Going back to the topic of 23-98.
judging by this photo, missiles don’t have markings that would signify that it’s a mock-up
They are real missiles but it is just an MLD with the R-77 attached, 23-98 never want far, and these pictures of it are just an MLD with different rail attached and weapons laid out in front of it
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Fair enough if that’s true. Honestly with ML existing in-game gaijin could give MLD its historical R-73s and bump it to 12.0-12.3 to give USSR something at that bracket.
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Did the Mig-23MLs or Ms not have any flares at all, or did they not have top mounted flare dispensers?
Also, how are they missing more R-60s?
12.3 would be a fair BR for it, and it would differentiate it more when compared to the ML.
No flares at all, only gun launched chaff.
They should be able to carry 8xR-60, the double R-60 rack is also allowed on the wings, allowing it to carry 8xR-60
Also as seen in MiG-23M manual for available weapons
8xR-60
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Honestly, we can write it down as a development cost cut, because i can’t really find a reason why on earth would you want 2 R-60s instead of R-24. Maybe on Ms and MFs because R-23 is kinda ass.
I think they were actually datamined with the loadout just not added. I suppose for farmers with 2 Napalm it could be nice to run a 2xNapalm, 2xR-60 and 1xR-24 maybe
was MLD ever exported?
thats… an MLD without MLD wing?
Yes. Export MLD did not have the dogtooth that soviet MiG-23MLD had. Along with other aerodynamically improvements
Taken from “The MiG-23 Fighter, Defending the Skies of the Motherland”
the plant only assembled MiG-23s to fulfill foreign orders, and the newly produced MiG-23MLDs were intended for Bulgaria, Libya, and Syria. These aircraft were export versions labeled as “Product 23-22,” models A (for Warsaw Pact countries) and B (for other countries). They lacked the aerodynamic improvements like the second “fang” and wing pylons with turbulators. The SOSA remained unchanged, but the aircraft were equipped with radar N008E (also an export version), SRO15LM, A-321, and under-fuselage pylons with PKVP-23.
Reading Истребитель МиГ-23 История Конструкция Вооружение Боевое применение by С. Бурдин
Judging by this there is a 23-18 (MLD) model that was called 23MLAE. So i guess technically there is a possibility of 23MLA with flares because both PKVP-23 and BVP-50-60 were installed on 23-18 airframes (PKVP-23 on every single one, BVP-50-60 on every 10th one). Tho that would also imply installation of SPO-15 as well.
No MLA had flares, MLAE is export MLD, so better radar so on. 23-18 is MLD airframe
a compromise decision was made to upgrade the existing MiG-23ML fighters following the pattern of the so-called “Product 23-18.” This involved a comprehensive modernization of weapon systems, equipment, and the incorporation of aerodynamic improvements. The upgraded aircraft were designated as MiG-23MLD, retaining their original serial numbers but being considered as “Product 23-18.” However, it’s worth noting that the name MiG-23MLD encompassed two different versions of the fighter, even differing in appearance - the aforementioned export aircraft of the factory’s production, labeled “Product 23-22,” and the domestic ones upgraded in service following the “Product 23-18” pattern.
Ye, i know that it is an export MLD. What i am saying is that in War Thunder and Gaijin certified attention to details they can just say that German MLA is “23-22” airframe. Sure it will come with even more questions than answers but when did gaijin bother?
WT already has lots of things on planes/tanks that they shouldnt have, I dont think lying about 23-12A having flares is any use when other planes also have flares/weapons/fm etc that they shouldnt
True. And with how “case by case” it is with Gaijin sometimes we get hilarious things like F-5C with flares at the same time as F-4C without them.
Interesting bit of history. I had found this image and wondered if it was MiG-23M carrying R-24s, since the pylon looks to be APU-23M-1 and they are missing the rear counterweight. It turns out that this was MiG-23M aircraft with serial number 7110, modified to be able to fire R-24 missile. As far as I’m aware this was a one of modification and proposed plans to upgrade MiG-23M like this did not continue
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Considering how problematic M and MF airframe was, no wonder it didn’t stick. ML and MLD is a better choice to upgrading MF in pretty much every single metric.
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mig-23 mti filter implemented incorrectly
https://community.gaijin.net/issues/p/warthunder/i/HSeJ1FoUwY4p