MiG-23M Flogger
Swing-wing Soviet interceptor with three wing positions the pilot selects by hand.
- Manual variable-sweep wing
- High-mounted intakes
- Strong acceleration
- Poor turn rate
Specification
- Origin
- Russia
- Manufacturer
- Mikoyan
- Role
- Interceptor
- Generation
- 3
- Introduced
- 1972
- Combat type
- Air
- Spawn code
- mig23
On the server
The MiG-23M reached Soviet regiments in 1972 as the replacement for the MiG-21, built around a variable geometry wing that the pilot sweeps manually between three settings: forward for takeoff and landing, mid for cruise, fully back for high speed. The intention was short field performance and a much better radar and missile fit than the MiG-21 could carry. In practice the aircraft gained a reputation for being demanding, with poor sustained turn performance and a very high accident rate in some air forces. On MCS the Flogger is a straight line machine. Accelerate, climb, take the shot and leave, because if you let a fight develop into turns you will lose it. Managing the wing sweep at the right moments is most of what separates a good Flogger pilot from a bad one. Recommended for players who want a difficult aircraft with a real learning curve.