THE MIG 29 FULCRUM

The Scale Built thread location of the Superb MIG 29 Fulcrum.
I’ll be all geared up to start on a scale detail’s journey soon on that fast mover fighter jet …

The role of the MiG-29 is practically the same as the role of previous MiG interceptors: the MiG-21 and 23.

It is supposed to operate under strict control of GCI stations, over friendly territory. It was required to intercept Western bombers and recce planes at different altitudes and in high mach numbers. Thus the Fulcrum has a very good acceleration, climb speed, and maximum velocity, while the range and ECM (which in the first version simply doesn’t exist) suffer.

The Soviet Union has always lagged behind the West when it came to avionics. If the MiG-29 was to be able to counter Western machines, sacrifices had to be made. The radar is limited in range and capabilities: it loses lock easily, has no ride assesment mode, and is voulnerable to beaming. Defence systems (RWR, ECM) are either outdated or nonexistant. The cockpit lacks any „fancy” digital displays and HDDs, and the aircraft isn’t pilot-friendly.

The Fulcrum however has two important aces up its sleeve – the IRST and the HMCS. The IRST (OEPS-29) or Infra Red Search and Track system allows for passive detection and cueing, supports the radar, and can serve as a backup if the radar malfunctions. The HMCS or Helmet Mounted Cueing System is one of the factors that makes the MiG-29 a deadly dogfighter. It can cue R-60 and R-73 missiles onto targets even 45 degrees off boresight, allowing the Russian plane to fire first. However, the capabilities of the IRST and the HMCS, and the R-73 missiles are greatly decreased due to the poor situational awareness assured by the poor avionics and the dependance on support from ground control stations.

MiG-29A ‘Fulcrum-A’ / MiG-29S ‘Fulcrum-C’
http://lomac.strasoftware.com/flyables-mig29.php

The very light GSh-301 packs a good punch, and is highly accurate (with the help of the laser rangefinder fitted into the OEPS-29). Close range R-73 is the first air to air missile fitted with thrust vectoring in operational service. This feature makes it very maneuverable, and able to fire on off-boresight targets. The R-27R medium range SARH missile is a roughly comparable with the US-built AIM-7 Sparrow; with the introduction of the AMRAAM both became completely outdated. An R-27R fitted MiG-29 with its poor radar has a low probability of success in BVR air combat with modern Western jets. Rest assured, the MiG-29 has considerable advantages to its direct competition in the WVR-arena, but also significant disadvantages in the BVR-arena.

Air-to-ground armament is composed of dumb bombs and rockets, and without significant upgrades, the MiG-29 is almost two generations behind ist counterparts.

The Fulcrum is considered easy to fly and very maneuverable: it should have slightly better initial and substained turn rates and be more flexible in maneuver than the F-16A, and on pair with the F-16C. The maximal operating altitude, velocity, and initial climb speed figures are higher when compared to F-16 and F-18, and closer to the F-15.

The only poor performance is range. It is half of that of the F-16. This makes the MiG-29 unable to do any serious offencive sorties beyond the FEBA.

To conclude, the MiG-29 is effective only in the scenario it was built for – GCI controled interceptions over friendly territory or over the front. It was built as a single role Soviet-style plane.

The MIG 29 Fulcrum at his best on a “AOA” air operations area climb.

THE MIG 29 FULCRUM scale project will follow here soon