Product Details

The Soviet Air Force began a program known as the 1521st Center for Combat Employment, located in Mary, Turkmen SSR, in 1970. The program was prompted by the poor performance of Soviet-supplied aircraft in Vietnam and the Middle East and by the equivalent American programmes. Pilots for these squadrons contained a higher number of highly experienced pilots (distinctions of combat pilot experience in Soviet forces at the time were known as "First Class" and "Sniper" level pilots). These units had a higher proportion of these highly experienced pilot when compared to regular Soviet Air Force units. The 2nd Squadron of the 1521st first flew the MiG-23MLD. There were plans to reequip the squadron with the Su-27 Flanker but instead received high-time MiG-29 airframes. These aircraft also featured sharkmouth markings with other marking consisting of a "sour-faced" hornet superimposed on a red lightning bolt with the letters "AM" (aviabaza Maryy, airbase Marie) above it. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the 2nd Squadron's aircraft were transferred to the Kazakstan Air Force.

Please note: An optional display stand is available separately if you wish to display this model "in-flight".