Mushroom Model Publications (for Stratus)

Polish Wings No.10 MiG-23MF & MiG-23UB

by  Adam Golabek, Marian Mikolajczuk and Cezary Piotrowski

Reviewed By  Ben Guenther, IPMS# 20101

MSRP: $25 (£12.99 GBP) ISBN: 978-83-61421-05-4 Website: www.mmpbooks.biz Soft cover, A4 format 8.25 x 11.75", 80 pages, 27 b&w photos, 161 color photos, 44 color side profiles, 5 color top & bottom views , two charts and two pages of badges. From 1979 to the last flight of the MiG-23 UB in 1999, the Polish Air Force operated the MiG-23s as an all weather fighter bomber. Only 36 MiG-23 MF were obtained from Russia, with an additional 6 MiG-23 UB (two seat trainers) so the Polish MiG-23s were a small force, which in the later years created maintenance and part procurement problems. The history of the MiG-23 MF Polish service is covered in six pages and the MiG-23 UB trainer variant history is covered in two pages. The greatest strength of this book for modelers is in the many fine color photos and the prolific use of color side profiles. With so few aircraft in Polish service, each plane (except no. 145, 105 and 153) has its own page or pages where color photos and profiles for that particular aircraft are displayed. Finally, there is a ten page section just on camouflage and badges for the MiG-23s. (I was struck by the use of the Sioux Indian profile as a badge used by 1st flight.) If you are interested in building your MiG-23 model with something other than with Russian markings you can't go wrong with this tenth volume of Polish Wings. In fact, the next two volumes (11th and 12th) will cover the MiG-29 in Polish service and should be another winner if they continue with their excellent coverage. I can highly recommend this work for use by modelers as a source of information and inspiration. I would like to thank IPMS/USA and Mushroom Model Publication for the opportunity to review this book.