"Nele VII" wrote in message ...
No. My sources are, among others is website "Russian Aviation Museum",
Article from Military Parade July-August '97, Salamander book "MiGs" with a
nice photo of the gun, from what is obvious it is(they are) 23, NOT 30mm
barrel(s).

-30 is the newer gun that belongs to -30mm "family" that includes
single-barrel GSh-301 (MiG-29/Su27), single-barrel 2A42 (choppers) double
barrel GSh 30 (Su-25) and 30K, six barrel GSh-6-30...

Sorry, but I must disagree with you. It may be that some MiG-27s were
fitted with the GSh-6-23, but the GSh-6-30 is the more common fit.
This is from 'Flying Guns: the Modern Era':

"Later the USSR decided that the MiG-23 fighter would be a good basis
for a modern Shturmovik, and ordered a dedicated attack development
that was designated MiG 27. After some debate, supersonic performance
was retained, to enable the aircraft to get in and out of the fighting
area quickly, but the engine installation was considerably simplified.
The MiG 27 had a flat "duck nose" with navigation and attack systems
instead of fighter radar. The lower nose allowed redesign of the
cockpit, with a much better forward and downward view and armour to
protect the pilot. The aircraft also received a system that
pressurised the fuel tanks with inert gas, and stronger landing gear
for rough-field operations. The GSh-6-30 cannon was installed instead
of the GSh-23L.

The MiG-27 is the sole confirmed carrier of the GSh-6-30 (although
there are reports that it has been fitted to some versions of the
MiG-31 and Su-25), a six-barrel rotary gun firing the powerful 30x165
cartridge at up to 5,000 rpm. The vibration and recoil of this potent
weapon caused MiG considerable installation problems. Only 265 rounds
are carried, limiting the firing time to 3.2 seconds. The gun was at
first left totally exposed, but on the MiG 27M later the breech was
given a cover to protect it from debris thrown up by the tires, and
gas deflector vanes were added. On the wing SPPU-22-01 gun pods, with
guns that can be depressed for ground strafing, can be carried."

Incidentally, I don't know where the figure of 200 kg for the GSh-6-23
came from - possibly for the whole installation, but the gun weighs
only around 75 kg. Even the GSh-6-30 weighs only 160kg as a bare gun.

Tony Williams
Military gun and ammunition website: http://www.quarry.nildram.co.uk
Discussion forum at: http://forums.delphiforums.com/autogun/messages/