|
A Mikoyan
Gurievich MiG-23 Flogger sits in front of an Antonov An-26 transport at the Museo
Nacional del Aire (National Air Museum), Avenida 212 y La Coronela, Cubanacan. The museum contains a spendid array of military
and civilian aircraft, plus models and exhibits recording notable moments in Cuban aviation history.
The MIG-23 is a variable-geometry wing configuration supersonic fighter and was built between 1969 and
1985 in two factories (Moscow and Irkutsk) in Russia. The Cubans received the first MiG-23 on June 6, 1978. They were 14 MiG-23BN
Flogger H and 2 MiG-23UB Flogger C. This first Squadron was for the 231° Regiment at San Antonio of the Baños. The MiG-23
appeared for first time in public during the military parade of January 2, 1979, celebrating the 20th Anniversary
of the Revolution. In spite of the bad weather conditions (rain, low visibility), 9 MiG-23BN at the command of the Colonel
Rafael del Pino passed over Revolution Square in three groups (Troikas) with the variable geometric wings in three different
positions: 16°, 45°, 72°.
To the right is another AN-26 in present day domestic service, seen here on the apron at Cayo Largo.
|
