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SF2 MiG-23MF fighter- Cockpit, working Mig-23MF HUD, and aircraft

Included is the fully working MiG-23MF 'Flogger-B', cockpit and working Mig-23MF HUD cockpit converted to SFP2.

This MiG-23MF swing wing fighter saw much combat and claimed multiple kills over the years. The Mig-23/Mig-27 was the most important Soviet fighter type from the mid-to-late 1970s. It was designed to replace the famous MiG-21.

The MiG-23MF was a first generation MiG-23 and was not designed for close-in maneuvering. This would come with the later second generation MiG-23ML ("L" for lightweight). However, the MiG-23MF was still formidable if used as a hit and run fighter.

Short takeoff and landing was a major consideration in the case of a NATO vs WARSAW Pact confrontation. Also, the Mig-23 was designed to be able to be able to accept or decline combat against western fighters using hit and run tactics- maneuverability being a secondary consideration. As a result, it was designed to be faster in speed, faster accelerating and faster climbing than most western fighters...in which it mostly suceeded. It was much faster climbing than the F-4 Phantom with a reported initial climb rate of 45,000+ feet per minute.

However, it reportedly had an even higher wing loading than the Phantom of about 94/lbs per sq feet at normal takeoff weight and normal wing sweep. One of the contributing results was reportedly a very poor instantaneous turn rate of 11.5 degrees per second at Mach .9 at 15,093 feet and 8.6 degrees per second at Mach .5 at 15,093 feet (Mike Spick-Illustrated Directory of Fighters). The Mig-21 reportedly had a much better maximum instantaneous turn rate of around 18.9 deg/sec. in some configurations. Although a lot of factors are involved in instantaneous turn rates, it does give a general idea.

It equipped more Soviet fighter and attack regiments than any other Soviet fighter then in service in the 1970s. Over a thousand were estimated to be confronting NATO from both Soviet and WARSAW Pact nations.

This is from the original Mirage Factory (although it has been modified by so many people over the years that it is basically a new aircraft).

This Mig-23MF was a major production model after 1978. It could fire beyond visual range (BVR) missiles even for foreign countries and had a standard internal 23mm gun. Its radar was thought to be broadly comparable to the McDonnell Douglas F4J Phantoms' radar...formidable indeed.

Mig-23s emerged victorious against maneuvering Western-trained Mirage F-1s over Africa on 27 September 1987, so the Mig-23's weapons systems could be effective.
http://www.acig.org/...ticle_184.shtml

You can download the original Mirage Factory Mig-23 SFP1 package here:
http://forum.combata...p;showfile=5211

The Mig-23MF was the first major production version and also used largely for export. It saw combat in the Middle East with Syria and reportedly had some F-4 and F-16 kills.

It was a much improved export version after the previous MS version. The Warsaw pact, India, Lybia, Syria, Egypt, Cuba and others used the MF version. It fired radar-guided missiles and so was a BVR threat with its AA-7 Apex missiles.

Pilot report http://www.warbirdso...87/Default.aspx

This was so complicated to make work in SFP2, that I had to end up just making it one complete download. If it wasn't loading or blowing up on the runway, then the HUD was not visible, the pilot was out of his seat, the plane was invisible, or the cockpit was invisible, pieces were flying permanently along side you in flight blocking your view, you were flying sideways, and you could not pick weapons. It took pieces from endless airplanes and projects to finally make it work including parts from SFP2.

To my surprise, -the jewel-, the extremely complex Mig-23MF working HUD from Starfighter in SFP1 actually started working!

Directions:

1) Back up your Mig-23MF folder.

2) Just download the whole filefolder Mig-23MF intact into your SFP2 aircraft folder as one folder....ie into the C:\mydocuments\thirdwire\SFP2\objects\aircraft

3) When asked to overwrite say yes.

-Finished!

MiG-23M 'Flogger-B' First production fighter
MiG-23MF 'Flogger-B' Improved MiG-23M with a new radar and an infrared sensor pod, major production model after 1978

For strengths, it had incredible acceleration that reportedly equalled the later F-16 and F-15s. It also had an incredible climb rate and almost unmatched speed at low altitudes.

For weaknesses, it had a terribly slow turn, slow rate of roll and high angle of attack limitations and vicious stall characteristics in certain situations. Better keep it fast.

Good tactics in the MF are to sneak in fast at a low altitude, shoot and then run or use your fantastic rate of climb and acceleration in a vertical fight.
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FLIGHT NOTES FROM A MiG-23 PILOT: The Mig-23 had incredible strengths and incredible weaknesses.

WEAKNESSES: For weaknesses, most Mig-23s never could turn or roll very well compared to its enemies and had very heavy controls. Its roll was hurt by its control system (spoilers and a diferential tail and the disconnection of spoilers at any but 16 degrees).

In close combat, the earlier versions in particular were a deathtrap because unless the pilot stayed within certain tight maneuvering limits, it would often lose control and simply crash. Its cockpit visiblility was one of the worst of any fighter. Visibility is life in a dogfight.

It had slushy controls in many areas of its flight regime and its nose would often hunt back and forth. Its unpredictable accelerated stall was often taking ones life into ones hands if attempted. It also had the typical Soviet disadvantage of a very short range. There are reports of its radar not working much of the time and it often not being mission ready.

It is hard to use an aircraft if it is not working.

Red Eagles, Steve Davies "Flying the Mig-23"

http://books.google....result&resnum=4

It is true that later versions had much improved handling/systems. However, I understand that maneuvering limits still existed.

http://dewarbirdraci...87/Default.aspx

http://www.flightglo...20-%200508.html

http://www.warbirdso...87/Default.aspx

Thanks to

-The Mirage Factory for the original Mig-23 in SFP1.
-Lindr2 , for the new external model and for armament options.
-Armourdave and Sal for orignal SU-17 cockpit.
-Nele for the superb flight model that shows that the Mig-23 goes straight and up like an arrow, but is a bear in the turning and rolling department and accelerated stall department.
-column5 Previous Flight Model:
-Pasko Pilot
-USAFMTL, Crab_02, Sony Tuckson
Testing, etc:
-Starfighter2- for the incredible avionics HUD
-Wrench- helpful hints on moving around the SFP1 cockpit gages and hints on converting aircraft to SFP2.
TK and Thirdwire - for SFP1 and the armament and options in the SFP2 version.

Not for payware in anyway. If you develop this more, please quote the authors.

Enjoy!

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Updated June 24, 2019

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