The MiG-27 is a dedicated ground attack variant of the MiG-23 that was built for the Soviet Air Forces. Unlike the MiG-23BN ground attack variant, which still carries the GSh-23L two-barreled 23mm cannon, the MiG-27 instead is fitted with a six-barreled GSh-6-30 Gatling-type 30 millimeter cannon. Unlike the 23mm gun, the 30mm is not shrouded by a cover and so the barrels are fully exposed. The only 1/48 scale kit of this aircraft is the former ESCI kit now made by ITALERI and it does come with a 30mm Gatling gun. It is molded in two halves and the seams must be cleaned up. The detail is rather simplistic and the barrels a little large. Given its visible position, it really needs greater detail.

Quickboost now offers a replacement cannon which is a simple one-for-one swap out – it’s intended to attach where the kit gun attaches and provides the detail lacking in the kit parts. The gun is cleanly cast and offers far more detail, both in the gun housing and the barrel detail. What is particularly striking is the muzzle which includes the gas ejector and protective shield. A word of caution: the kit instructions are very poor for locating the gun, so you will need a good set of reference photos.

This is as an easy replacement at a good price that is definitely a must if you are building the MiG-27. My thanks go to Quickboost for providing the sample and to IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review it.