R-23 / 24 Apex Family

AERO Line, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Phil Parsons

Eduard's 1/48 scale MiG-21 Wheel Wells are available online from Squadron.com

Design of a new missile to arm the MiG-23 fighter started in the mid-1960s, known as the K-23 during its design, the new weapon was intended for use against bomber-sized targets. Originally intended to have a dual-mode seeker using both semi-active radar homing and infrared guidance, however this proved unfeasible, and separate SARH and IR models were developed instead.

The missile, designated R-23, entered service in January 1974, the SARH version as the R-23R, the IR version R-23T. Both versions used the same motor and warhead. In the west, these were known as the AA-7A and AA-7B, respectively. An inert training round, the R-23UZR, was also developed.

The airframe featured four delta wings arranged cruciform just behind the midpoint of the fuselage, and cropped-delta control surfaces at the extreme rear in-line with the wings. Smaller cropped-triangular surfaces are mounted in-line near the nose : known as "destabilizers", they serve to improve the rudders' efficiency at high angles of attack (the R-60 missile uses the same feature). The only external difference between the two versions was the nose cone, which was an ogive for the SARH seeker, and shorter (by 30 cm) and more rounded for the IR version.

Starting in 1975 an improved version of the weapon was developed to arm the MiG-23ML/MLD. The resultant SARH R-24R had lock-on after launch capability with expanded range and altitude capability, while the IR R-24T had a much improved seeker of greater sensitivity. Both versions had a larger motor, a heavier warhead, and a greatly reduced minimum range for a rear-quarter engagement. The missiles were known as the AA-7C and AA-7D in the west.

The R-24 remained in at least limited Russian service until the withdrawal of the last Russian MiG-23s in 1997.*

AERO Line provide the APEX series of missiles in the standard blister packs with the resin, PE and decals all in the one blister. The one minor disadvantage (common among all resin R-23 missiles) is that the rear fins have what appears to be an aerodynamic mass balance on the leading edge, which is easily damage. A possible option would be a redesigned casting block that would protect this area. The forward fins are provided in PE, with the mid body wings in resin, each wing position has a corresponding location moulding on the missile body.  A nice option within each set allows you to display the missile with or without environmental covers fitted. As with all AERO Line products that I have reviewed the casting is excellent with no flaws and minimal cleanup once removed from the casting block.

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A very nice addition provided by AEROLline  are the optional decals for the APU-23 pylon, giving you the option of a pylon for the MiG-23MF or ML.

I can highly recommend these missiles, especially the R24 missiles, as AERO Line currently are the only manufacturer making this variant. The other advantage with these missiles over the kit supplied plastic is that there are no seam lines to be removed, a big plus in my opinion.

* History from Wikipedia

Thanks to AERO line for the review sample www.plusmodel.cz

Review Text Copyright © 2013 by Phil Parsons
Page Created 21 October, 2013
Last updated 21 October, 2013

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