MiG-21s

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 22-02-02 AT 10:49 PM (GMT)]Hello to you all,

The MiG 21 is probably one of the most remarkable planes (if it isn’t the most …) of the 20th century, it still serves in a lot of airforces. I think this might be a good opportunity to learn more about the a/c and its different versions. It is believed that about 12.500 MiG-21s were produced in the USSR. Variants were also manufactered in India and Czechoslovakia, while China produced serveral thousand more as the J-7.

First Generation Fishbeds

– where?

Although once widely used by a lot of air arms, the early versions of the Fishbed are in decline.
The MiG21PF/PFM are still in service with Algeria, Cuba, Egypt, Guinea Republic, India, Iraq, Laos,
Madagascar, Poland, Syria and Yogoslavia

– Variants

MiG-21F : original production version of 1955
MiG-21F-13 : compatible with the K-13 (AA-2) heat-seeking aam.
MiG-21P + MiG 21PF : fitted with TsD-30 radar.
MiG-21FL + MiG-21PFV : variants used by the airforces of India and North Vietnam.
MiG-21 PFM : entered service in 1964 with airframe and armament alterations, as well as a new two-piece cockpit canopy.
MiG-21U ‘Mongol A’ : two-seat trainer of the F-13.

Second Generation Fishbeds

– where?

Same as the first gen. + Bulgaria, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Romania (Lancer), Yemen and Zambia

– Variants

MiG-21R : recce role
MiG-21S/SM/M/MF/MT/SMT :pure fighter roles
MiG 21US/UM ‘Mongol B’ : trainers

– Upgrades
Aerostart/Elbit Lancer
MiG-21-93

Third Generation Fishbeds

– where? at least 21 air arms still operate the type.

– Variants

MiG-21bis ‘Fishbed L/N’ : fighters
MiG-12bisN : tactical nuclear strike missions

OK I hope this helps a bit. Ofcourse this list is not complete and I don’t know all the differences of each version. I would be very glad if somebody can illustrate each version with a picture.

Here are some liks to previous similar topics.

http://www.keymags.co.uk/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=3…

http://www.keymags.co.uk/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=1…

http://www.keymags.co.uk/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=7…