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Mig-23BN Flogger-H 1:48


Mike

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Mig-23BN Flogger-H
1:48 Trumpeter


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Designed from the same basic airframes, the Mig-23 and Mig-27 share a lot of parts, with a strong familial resemblance, and when the Mig-23BN ground-attack variant started to experience negative feedback for its performance, the further development was redesignated as the Mig-27, perhaps to eschew the reputation. The Mig-23 was originally to be a fighter interceptor, but during the development process the need for a fighter-bomber was identified, and the Ground-Attack variant of the Mig-23 was born as the B, or Flogger-F as NATO call them. The large radome was replaced by a sloped nose to give better pilot vision, and ground-attack systems were installed in the new forward fuselage, which earned it the nickname Platypus.

The Mig-23BN was the half-way house between the 23 and 27, and was produced in large numbers in the 70s and 80s, with over 600 built in total. It was a modernised version of the B, equipped with the latest engines and hardware, plus newer navigation and attack systems to help it carry out its role, but it was still too much of a fighter for many. It was built alongside and eventually replaced by the Mig-27, which had a cut-down featureset to simplify maintenance and running costs, plus a digital navigation and firing system.


The Kit
Trumpeter have been working their way through the Mig-23 range for a while now, and this is the latest variant to arrive, and of course there are a sizeable number of common parts to be found in the box as you'd expect. There are seventeen sprues in mid-grey styrene, two in clear, a fret of Photo-Etch (PE) brass, three decal sheets, instruction booklet in landscape A4, and painting guide on a double-sided sheet of A3 glossy paper, plus another single side of an A4 page, both in full colour. Of these sprues, only two of the airframe parts and a clear sprue are different from the M we reviewed a few years ago, and four of the weapons sprues, as you'd guess. There is a lot of detail packed into each sprue, and a fair usage of sliding moulded to obtain more detail, ease construction and reduce the part count. There will of course be quite a few parts left over after construction due to the modular nature of the sprues, but they may well come in handy elsewhere one day.

sprue1.jpg

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sprue4.jpg

sprue5.jpg

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Construction begins with the KM-1 ejection seat, which is also found in the Mig-21, and this is built up from seven parts into a nicely detailed unit, which is installed in the cockpit tub after adding the rear bulkhead, control column and rudder pedals. There is a decal for the side of the headbox, which is always nice to see, as it adds realism to the finished model. The main instrument panel and two tiny sub-panels are supplied with decals with the instrument faces printed on, and with careful painting should look well. There are two inserts for the cockpit sidewalls that install in the fuselage halves, with more decals provided to spruce them up after painting. The rear part of the engine is next, as it will need to be inserted between the fuselage halves before they are closed up. You get the rear engine face, plus a nice well-moulded and slim rendition of the flame-holder for the burner ring. This fits inside a two-part cylindrical trunk, inside which the two single part aft trunk and exhaust petals fit. The nose gear and intake trunking are the final sections to be assembled before the fuselage is closed up, although the main gear bay is later inserted through the hole in the top where the upper fuselage and wing-glove parts fit later in the build.

intakes.jpg


A pair of nice slide-moulded intake trunks are supplied on separate sprues, with the inner surface and splitter-plates added inside, and a PE insert for the boundary-air grille. Some other small parts and PE bits are added, but may be better left off until later due to their size. The aforementioned main gear well is built up from panels, before the wings and their swing mechanism are built into the upper fuselage insert. These have two cogs that mesh with the teeth moulded into the wing root, and small détente depressions ensure that the wings sit at the standard three points of pivot. How long the little bumps will stand up to repeated use is anyone's guess, but mine would be "not long", so don't fiddle with them too much! All these assemblies are then brought together and a pair of cockpit armour panels are added each side of the pilot's station. A pleasingly sharp-edged rear cone is installed around the engine exhausts, and you have a choice of open or closed air-brakes by using one set of parts or another. The large tail and elevators are also built and added to their respective slots and holes.

clear.jpg


Coaming and canopy can be glued in at this point, and the clear parts are thin with good transparency, but don't make the mistake of using the windscreen on the sprue with the other clear parts, as it isn't appropriate for the BN, which had a higher pilot's position and deeper canopy than the fighter models. The main landing gear is quite complex, and has a couple of captive bay doors, one of which is PE, so these will be fun to decide on building an painting order, but take your time and everything should turn out ok. They fit on pegs into holes in the main bay, as does the simpler nose gear leg. The tyres are nicely detailed and come in two parts with plenty of moulded-in detail, but would benefit from a swipe with a sanding stick to weight them slightly. The remainder of the gear bay doors are captive to the fuselage and have separate actuator struts.

The primary job of the Flogger-H is ground attack, which is why it wears the distinctive radar-free droop-snoot for enhanced visibility, which is separate to the fuselage, and has a number of probes and antennae added to and around it, plus the gun-pack under the belly with two slide-moulded hollow 23mm barrels peeking from inside the aerodynamic fairing. The other aspect of ground attack is the complement of weapons that it carries. It shares some sprues with the fighter incarnation, but has four additional sprues that contain all the ground-attack related stores. In the box you get the following:

2 x R-13M Advanced Atoll A2A Missiles

2 x R-13M1 Advanced Atoll A2A Missiles

2 x FAB-500 bomb

4 x R-60 Aphid A2A Missile

1 x PTB-800 centreline fuel tank

2 x wing-mounted drop-tanks

12 x FAB-100 bomb

12 x FAB-250 bomb

2 x KMGU-2 Cluster Bombs


Pylons, multiple-ejection racks, adaptors and sway-braces are all supplied, and the last page of the instructions shows what could be mounted on each of the nine pylons, although you would be best advised to check available references if you are looking to depict a realistic war or training load.

sprue6.jpg


Markings
As you may have already gleaned from the number of decal sheets, there are a generous six decal options in the box, with varying camouflage schemes and operators. From the box you can build one of the following:
  • Czechoslovakian 9139 in green/sand/dark green camo over light grey and an eagle head motif on the nose.
  • Czechoslovakian 5140 in green/sand/dark green camo over light grey.
  • German Democratic Republic red 15 in dark green/tan camo over light blue.
  • Soviet red 63 in light brown/green/medium green camo over grey blue underside.
  • Soviet red 51 in light brown/green/medium green camo over grey blue underside.
  • Ethiopian 1270 in sand/mid green/dark green/brown camo over grey blue underside.

decals.jpg


The decal sheets are broken down into three sheets as already mentioned, one of which contains stencils for the weapons, another for the airframe and cockpit, while the larger sheet contains all the aircraft specific decals plus the national insignia. The sheets are printed internally, and have good register, colour density and sharpness, although the Ethiopian roundel proportions are a little off because the yellow band is slightly too wide. If that bothers you, you'll need to either source or print some of your own.

Conclusion
Whether it's another one to add to your brace of Cold War Soviet metal, or just an impulse buy, there's a lot of plastic in the box, nice detail and a plethora of weapons to use or store for future projects. As the BN was used in harsh conditions, you'll have plenty of opportunity to show off your weathering talents, but if you're clumsy like me, you might want to nip off those moulded-in static wicks and put them back later to save the annoyance of losing them during handling.

Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of
logo.gifUK Distributors for logo.jpg

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Interesting review Mike. Any chance we can see a photo of the various clear parts? Always had a liking for the ugly duckling of the MiG-23/27 series and quite tempted by this one if it looks an accurate representation of the type.

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I was really waiting for this first attack version of this MiG from trumpeter.

However, there's really a problem with the nose shape, you just have to look at the canopy.

As I doubt that with Trumpeter the problem will be corrected on further releases of those A2G versions, let's hope for an aftermarket correction set.

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Nice review again, Mike! :thumbsup:

Any idea as to why it's about a tenner more expensive than the other MiG-23's Trumpeter offer? I just looked on the Hannants website & its a good bit more costly than the others.... :shrug:

There is a few sprues of air to ground weapons which may bumped up the price a bit.

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There is a few sprues of air to ground weapons which may bumped up the price a bit.

From the fighter series, Sprue tree A was swapped with one specific to the Ground Attack which includes the fuselage, nose, and specific instrument panel. The dial edges on the instrument panel are soft (rounded) but this is intentional so as to use a decal. Sprue tree E (specific to ground attack variant details) and sprue tree Q (ground attack variant canopy & windscreen) are also new tool. Sprue trees B, C1, C2, D, F, L, M1 (clear sprue tree included for light lenses), N, WB, and WC are unaltered from previous releases. Two sprue trees labeled WA with the R-23 are replaced with four sprue trees labeled WE with bombs and triple ejector racks (TERs). The last sprue tree (WE) was first seen by me in Trumpeter's Su-24 box.

The box to house the MiG-23BN is a lot larger than the fighter variant boxes and too large for what was included (this is my opinion of course).

Regards,

Edited by sharkmouth
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Well, I tried to keep them in line

Together with a large dose of the acerbic comments one has come to expect from certain so-called experts.about Trumpeter products..

I tried to keep it civil! However, some are helpful. The difference between constructive criticism about the subject offered and whining over the company who made it is lost on some.

Regards,

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Well, I tried to keep them in line

I tried to keep it civil! However, some are helpful. The difference between constructive criticism about the subject offered and whining over the company who made it is lost on some.

Regards,

I noticed that you tried several times to keep the thread focused on the kit and not on the manufacturer but it looked as though you were fighting a losing battle.

It would appear that in this case there are some issues regarding accuracy, though as you have tried your best to illustrate, they are not insurmountable.

Chris.

.

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It would appear that in this case there are some issues regarding accuracy, though as you have tried your best to illustrate, they are not insurmountable.

Not insurmountable?

Certainly, but not within reach of the average modeller, I think.

To me look likes there's some kind of heavy surgery required.

Anyway, I won't get the kit, at least for the moment.

Better wait to see what happen in terms of correction possibilities, aftermarket sets or further A2G versions from trumpeter.

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Not insurmountable?

Certainly, but not within reach of the average modeller, I think.

To me look likes there's some kind of heavy surgery required.

Anyway, I won't get the kit, at least for the moment.

Better wait to see what happen in terms of correction possibilities, aftermarket sets or further A2G versions from trumpeter.

Heavy surgery? Perhaps strengthening the inner upper interior of the nose while reshaping. The rest, not at all. Average modelers are a different breed from the average modelers I grew up with since we are different generations. Therefore, I won't use the term as I don't know the average anymore. I don't think the issues are insurmountable with basic modeling skills.

Many modelers today have the skill but prefer to simply assemble. Certainly, not a way to improve model building but it does get one to the finish line faster.

I do agree that, for the price, the kit should be closer to the correct outlines. Had it been the same price as the other Floggers, I would be far happier and even consider sending my corrected nose to a friend to cast a half dozen for me. At the current price, I won't be buying another.

I will started a build log on another site I am helping run. I have started with the simple things which are common to all the Flogger kits so far. First will be the air brakes, then the intakes, the cockpit sill and MiG-23BN details on the fuselage (this all allows me to try a couple of times, if needed, on correcting the nose). Obviously, the nose will be last after the nose wheel guard, nose wheels and nose gear bay doors, and correcting the spurious load layout provided by Trumpeter. The instructions also have a couple of mistakes which only require leaving off parts (starboard air scoop on vertical tail, port pod on wing glove, and air to air missiles with associated launch rails).

As for future air to ground variants, we already see what Trumpeter has planned in the sprues. I expect minimal changes such as new decals and only hope that they include new MiG-27 parts other than the intake ramps which are already seen on the sprue tree and marked 'not for use' in the instructions.

TrumpMiG23BNxDetails05.JPG

Regards,

Edited by sharkmouth
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Well, I was thinking mainly about the canopy, don't know how it will do after the nose reshaping.

But still, I don't have the kit, and you have it, so you know about what you talk, while I don't.

Then I'll be very interested to follow your build thread, and maybe change my mind.

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Then I'll be very interested to follow your build thread, and maybe change my mind.

That is all I ask, make your own decisions as to how much work you want to put into the kit. You may not want to or you may see it as a challenge to conquer all or some of the issues. We modelers enjoy this hobby differently. My point is to not turn off others until you know what you're facing.

Regards,

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  • 2 months later...

Why is here a verdict: Highly recommended -when this kit is candidate to throwing in to bin with sorted waste ? Look on ARC, this really isn't MiG-23BN !!!!! Highly recommended is Foxhound from AMK, Su-33 from Kinetic or old but still good MiG-21 from Eduard, F-15E Revell, F-16CJ from Tamiya but this ? This parody and caricature of "Ground attack" Flogger really not :/

Damm Trumpy !!!!! :( :( :(

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This is really a shame. I would have snapped this one up...but cannot see paying ~50 usd for a kit that will need at the least a ton of sanding, or an expensive aftermarket replacement. Such a major shape error cannot be overlooked.

It looks like perhaps they used the fighter version fuselage?

How can they blow it so much?

Edited by Mike Esposito
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I will wait for one of the Russian or Ukrainian companies to come out with one. The cost is just too high for a sub-standard kit. I have a few of the standard MiG-23s that will be enough work for now.

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I tried to keep it civil! However, some are helpful. The difference between constructive criticism about the subject offered and whining over the company who made it is lost on some.

Why is here a verdict: Highly recommended -when this kit is candidate to throwing in to bin with sorted waste ? Look on ARC, this really isn't MiG-23BN !!!!! Highly recommended is Foxhound from AMK, Su-33 from Kinetic or old but still good MiG-21 from Eduard, F-15E Revell, F-16CJ from Tamiya but this ? This parody and caricature of "Ground attack" Flogger really not :/

Damm Trumpy !!!!! :( :( :(

And there ^ is the proof of what I wrote. Here is someone telling me to throw a kit into a bin which I paid for (and I work pretty hard to have the disposable income to buy it). Where is it constructive? By telling me to buy other kits whose subjects don't interest me (Foxhound & Su-33) or I already have? Is this person implying I am stupid to buy the kit as it obviously doesn't meet his/her standards? Or is he/she stating they can't be bothered to use modeling skills to correct it (something which I enjoy doing)? So, his/her way of modeling (simply assembling) is better than my old fashion way of correcting it? He/she makes a decision for me as to what I should buy or toss out?

As I wrote before, The difference between constructive criticism about the subject offered and whining over the company who made it is lost on some.

Sad really (and the reason I haven't posted any sprue shots of my latest acquisitions),

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IIRC, don't Neomega in the UK have a set for correcting the hooter already? I'm sure I was looking at one with Gordon on his stand at Telford. It's a lot easier than doing the rhinoplasty myself, so it would bump the build up the calendar a little. :hmmm:

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This is a case when you go into restaurant for lunch - and before lunch you ill from food. Go any time to the same restaurant, or no ?

In deep communism, in time of Cold War make OEZ Letohrad accuarate kits(Fishbed, Fitter-A and Frogfoot - Su-25 is to this day most accurate kit in quarter scale and Su-7BKL too) as Trumpeter today, in 2016. On Ground Attack Flogger is 2x Czechoslovak marking - but the kit is horrible. When you buy it, you give Trumpy signal - All ok, boys, your kit isn´t MiG-23BN, but you have here my money and thank you ! Sorry, but this is "spammed of model kits market" with ugly, innacurate kits who isn´t models but parody.... Is ironic a fighter version of Trumpy Flogger have only few minor issues(Air intakes ?) and overall it is nice kit of the legendary "bedna" (=crate-nickname for Flogger in Czechoslovak/Czech Air Force). But "BN" is really a - sorry i must autocensorship me.... Is first half of 21.century and i understandy why big budget company as Trumpeter make this caricature.... Look on Eduard - when he have problem with Bf-109G (make a state of art technology) - are overscalled, throw moulds to metal waste and now make complete new kit.... (But their Mess still look at "109" - and Trumpy "BN" don´t look at MiG-23BN). I look for complete MiG-23 family in CZ service, but i really haven´t interest support from my money a company who can´t make accurate kit. Remember - OEZ make better (accurate) kits a thirty years ago ! In socialistic Czechoslovakia !!! When this jets was a near status "Top Secret" ! (MiG-21MF probably not, but Su-7 and in this time Su-25 as brand new Soviet attack plane...)

And AMK Foxhound, Kinetic Sea Flanker or Revell Strike Eagle and Fishbed from Ed´was here for demonstration purpose only who may look a nice and accurate kit of modern combat aircraft....

Sorry, MiG-23BN is UGLY and isn´t MiG-23 BN. And when i can bought MiG-23BN it is as i go for food and when i buy duck and on label is text: duck meat - i hope it is a duck and not a pork... When is this kit labeled as MiG-23BN they MUST BE MiG-23BN but he isn´t...

Howg - this is my last word in case of inaccurate MiG-23BN from Trumpy.

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