Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master HA0105 Iraqi Mig-21 Decked out in its tan and green paint scheme, Hobby Master has chosen another unique version of their Mig-21. This represents the fabled F- 14 killer that shot down an F- 14 in 1983 during the Iran-Iraq War. In it’s time the Mig-21 was one of the best aircraft in the sky. Not only among the best aircraft but it was the most produced fighter in the world since the end of WWII, sources have the total produced somewhere between 8 -13,000. Even 8,000 is a tremendous feat. It is or was in the service of approximately 50 countries making it a natural choice for Hobby Master to replicate. The sleek lines combined with the impeccable paint finish topped off by the finely applied markings makes this model a collectors dream. The canopy can be displayed open or closed, gear up or down, on or off the display stand that is provided.

Facts and history HA0105 F-14 killer The Iran - Iraq War took place from September 22 1980 until August 1988. Origins of the war go back to the question of sovereignty over the resource-rich province of Khuzestan. The second factor was the dispute over full control of the Arvadrd/Shatt al- Arab waterway at the head of the Persian Gulf. This was very important to both countries for the shipping of oil. Conditions gradually deteriorated to the point where both countries broke off diplomatic relations in June of 1980. With this sporadic border disputes became more frequent. September 17, 1980 saw Iraq declare the Shatt al-Arab as being part of their territory. September 22 1980 Iraqi Mig-23 and 21s attacked Iranian airbases trying to destroy the runways and aircraft while they were still on the ground. This is a lesson they learned from the Arab-Israeli War June 1967 when the Israelis launched an all out air assault on the Air Forces of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan and destroyed the vast majority of planes still on the ground as well as the air bases. This assured Israel of air superiority and left them basically free to roam the skies in search of opposing air planes and land forces. The supposed reason for the strike by Iraq was an alleged assassination attempt on the life of Iraq’s Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz by Iranian agents. During the long protracted war there were many clashes on the ground and in the air. Iraq was quite surprised by the force of the opposition they faced and how poorly equipped their own military was in comparison. Iraq lost ground battle after ground battle or if they didn’t lose they were lucky to get a stalemate. The same applied to air encounters, Iraq lost one plane after another. The Mig’s were outdated compared to the U.S. built F-14s that the Iranians still had from before they deposed the Shah. So when a Mig-21 downs an F-14 it becomes big news and this is just what took place. On November 21, 1983 two Iranian F-14s were surprised by four Iraqi Mig-21s who had come up from below and behind and shot them both down using R.550 Magic missiles and a four- barrel gun that Iraq had developed. The short-lived air battle took place in the skies near Bahragan. This proved to be one of the very few success’s Iraq had using the Migs and it has grown to become an urban legend.

Power Plant: One 41.55kN (9,340lb st) or 64.73kN (14,550lb st) with afterburner Tumansky R-13-300 turbojet Wingspan: 7.15m (23ft 5½in) Length: 15.76m (51ft 8½in) - incl pitot boom Max T-O weight: 9,400kg (20,725lb) Max speed: Mach 2.1 (2,230km/h - 1,385mph) above 11,000m (36,000ft) Mach 1.06 (1,300km/h - 807mph) at low level Range: 1,100km (683 miles) - internal fuel only 1,800km (1,118 miles) - with three external drop tanks, one under fuselage, one under each wing Armament: One 23mm twin-barrel GSh-23 cannon with 200 rounds in belly pack Various air-to-air and air-to-ground stores carried on four under wing pylons including: K-13A “Atoll” or “Advanced Atoll” a-a missiles, UV-16-57 rocket packs, S-24 a-s rockets, 250kg and 500kg bombs

THESE ARE ONLY PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES NOT THE FINAL PRODUCT

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA0105 Iraqi Mig-21MF, F-14 Killer Iran - Iraq War