Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23ML Flogger, 4644 / 0390324644, Czechoslovak Air Force
This picture is © Martin Laycock and may not be used or published without permission.
Registration: 4644
Construction Number: 0390324644
Military Unit: 1 SLP
Model Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23ML Flogger
Operator: Czechoslovak Air Force
Airport: RAF Fairford (FFD / EGVA), UK - England
Photographer: Martin Laycock
Date Taken: 20/07/1991
Date Submitted: 17/12/2009
One of the 'stars' of IAT91, this Flogger was a really exotic static exhibit that year. The slim airframe and highly swept variable-geometry wings are evident in this head-on view. She was visiting from her base at Ceske Budejovice and was operated by the 1st Fighter Air Regiment. In October 1994 she was painted in grey tiger camoflage and assigned to 41 SLT (41st Fighter Squadron) at Caslav. She was retired in 2000 (most of the Czech MiG-23MLs were retired in 1998) and is now preserved at Ceske Budejovice. The MiG-23ML addressed several issues that affected the earlier Flogger variants, this version was considerably redesigned, making it in some ways a completely new aircraft. The 'L' in the designation refers to 'Lightweight' the empty weight of this version being reduced by some 1250kg. The dorsal fin extension is absent on the ML, it features refined aerodynamics, a redesigned undercarriage resulting in a lower nose attitude when on the ground, a new engine, the R-35F-300 coupled with an airframe g-limit of 8.5 led to a considerable improvement in thrust-to-weight ratio and maneauverability. The avionics were also upgraded, incorporationg a Sapfir-23ML radar and TP-23ML IRST (Infra-Red Search and Track) system. The radar was more reliable than earlier versions and had a maximum detection range of about 65km against fighter size targets (25km when in look-down mode). Other avionic enhancements included a much improved autopilot and new radio and datalink systems. the prototype of this version first flew in 1976 and went into production in 1978.
Picture ID:1206580