In summer 1980, No. 109 Squadron at Wahda AB was reinforced through the deployment of at least one flight of four MiG-23MS from No. 39 Squadron. This early variant was ‘nothing but trouble’, taking IrAF four years of additional studies, flight testing, and the writing of new flight and technical manuals before it became fully operational. Even then, it suffered from poor manufacturing quality, poor navigationattack equipment and armament. It was slated for ground attack purposes during preparations for the invasion of Iran, pending service entry of the much improved MiG-23MF. All Iraqi MiG-23MSs wore this standardised camouflage pattern consisting of beige (BS381C/388), dark brown (BS381C/411), and olive drab (BS381/298) on top surfaces and sides, and light admiralty grey (BS381C/697) on undersurfaces. Artwork by Tom Cooper)