This is an AIR DEFENCE EMERGENCY SCRAMBLE to intercept incoming U.S. Navy aircraft north of the Kola peninsula in about 1981. The aircraft is part of the 174th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the PVO-Strany at Monchegorsk Air Base in the Murmansk Oblast. The aircraft, yellow 43, wears the Guards crest, and is part of an Order of the Red Banner squadron named in honour of BF Safonov. The aircraft is named Mikhail M. Gromov in honour of the famed Soviet test pilot, long range aviator, and commander (1899-1985). The M.M. Gromov Flight Research Institute is named in his honour.
The MiG-25 was first flown in 1964, and entered combat squadrons in 1970, and was produced until 1984. This was the final aircraft designed by Mikhail Gurevich, and was meant to intercept the new USAF B-70 Valkyrie supersonic strategic heavy bomber (which never went into production). It was the second-fastest production aircraft in the world, and holds several aviation records. Today it is the fastest production aircraft remaining in service. Over 1100 were built in several variants.
Paint is Vallejo acrylics and decals are from the IPMS Ottawa decal bank.
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| MiG-25 air defence scramble at Monchegorsk air base, c. 1981 |
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| 1:144 scale Hobby Craft MiG-25 interceptor |
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| MiG-25 air defence scramble at Monchegorsk air base, c. 1981 |
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| MiG-25 air defence scramble at Monchegorsk air base, c. 1981 |
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| MiG-25 air defence scramble at Monchegorsk air base, c. 1981 |
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| MiG-25 air defence scramble at Monchegorsk air base, c. 1981 |
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| MiG-25 air defence scramble at Monchegorsk air base, c. 1981 |
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| MiG-25 air defence scramble at Monchegorsk air base, c. 1981 |
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| MiG-25 air defence scramble at Monchegorsk air base, c. 1981 |
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| MiG-25 air defence scramble at Monchegorsk air base, c. 1981 |
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| MiG-25 air defence scramble at Monchegorsk air base, c. 1981 |
