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• Aeroplane 10/2010 • 2010-12-07
• AIR Modeller no 30 • 2010-12-07
• www.aerostories.org • 2010-12-07
• www.cybermodeler.com • 2010-12-07
• Military Aircraft Monthly 5-2010 • 2010-12-07
• Master Modelers no. 80 May 2010 • 2010-12-07
• Hyperscale.com • 2010-12-07
• Model Airplane International June 2010 • 2010-12-07
• www.scalemodellingnow.com • 2010-12-07
• IPMSUSA.org • 2010-12-07
• Allegro.pl - komentarz kupującego • 2010-03-15
• MiniReplika 65 • 2010-03-15

• Aeroplane 10/2010 • 2010-12-07
  
• AIR Modeller no 30 • 2010-12-07
  
• www.aerostories.org • 2010-12-07

  For anyone who has read my review on the previous volume on the Su7/Su20 (Polish Wings No.9), everyone could have noticed that I was expecting with great impatience the next one, the MiG-23… and to be true I was not disappointed, not at all. This title is retaking all the good points I discovered with the Polish Wings No.9, I mean concise history, full of photos (around 180, most in colour) and illustrations (profiles and badges – around 70), but this time, I can say that really all what you need to know about each aircraft is now written, even the number of hours flown by each airframe something which was sometime missing for the Su7/Su20 and furthermore we have also the number of landings ! Now, it will be difficult, may be impossible, to beat what Mushroom has done with the MiG-23 in Polish Air Force service. This series is improving title after title, and the next two ones, both on the MiG-29 let me think that they will be excellent as well. The price remains reasonable and will satisfy historians and modellers’ curiosity alike in giving relevant information on camouflage and markings. Now, guess what ? Am I impatient to have these two future books in hands ? Only one word : Yes !

  Phil Listemann

• www.cybermodeler.com • 2010-12-07

  By Ray Mehlberger

  Date of Review April 2010

  Stratus Publications is a partner of Mushroom Model Publications (MMP) in the UK. MMP has Stratus print a lot of their books in Poland for them in the English language.

  In the mid 1970’s a new fighter aircraft was needed for the Polish Country Air Defense Forces (WOPK). The fighter had to meet several principal criteria: high ceiling, high speed and the ability to operate and engage targets in all weather conditions. Few options were available, and the Soviet Mig-23 offer had to be accepted.

  The first offer was for the MS version, but problems in operations of their machines discouraged the Polish side from accepting the variant. After a large number of design faults were cured and the aircraft fitted with newer avionics, the Polish authorities decided to reconsider the offer. This time it was approved, resulting in a decision to train the first group of pilots on the new type.

  This new book from Stratus covers the Mig-23MF & Mig-23UB versions.

  The book is 80 pages long and in soft cover with a 11 ¾” x 8 ¼” page format. There is not a lot of text in the book. Only a one page history of the MS version and another on the UB. It is a virtual picture album otherwise. It contains 134 color photos and 36 black and white ones. There are 35 color profile illustrations (5 of these being 4-views) throughout the book. These color profiles appear on the same pages as actual photos of the aircraft being illustrated. Neat! At the back of the book, there are color illustrations of no less than 41 different Polish squadron logos and one data listing.

  On the index page there is a picture of a decal sheet by Techmod Decals that is available in 1/48th scale of marking for Mig-23's shown in this book. The cover arts of 3 other books in the Polish Wings series are shown too. Number 9 on the Sukhoi Su-7 & Su-20, Number 11 on the MiG-29 and Number 12 on the MiG-29/MiG-29UB.

  This book will be of great interest to aviation historian and enthusiasts and also to modelers.

  Highly recommended.

• Military Aircraft Monthly 5-2010 • 2010-12-07
  
• Master Modelers no. 80 May 2010 • 2010-12-07
  
• Hyperscale.com • 2010-12-07

  Reviewed by Mark Davies

  FirstRead

  Background

  The Mig-23 was developed in the 1960’s as an improvement on the MiG-21 in terms of range/payload capability whilst shortening take-off and landing distances. These capability improvements largely resulted form the adoption of a swing-wing design. A dedicated ground attack variant was produced as the MiG-27. Both the MiG-23 and 27were used in large numbers by the Soviet Union, as well as being adopted by many Warsaw Pact states and Third World client states.

  The Polish Airforce turned down the opportunity of acquiring early examples of the MiG-23 MS, but accepted later and improved MF version and UB trainers. These entered service in 1979 and replaced Lim-5’s (licence-built MiG-17’s) and MiG-21’s. By the early 1990’s maintenance problems were significant, and all MiG-23’s had been withdrawn from service by 1999.

  The Book

  This is the first example of the Polish Wings series by Stratus I have seen, and it is obviously part of a series on Polish aircraft from all periods.

  My first impressions are of a quality finish to the soft-cover A4 portrait format booklet.

  The content is focused on the MiG-23’s service career with the Polish Air Force, and list each aircraft’s history and final fate. This aspect of the book appears very well researched and frequently mentions individual pilots in conjunction with descriptions of training missions and accidents. The English text is easy to read and flows well, and does not suffer at all from presumably having been translated from Polish at some stage.

  The booklet is resplendent with 254 images consisting of good colour photos and numerous colour scheme profiles and plans, all of which are clearly captioned. Changes in colours and markings during the career of the aircraft are described in detail. There is also a section dealing with camouflage and unit badges at the end of the booklet.

  The book is very specific in its subject matter, and does not dwell on technical capabilities the aircraft or its performance. It is intended for those who want airframe histories and a good guide to colours and markings. As such it is ideal for the modeller who wants to produce an accurate finish on a Polish MiG-23.

  One slightly confusing aspect of the booklet is the appearance on page 2 of a picture a 1/48 scale Techmod decal sheet for the MiG-23. At first I thought perhaps this sheet accompanied the booklet, but as I could find none I concluded this page was intended to promote the decals.

  Conclusion

  This high quality booklet succeeds in providing the historian and modeller with Polish MiG-23 airframe histories and a comprehensive guide to the painting and markings schemes they wore. Recommended to those who have this specific focus.

• Model Airplane International June 2010 • 2010-12-07
  
• www.scalemodellingnow.com • 2010-12-07

  Reviewed by Geoff Coughlin

  This title from MMP will prove to be an invaluable reference – probably the best available to scale modellers anywhere in the world! Geoff Coughlin, Editor SMN]

  With the timely release by Trumpeter of their impressive new MiG-23MF “Flogger”, this title from MMP will provide a complete one-stop-shop by way of reference.

  This series has gone from strength to strength and it simply oozes quality on every level. First it’s the range of useful colour images – wide ranging and plentiful. Add to that the number of excellent all-aspect colour profiles and you have one word – Inspiration! If you like Russian and former Eastern Bloc aircraft, then this is for you. If you like the “Flogger” then this is a must, and, as I say, if you are thinking of building the type in scale model form, then this book will tip the balance and send you running to Hannants to buy the kits. The fact that the MiG-23UB two-seat version is included makes this book even greater value than it already is. Who knows, Trumpeter or one of the other manufacturers like Revell could well produce the two-seat version in 1:32 scale and kits already exist in smaller scales.

  Layout is clear and straightforward, taking each variant of the type and including relevant descriptive text and images. Probably the best features for me are the inclusion of full colour all-aspect drawings and profiles, plus, of course, those full colour images. The latter vital to the modeller to help us get that weathering and ‘look’ of our finished models just how we want them.

  Each of the types is given extensive coverage with the ‘MF’ first off. The development and entry into service is detailed along with tables briefly identifying individual aircraft serving in the Polish Air Force. The rugged, ‘agricultural’ look and feel of the “Flogger” is so well captured. Both camouflaged and ‘silver’ / grey aircraft schemes are in evidence.

  This series is growing into a first class scale modelling resource that anyone interested in military subjects will want to own. A colleague summed it up for me last week when he said the first thing he does in the morning is settle down with a cup of coffee and get one of these books out and browse. Great, you could spend your time doing a lot worse.

  Highly recommended

• IPMSUSA.org • 2010-12-07

  Reviewed By Ben Guenther, IPMS# 20101

  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.

• Allegro.pl - komentarz kupującego • 2010-03-15

  Komentarz dotyczy transakcji: Polish Wings No 10 - NOWOŚĆ

  Komentarz wystawił: kolec_44

  Rodzaj komentarza: Pozytywny

  Treść komentarza:

  "Dziękuję.Wysoki poziom edytorski,fantastyczne zdjęcia,rewelacyjne plansze barwne!!! Najlepsze opracowanie o MiGach-23 PSP jakie wyszło na świecie.

  Tak TRZYMAĆ Panowie!!!!! POLECAM!!!!!"

• MiniReplika 65 • 2010-03-15