities turned the MiG-23into a STOL fighter with variable-geometry wings that first flew in June 1967. After two years of testing, the aircraft, codename Flogger, entered service in 1969.
From then on the development of the Flogger proceeded along two parallel lines; firstly, as a fighter/interceptor with a two-seat trainer variant and later as a fighter/bomber which evolved into the MiG-27 used by the Soviet Air Force. This, in turn, was progressively improved as the MiG-27D/MiG-27M and the MiG-27K.The MiG-23 family were widely exported.
New aircraft were supplied to the Soviet Union’s Warsaw Pact allies and selected nations in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Later, second-hand machines were sold from CIS stocks to various parts of the world, which allowed the MiG-23 to remain active abroad longer than in Russia where single-engined combat jets had been phased out in 1997.
The Flogger saw a good deal of action. Soviet MiG-23MLDs were actively used in the Afghan War; elsewhere, the fighter variants saw action in Syria (both in against Israel in the 1970s and in the Syrian Civil War), Libya, Iraq, Angola and Sudan. The fighter bombers also fought in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Sri Lanka.
MiG-23 describes the development and service history of all variants of these outstanding aircraft, featuring fleet lists and numerous rare photos and colour profiles. 77880