Mikoyan MiG-29B Baaz – 47 Sqn Black Archers, Indian Air Force, Adampur Air Force Station, India 2010

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA6510: Mikoyan MiG-29B Baaz #KB715 of 47 Sqn Black Archers, Indian Air Force, Adampur Air Force Station, India 2010. Production run of only 350 models.

Length 9.5 inches Wingspan 6.25 inches

In 1980 the Indian Air Force placed an order for 66 MiG-29s making them the first international country to do so even though the MiG-29 was in its initial development stage. Between 1986 and 1987 42 MiG-29s with serials KB701 to KB742 arrived. The paint scheme on these first arrivals didn”t have a standard IAF camouflage scheme, they wore Soviet colors and some of these aircraft colors varied. MiG-29 KB715 belongs to 47 Squadron “Black Archers” at Adampur Air Force Station. Adampur is a base for 8th Wing (47 and 223 Squadrons).

Designed to help the Soviet Union attain air superiority, the MiG-29 fighter was first flown on October 6th, 1977. The MiG-29, known as the “Fulcrum,” has a high-mounted bubble canopy and twin jet engines with diagonal-shaped air intakes and large exhausts. Its tapered, swept-back wings and boom-mounted tail fins give it its classic look. Armed with medium and short-range missiles and unguided weapons for ground and sea-surface targets, the MiG-29’s sight is a helmet-mounted system-the pilot chooses his targets by looking at them. Even today the Fulcrum remains a potent adversary and will remain in service for at least another decade.