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North Korean MiG-23 colors and markings


flyinghorse

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I am getting ready to build Academy's 1/72 MiG-23S Flogger B, and am going to paint it in North Korean air force markings. The NKPAF is a rare topic among model builders and am wanting to try my hand at one with spare decals I have in my decals collection. However, due to the secretive nature of North Korea, it is quite hard to find decent photos to look at for reference. I have found a couple of videos and pictures online on NK MiG-23's. I'm interested in the Cold War era, and if you think its hard finding info on North Korea today, then man, good luck finding anything pre 1990's on the subject, especially on the NKPAF!! I'm actually thinking of painting my MiG in silver, judging from pictures Ive seen, although I wanted some confirmation from someone because I would like to be as accurate as possible, and because I have heard that there were no such things as silver painted MiG-23's

 

 

Edited by flyinghorse
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Hello and welcome, @flyinghorse. This book may help you (don't have it so I am not endorsing, just sharing information): https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/the-armed-forces-of-north-korea-on-the-path-of-songun.php?sid=ca80bdd3ecd83e3db622d4e9a439506f

 

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BTW, the links in your original post didn't come through.

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3 hours ago, flyinghorse said:

143473_95163106_01MIG-23ML%2064%20NORTHC

Bad eyes and poor picture quality make it hard to distinguish this color. Looks metallic but this is the MiG I intend to try to replicate in 1/72. Help in identifying the color would be greatly appreciated. 

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First of all, the fin on the later models does not extend forward as much.

The radome is larger - I cannot remember if this affects the overall length.

The nosewheel are larger, with a different mudguard. MiG-29 nosewheels look the part.

I think in 1/72 scale those are the most noticeable issues.

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I'm going with an overall silver/metallic finish, predating the multi-tone grey.

 

http://forums.airforce.ru/attachments/matchast/82161d1510988021-downloadfile-19.jpeg/

and

http://forums.airforce.ru/attachments/matchast/82162d1510988048-korea-1985_01-1-.jpg/

 

 

From here (via Google Translate): http://forums.airforce.ru/matchast/4178-reestr-mig-23-sozdadim-vmeste-53/

"In April 1985, a telegram from the Air Force General Staff came to the regiment (234 GIAP), according to which the task was set to ferry 10 MiG-23ML aircraft from 121 ARZ in Kubinka to the Pukchang airfield in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. These aircraft were painted silver and bore the markings of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea - a red star in a circle. Six pilots of 234 GIAP (mainly from 4 aircrafts) and four pilots from 32 GIAP were supposed to participate in the stretch."

 

Edited by Blimpyboy
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Hi

 

I see someone has already mentioned the North Korean Armed Forces book. For info its not a modelling reference book at all and this is the only colour plate in there of the Mig 23.

 

641A3ACD-8D66-432B-B137-EA8C2F992369

 

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Thanks to all! :) Amazing what google translate can do these days, seems like only the former Soviet Union knew enough about North Korea before 1991. Today, North Korea is a black hole regarding visual information on its armed forces,

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