Mikoyan MiG-21
The MiG-21 is the fighter aircraft built in greatest number after the Second World War, a veteran of various conflicts, of which the Vietnam war was the most known. Despite being obsolete it remains in service in some countries until present.
In 1950s in the USSR studies on supersonic frontline fighter began. The Mikoyan bureau designed Ye-2 and Ye-2A experimental aircraft with swept wings and Ye-4 and Ye-5 with delta wing. The Ye-5 was produced in short series as MiG-21. Flight tests proved better characteristics of the delta wing, and studies on Ye-2, Ye-2A, Ye-4 and Ye-5 ceased to focus on the Ye-6, which was the further development version of theYe-5. The Ye-6 with a new R-11F-300 engine first flew in 1958. It entered production in 1959 as MiG-21F, armed with two 30 mm cannons, bombs and rocket launchers. In 1960 a new version MiG-21F-13 (pictured), armed with one cannon and capable of carrying K-13 infrared guided air to air missiles, (a copy of the American AIM-9 Sidewinder), was developed.
A subsequent version was the MiG-21PF, equipped with a radar, armed with two radar homing RS-2US and IR homing K-13 missiles, with no fixed cannon armament, and with an additional dorsal fuel tank, produced 1962 - 1966. The successor of the PF version was the MiG-21PFM, produced 1964 - 1968. Modifications included new KM-1 ejection seat which led to replace the single piece canopy hinged to forward with a windscreen and canopy hinged to the right, enlarged fin, redesigned wings with blown flaps to improve take-off characteristics. A new fire control system was applied, which enabled the aircraft to attack ground targets with bombs and rocket missiles. A ventral provision for a GM-9 gun pod with twin barrel GSh-23 cannon was added.
The third generation of the MiG-21 was developed basing on Vietnam and Israeli/Arab wars experience, which proved the need of range and weapon load increase. The first was the MiG-21R reconnaissance fighter, with enlarged spine, housing an additional 340 l tank, second pair of underwing pylons plumbed to accept drop tanks. In 1965 a fighter version MiG-21S, with dorsal tank housed in enlarged sp ine and four underwing weapon/fuel provisions inherited from the R version was developed. The aircraft was fitted with a new RP-22 radar and ASP-PFD gunsight. A subsequent version was MiG-21SM, powered by new R-13-300 engine and featuring integral GSh-23 ventral cannon. The export version MiG-21MF, with the engine and radar of the SM version was subsequently developed and produced 1970 - 1975.
Displayed MiG-21MF, number 9107 was the aircraft of the CO of the 10th Fighter Regiment at Łask, Major Dariusz Pacek. The aircraft took part in the NATO Eagle’s Talon exercise and made eight missile launches to aerial target.
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Wingspan: | 7.15 m (24 ft) |
Length: | 12.28 (47.6 ft) |
Wing area: | 23 sq.m (247.6 sq.ft) |
Take-off weight: | 9,400 kg (21,605 lb) |
Maximum speed: | 2230 km/h (1200 kt) |
Service ceiling: | 18 200 m (57,750 ft) |
Range: | 1,420 km (766 NM) |
Armament: One 23 mm cannon GSh-23L and 4 R-3S, R-3R or R-60 air to air missiles, bombs or rocket launchers. |
Powerplant: R-13-300 turbojet rated at 14,550 lb with afterburner |
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