The MiG-29 fighter jets formerly operated by the air forces of the National People's Army of East Germany found a new home at the then reactivated Fighter Wing 73 and were based at Rostock-Laage. On the occasion of the unit's open house day in the summer of 2001, 29+20 received this unique paint scheme. Three years later, in 2004, the same aircraft, still wearing the German national colors, was decommissioned together with all MiG-29s still in use and handed over to the Polish Air Force.

Designed to help the Soviet Union attain air superiority, the MiG-29 fighter was first flown on October 6th, 1977. The MiG-29, known as the "Fulcrum," has a high-mounted bubble canopy and twin jet engines with diagonal-shaped air intakes and large exhausts. Its tapered, swept-back wings and boom-mounted tail fins give it its classic look. Armed with medium and short-range missiles and unguided weapons for ground and sea-surface targets, the MiG-29's sight is a helmet-mounted system-the pilot chooses his targets by looking at them. Even today the Fulcrum remains a potent adversary, and will remain in service for at least another decade.

Info: MIG-29 Fulcrum-A - Luftwaffe JG 73 Steinhoff, 29+20, Rostock-Laage AB, East Germany, 2001