Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-25BM by ICM
1/72 scale
Kit No. 72175
Cost: $38.00
Decals: Two versions – both Soviet Air Force
Comments: Engraved panel lines and recessed rivet detail, highly detailed cockpit and landing gear, internal intake trunking, four air-to-round anti-radiation Kh-58U missiles; optional position canopy
History
The MiG-25 prototype first flew on March 6, 1964, but did not enter service with the Soviet Air Force until 1970. It featured two large Tumansky R-15B-300 afterburning turbojets with a top speed of Mach 2.83 (and could reach Mach 3.2 if the pilot were willing to damage the engines), as well as a powerful RP-25 Smerch radar, two Bisnovat R-40R radar-guided AA-6 “Acrid” air-to-air missiles, and two heat-seeking R-40T air-to-air missiles. At over 20 feet long and a foot wide, the R-40’s are reputed to be the largest air-to-air weapons ever to enter service with any air force. RB reconnaissance variants of the MiG-25, from which the MiG-25BM is derived, have a service ceiling of 80,000 feet.
The MiG-25BM is a single-seat supersonic reconnaissance bomber designed for electronic and fire suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), mainly by punching a hole in Western radar defenses using air-to-ground missiles. It was derived from the MiG-25RB, a single-seat reconnaissance-bomber which was in turn a derivative of the MiG-25R, fitted with improved reconnaissance systems and a Peleng automatic bombing system. While the RB can carry a payload of eight 500 kg (1,100 lbs.) bombs, the BM, according to Russian sources, can carry several times that — 4,000kg, or over 8,800 lbs. The MiG-25BM entered service about 1978, sharing the NATO code name Foxbat with its predecessors in the MiG-25 family. The MiG-25BM is typically armed with two Kh-58U anti-radar missiles, two R-60 Molniya air-to-air missiles, and highly effective electronic countermeasures (ECM).
The Soviet government made the decision to develop the MiG-25 BM on July 13, 1973. The design of the aircraft started in 1974. This recon-bomber has the Jaguar antiradar system, target designation system for the Sych anti-radiation homing missile, defensive electronic ECM system consisting of the Beryoza-L radio surveillance system and Syren-1D-OZh and Lyutik active jamming systems.
During 1974-1976, all components of the MiG-25BM equipment complex underwent testing aboard the MiG-25RB’s (tail numbers #303 and #401). The maiden flight of the MiG25BM prototype (#2047, tail number 47) occurred on January 27, 1977 by pilot Shchelkunov. MiG-25BM recon/bombers remained in series production from 1982-1985. The total production was 40.
The Kit
ICM’s MiG-25 BM is injection molded in grey plastic and consists of 159 parts. The airframe bears engraved panel lines and recessed rivet detail, although it is a bit soft and may be obscured in places by sanding; modelers may want to reinforce the panel lines with a scriber before beginning construction. The cockpit is outfitted with a detailed ejection seat, control yoke and a main instrument panel bearing both raised and recessed relief providing an opportunity for some detail painting, although an instrument panel decal is also provided.
Each of the massive intakes is a separate four-part assembly, complemented by detailed intake trunking, an assembly that forms the guts of the fuselage and around which the exterior panels forming the main part of the fuselage are cemented. There are also detailed main wheel wells which house the wheels in the vertical position. Each wing has separately mounted trailing edge slats, separate wing fences, as well as pylons for weapons placement. Each of the Kh-58 anti-radiation missiles bears engraved panel lines and recessed rivet detail. In addition to the large ventral drop tank, there is an option for an open or closed canopy.
Markings
The decals appear to have a flawless semi-gloss finish and are perfectly in register. They include MiG logos, a decal for the main instrument panel and a multitude of stencils. Markings are provided for three versions. The first is for a MiG-25 BM, White 37, of the Lipetsk Combat and Conversion Training Center. This aircraft bears an elaborate camouflage paint scheme of Flat Black, Medium Grey, Olive Green, Ochre and Flat Brown over Light Grey undersides. While ostensibly a training aircraft, this one is armed with the same Kh-58 anti-radiation missiles as the second and third aircraft serving with front line Soviet Air Force units.
The second aircraft, White 43, is a MiG-25 BM based at Ahtubinsk airfield, circa 1987. It bears a paint scheme of overall Light Grey with a Medium Grey nose cone and a Flat Black anti-glare panel, with Dark Grey leading edges for its vertical tails and ventral strakes. The third aircraft, Red 81, has a paint scheme identical to the second aircraft, and is simply identifed as a MiG-25 BM of the Soviet Air Force, circa 1984. Unlike the first training aircraft, both of these aircraft are fitted with what appears to be a very large, partially recessed center line drop tank nestled in its belly. No detail is given as to specific squadrons or other units to which these aircraft were assigned.
Conclusion
This is a richly detailed kit of the MiG-25 BM, an ominous aircraft intended to be the tip of the spear as it was designed to punch holes in NATO’s radar net in the event of a major European war. Highly recommended.
References
- https://testpilot.ru/en/rossiya-e/mikoyan/mig25bm/
- https://wargame.fandom.com/wiki/SEAD_Aircraft
- https://wargame.fandom.com/wiki/MiG-25BM
- www.onwar.com
- military.wikia.com
