Pipe Creek Township in Grissom Air Force Base in Miami County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23

211

— Grissom Air Museum —

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 5, 2026

1. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 Marker

Inscription. Specifications:
Manufacture: Mikoyan-Gurevich
Designation: MiG-23 MLD
Serial Number: 0390327211/18423
Official Name: Mikoyan- Gurevich MiG-23MLD
Nickname: Flogger-K
Initial cost: $6.6 million USD (1980)
Function: 2nd generation Point Defense Fighter
Crew: 1 pilot
Wingspan: 45ft 10in (full spread); 25ft 6in (full swept)
Length: 56ft 10in
Height: 15ft 10in
Powerplant: 1 Khatchaturov R-350300 Jet
Thrust: 18,800 lbs force
Empty weight: 32,717 lbs
Max weight: 39,242 lbs
Cruising speed: 600 mph
Max speed: 2.35 Mach (1,553 mph)
Service ceiling: 60,695 ft
Range: 1,752 miles
Armament: 4 R-3/K-13 air to air missiles, Gryazev- Shipunov GSh-23L (23 mm) autocannon, 2 Kh-23 air-to- surface missile, up to 4 UB- 16 rocket pods
Number built: 5,047
Year built: 1984
Year retired: 2002
Avionics: high lark radar, RWR, IRST, basic bombsight

Mission:
The MiG-23 was developed by the Soviet Union to create a lighter, single engine fighter with greater agility. It was built to improve the maneuverability, especially at high angle of attacks. While being considered the ultimate fighter of the MiG class in its time, the plane

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was equipped with newer technologies including new flight control systems. A fourth wing sweep at 33-degrees was supposed to allow for deacceleration during dogfights and reduce turn radius. However, this has the opposite effect where the plane was difficult to handle and achieved poor acceleration. The aircraft can also set the wing sweep to 16-, 45-, and 72- degree angles. From the first flight in 1967, they were used in several different countries and armed forces across Europe and Asia including Afghanistan, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, India, Russia, and Ukraine. Over 20 different variants of the 23 were created with various weaponry and aerodynamic attachments. The 23s were developed into the MiG-27 and -29s and other variations.

Our Aircraft:
Our MIG-23 MLD was operated out of the Bulgarian Air Force, stationed at Gabrovnitsa Airfield from 1985-1998 and Dobroslavtsi Air Base from 1998-2002. It was one of sixteen aircrafts to be given to Bulgaria from the Soviet Union. The aircraft was responsible to defend the capital as well as various nuclear power plants from outside adversaries. Dobroslavtsi has since been decommissioned

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 5, 2026

2. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 Marker

and is a resting yard for many retired MiG-23s. This aircraft was retired in 2002 and later brought to Texas to work with the United States Air Force in enemy defense, but the project never developed. After sitting in Texas heat for several years, the aircraft was donated to Grissom Air Museum to continue telling the Cold War story.

Through the generosity of Mr. Kevin Cocquyt, we have been able to refurbish and renovate the aircraft after years of retirement.

Erected by Grissom Air Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military. A significant historical year for this entry is 1984.

Location. 40° 40.14′ N, 86° 7.812′ W. Marker is in Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana, in Miami County. It is in Pipe Creek Township. It is at the intersection of West Hoosier Boulevard and U.S. 31, on the right when traveling west on West Hoosier Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 W Hoosier Boulevard, Peru IN 46970, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn

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Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Grumman Aircraft F-11A (here, next to this marker); Republic Aviation Corporation F-105D (a few steps from this marker); McDonnell Aviation F-4C (within shouting distance of this marker); Cessna T-37B (within shouting distance of this marker); Lockheed T-33A (within shouting distance of this marker); McDonnell Aircraft F-101B (within shouting distance of this marker); North American/Rockwell T-2C (within shouting distance of this marker); Cessna O-2A (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grissom Air Force Base.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 16, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.