ESCI 1/48TH MiG-27 FLOGGER “D” IRAQI Evaluation Demo Anniversay MIG GB

When the Iraqi Air Force settled on acquiring the MiG-23 to fulfill the air combat role supplementing the MiG-21. They also were evaluating the MiG-27 for the close support role as well. With the Su-22 and Su-25 also being evaluated in the mid 70's. The Iraqi Air force would eventually settle for the more enhanced MiG-23BN for the role which also was supplemented by the Mirage F-1EQ which could also fulfill the strike fighter role and maritime duties when equipped with the Exocet missile.

This is my own artistic license to what may have what the MiG-27 in Iraqi markings would have looked like. The Iraqi Air Force flew the MiG-23BN strike version of the Flogger. With the duck bill nose, is very similar, except for the intake ramps. When doing the research and checking out Iraqi MiG-27 images, which were not Flogger-D's but actually the BN.

The kit is the old ESCI kit from the 70's. I have had the kit since around 1998 long before Trumpeter's MiG-23/27 series came along. Only others in this scale was the Hobbycraft and AMT/ERTL kit which I believe both were ESCI repops. Italeri now has the molds and has re-released the kit in their plastic. ESCI back in the 70's were hit and miss on their 48th scale series. Some were good like the Mirage F.1, and some poor like the A-10. The MiG-27/23 were ok, with fine raised panel lines. What is quite noticeable is the parts in the ESCI kit compared to the Trumpy MiG-23 I built a couple of years ago. Much simpler approach, but then this is what we got in the 70's. Though I tell you the main landing gear is far more superior in assembly than the Trumpy one. Why? as the ESCi is one main piece that supports the weight of the model and will not break. Where as the Trumpy keeps breaking just sitting on the shelf which was made up of 4 pieces of a very complicated main gear strut and also made it quite fragile. The model was quite basic, no cockpit details, the seat resembled a K-1 only in somewhat in shape, there were no side consoles and in 48th scale that was not going to be acceptable despite the canopy being small you can still see what is missing. So to enhance the Flogger, I used Eduard's PE set to get side consoles and improved the instrument panel. Also got a resin seat from SB Models, which was a vast improvement over the kit seat.

I noticed the wheels seemed to be under sized. So a set of resin wheels from Armory helped here as well.

I replaced the kit Gsh-23 gun with the Quickboost replacement.

And finally the way to shallow exhaust nozzle with a nice resin set from Metallic Details

The decals were from a Linden Hill set for the Iraqi Air Force series of aircraft. As well as the stencils. Paint use were Ammo Mig, using Desert Yellow/Dk Green/Clay Brown over Tamiya Undersurface Blue. It was the first time using the Ammo Mig paints, they sprayes quite well out of my Paasche H.

Pretty much all the new bits were plug and play. No cutting or modifying the basic air frame. It really helped the overall appearance of the model than just leaving it bone stock. It was an enjoyable build.

Chuck

Fly Navy

35 additional images. Click to enlarge.