MiG-27 Flogger by Academy

1/72 scale
Kit No. 1654
Cost: $15.00
Decals: One version – Soviet Air Force
Comments: Engraved panel lines, basic cockpit, optional position canopy; movable variable sweep wings; armament includes one belly-mounted 30mm multi-barrel cannon, air-to-air missiles, rocket pods, and bombs

History

The MiG-27 is a direct descendant of the MiG-23 multi-role fighter, designed specifically to fulfill the need for a high performance air-to-ground tactical attack aircraft. Development work on the type began in 1969 and the prototype (MiG-23B) flew for the first time on August 20, 1970. The specialized MiG-27 entered service with the Soviet Union’s 16th Air Army in East Germany in 1975. Although the MiG-27 has a distinctly different role from the MiG-23, externally it looks quite similar to its predecessor and partly for that reason shares the NATO reporting name “Flogger” with the MiG-23.

A distinctive feature is its duckbill nose (which it shares in common with the ground-attack MiG-23’s), designed to improve the pilot’s downward vision during low level attacks and housing a laser rangefinder and other sensors. The MiG-27 also has terrain-following radar and advanced navigation and attack systems allowing all-weather operations, and can be used in the tactical reconnaissance role if fitted with reconnaissance pods.

The initial production model was soon followed by the MiG-27K and M models (NATO reporting name, “Flogger-J”), which featured upgraded avionics and weapons control systems. India was the only MiG-27 customer outside the Soviet Union; the Indian government arranged for the firm HAL to build it under license under the name MiG-27M Bahadur (Valiant) from 1986 on. At the height of its deployment in the late 1980’s, the MiG-27 posed a threat to a considerable portion of Europe from its forward bases in East Germany. Production in the Soviet Union ended in 1983 with 910 machines built.

The Kit

Academy’s MiG-27 is a relatively simple kit, injection molded in pale green plastic and consisting of 81 parts, including four clear parts for the cockpit canopy and navigation lights. The cockpit is basic with no internal sidewall detail, a floor with raised details and a seat. There is no control yoke included, but a decal is provided for the instrument panel, and there is a pilot figure. A big plus is that the kit features functioning variable sweep wings. There are separate air intakes with an additional part for the fixed air intake ramps.

The kit is crisply molded with engraved panel lines and perforations where dive brakes would likely be located on the ventral surface of the aircraft. The strange thing is, there are no engraved lines near these perforations to explain their purpose. The separate air intakes are exceptionally well detailed but unfortunately have rather large machined holes on the side opposite the side that the landing gear is cemented to. They are not sinkholes, so their presence is a mystery. Aftermarket replacements are strongly recommended if they are available. Other than this defect, the landing gear appear to be fairly well detailed.

While the kit includes a significant amount of ordnance, there is no information on any of it. The air-to-air missiles look suspiciously like American AIM-9 Sidewinders, and bear no resemblance to the AA-6 “Acrid” or R40 missiles typically carried by Russian fighters of this era. Two rocket pods are included, as are what appear to be two 750 lb. cluster bombs — a likely bit of of ordnance for a purpose-built strike aircraft. There are also three large drop tanks, and a separately, externally mounted multi-barrel cannon, which depending on the source is identified as either a 23mm or a 30mm cannon.

Markings

The instructions include a three-view schematic indicating a camouflage paint scheme of green and brown, with light blue undersides. Federal Standard paint numbers are the only guide provided. While there are red stars for the national markings , the only other decal is Yellow 23, along with the aforementioned decal for the instrument panel. No indication is given as to what unit this aircraft served in, or where.

Conclusion

Overall, this is a nicely done kit featuring a modicum of detail that should present a trouble-free build and a reasonably convincing MiG-27. Its air-to-air missile may not be accurate, and the wheels have a crude appearance due to the too-large machined holes in them. Aftermarket replacements are recommended in both cases.

References

• The Encyclopedia of World Airpower, edited by Bill Gunston; Copyright 1980 Crescent Books, New York.
• Combat Aircraft Since 1945 by Stewart Wilson; Copyright 2000 Aerospace Publications, Fishwyck, Australia.