Plate 063 — Aircraft
REF: BF-AIR-063MiG-21 Fishbed: Russian Fighter Aircraft
MIG21 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It is the most common post-World War II aircraft, with the exception of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.
The MiG21 saw frequent action in the Vietnam War and was one of the most advanced aircraft at the time. However, many North Vietnamese aces preferred flying the MiG-19, due to the wingload on the MiG-21's wings. Employing the popular triangular wings, it was the first successful Soviet aircraft combining fighter and interceptor in a single aircraft. It was a lightweight fighter, achieving Mach 2 speed using a relatively low-powered afterburning turbojet, and is thus comparable to the American F-104 Starfighter and French Dassault Mirage III.
It was used also in early stages of the wars in Afghanistan but soon outclassed by the newer MiG-23 and MiG-27.
The first prototype (called Ye-6) flew in 1957, entering service in 1958.
Currently MiG-21s, in the F/L variant are currently produced under license by HAL of India. However, following a series of about 250 crashes over the last decade, the Indian Air Force has announced that the MiG-21 will be phased out of service.
Specifications
Countries of Origin
Russia / China
Builder
Mikoyan-Gurevich [Russia]
Xian Aircraft [China] @ Shenyang, Chengdu & Guizhou
Variants
Similar Aircraft
Role
Span
23 ft. 6 in.
Length
51 ft. 9 in.
Height
15 ft. 9 in.
Weight
18,080 lbs. max.
Engines
MiG-21 = Tumansky R-11F-300 @ 12,675 lbst w/afterburner
J-7 III = Wopen-13 turbofan @ 14,550-lbst
Crew
One
Maximum speed
1,300 mph.
Cruising speed
550 mph.
Range
MIG-21 = 400 mi range
MIG-21bis = 600 nm range
J-7 = 230 mi / 370 km lo-lo-lo radius
J-7B = 375 mi / 600 km radius w/ 2 PL-2 AAM + internal fuel
J-7B = 450 mi / 750 km radius w/ 2 PL-2 AAM + drop tanks
J-7M = 550 mi / 875 km radius w/ 2 PL-2 AAM + drop tanks
J-7 III = 525 mi / 850 km radius hi-hi-hi air superiority w/ 2 AAM + drop tanks
J-7 III = 340 mi / 550 km radius lo-lo-hi ground attack w/ 2 bombs + drop tanks
J-7 III = 1,350 mi / 2,200 km ferry range
Service Ceiling
50,000 ft / 14000 meters
Internal Fuel
2277 kg MIG-21pfs
2364 kg MIG-21bis
869 kg J-8
In-Flight Refueling
No
Drop Tanks
MIG-21bis = Drop tank with 391kg of fuel for 51nm range
MIG-21bis = Drop tank with 631kg of fuel for 80nm range
MIG-21bis = Drop tank with 391kg of fuel for 50nm range
J-7 = 800 l drop tank with 639kg of fuel for 111nm range
Take-Off Runway
F-7M = 700-950 m (2,300-3,120 ft)
J-7 III = 800 m (2,625 ft) with afterburning
Landing Runway
F-7M = 600-900 m (1,970-2,955 ft) with brake-chute
J-7 III = 550 m (1,805 ft) with flap blowing, drag-chute and brakes
Sensors
MIG-21pfs = Spin Scan (R1L) radar, RWR, Balistic bombsight MIG-21bis = Jay Bird radar, RWR, Balistic bombsight
J-7 = Type 222 ranging radar, RWR, Ballistic bombsight
Armament
One NR-30 30mm cannon plus
MIG-21pfs = K-13 AA-2 atoll, FAB-500, FAB-250, UV-16-67 rocket pods
MIG-21bis = UV-69 57 rocket pods, AA-8 Aphid, FAB-250, FAB-500
J-7 = 2 PL-2 or PL-7 AAM and 1 800 L drop tank (685 nm)
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