MiG-23 Flogger – PDF

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 “Flogger” was developed during the 1960s as the Soviet Union sought a new fighter with greater range, improved radar and missile capability, and better short-field performance than the MiG-21. Designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau, the MiG-23 incorporated variable-sweep wings that could be positioned for takeoff and landing, normal flight, or high-speed operations. This gave the aircraft a combination of performance and operational flexibility unavailable in earlier Soviet fighters.

Entering Soviet service in the early 1970s, the MiG-23 became an important fighter and interceptor for both the Soviet Air Forces and Soviet Air Defense Forces. Its radar and beyond-visual-range missile capability represented a significant advance over earlier MiG-21 variants. Numerous versions were developed during its long production run, including improved fighters and interceptors as well as the closely related MiG-27 ground-attack aircraft.

The MiG-23 was exported extensively to Warsaw Pact members and Soviet-aligned nations, giving the Flogger one of the broadest international service histories of any Soviet fighter of its generation. MiG-23s saw combat in the Middle East, including service with Syria and Iraq, as well as conflicts in Africa and the Soviet-Afghan War. Exported Floggers frequently encountered Western-designed fighters, making the MiG-23 an important aircraft for scenarios depicting Cold War confrontations between Soviet and Western aviation technology.

Although increasingly supplanted by more advanced aircraft such as the MiG-29 and Su-27 during the 1980s, the MiG-23 remained in widespread service through the end of the Cold War and continued operating with several foreign air forces afterward. Its distinctive variable-sweep wings, extensive export service, and participation in numerous regional conflicts made the NATO-designated “Flogger” one of the defining Soviet combat aircraft of the later Cold War.

Service Branch: Soviet Air Forces; Soviet Air Defense Forces
Soviet Service: 1970–1990s
Number Built: 5,000+

What’s Included:

For both swept and unswept versions.

• 12 1.5” square counter images
• 24 1” square counter images
• 35 .75” square counter images
• 40 .625” square counter images
• Numbered Images to assist with game organization and tracking
• Printable PDF format for personal gaming use

Each image size is contained on a ½ sheet.

• Enables users to save paper and print 2 types of aircraft on the same page.
• Print one set of aircraft images then reverse the page in the printer and print a second type of your choice on the same page.