Linden Hill Decals Item No. LHD 32012 - Brothers in Arms 2, MiG-23ML, MLA, MLD and P Variants Decal Review by Ken Bowes

Brothers in Arms 2
MiG-23ML, MLA, MLD and P Variants

Linden Hill Decals, 1/32 Scale

S u m m a r y :
Catalogue Number:	Linden Hill Decals Item No. LHD 32012 - Brothers in Arms 2, MiG-23ML, MLA, MLD and P Variants
Scale:	1/32
Contents and Media:	Waterslide decals plus instructions and notes
Price:	US$21.99 from Linden Hill Imports
Review Type:	FirstLook
Advantages:	A wide range of alternative schemes to dress up the recent Trumpeter MiG-23 kits.
Disadvantages:	None noted
Conclusion:	The MiG-23 was a futuristic rocket ship of a fighter that saw both combat in Afghanistan and service opposite NATO in Central Europe. Given the longevity of service and number of users it is not surprising to find many options to get away from the clichéd kit decals and produce a unique model.

Reviewed by Ken Bowes

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FirstRead

Every new kit of a Soviet or Russian subject that hits the market seems to elicit a response from Linden Hill and the Trumpeter 1/32 MiG-23 family that entered the market in the last 12 months or so has again had this outcome, in the same way the earlier Su-27/Su-30 family resulted in an ongoing series of out of the ordinary options for the modeler looking for more than the bland kit options provide.

Thumbnail panels:

This sheet covers the MiG-23ML family and ranges from VVS multi-role units in Afghanistan to PVO interceptors as well as central European air forces in both WARPAC and NATO timeframes.
The seven options on this sheet include:

1 x MiG-23ML(A?) “47” Khandahar AB Afghanistan 1986/7. This is the most exciting subject to my mind, having a combat history and mission markings.
2 x MiG-23P from PVO Regiments in the Moscow Air Defense Region, including one Guards Regiment. Given its interceptor role the MiG-23P had a number of airframe modifications from the ML, which Linden Hill document to allow an accurate model.
MiG-23MLA 666 from the Bulgarian Air Force during the late 1980’s as part of the Warsaw Pact
MiG-23MLD 211 from the Bulgarian Air Force in 1999, with a striking shark mouth
MiG-23ML 4644 Czechslovakia, 1991
MiG-23ML 610 of JG-9 East German Air Force 1990

All the subject aircraft wear disruptive schemes of greens and browns over pale blue and whilst appearing to be similar actually range from two greens and one brown shade over the blue to up to three greens and two browns so no two airframes depicted are identical.

All subjects are well documented with three view drawings, scrap views and reference photographs in the accompanying instructions. Of particular note are what must be very rare reference photos for MiG-23ML 47 of 979th IAP in Afghanistan showing the common warloads and mission markings.

The instructions are spread over 6 A4 full colour pages and there is little more needed for someone wanting to model one of the options. It is not clear who prints Linden Hill’s decal sheets but in my experience they perform well with little difficultly and respond well to common setting solutions.

The Trumpeter 1/32 MiG-23ML is a nice kit overall but contains some relatively clichéd markings options. If the modeler wants to make a replica of a different jet or one with a combat history then this sheet from Linden Hill is definitely the way to go.

Thanks to Linden Hill Imports for the review sample.

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