Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF Aircraft Data
Photo ID 172039 by Lukas Kinneswenger. Slovakia Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 8208
Single-engine, light, multi-role, fighter-bomber.

The Soviet Mig-21 'Fishbed' is an iconoclastic stalwart of Cold War military aviation. To this day, the Mig-21 and its numerous variants remain the most widely-produced fighter in history. The 'MF' is a third generation Mig-21, and widely used by the USSR and client states.

The biggest difference between the Mig-21MF and it's predecessor, the Mig-21M, was the fitting of a R-13-300 turbojet and a RP-22 RADAR. The Mig-21M is an export version of the Mig-21SM. The MF's engine and RADAR come from the Mig-21SM. The Mig-21MF was built in Gorky from 1971 to 1974.

Many of the Mig-21MF's in service have been superseded by the later Mig-21bis, or other Mig variants. The Czech Republic gave up their MF's for the Saab Jas-39C 'Gripens' in 2004. Many air arms in developing countries still rely on the Mig-21 for their air support tasks.
  • Country of Origin: USSR
  • First Flight: 2/14/55
  • Initial Service Date: 1959
  • No. Built: 1,200
  • No. In Service: 900 (approx.)
  • No. of Hardpoints: 5
  • Crew: 1

Power:

One Tumansky R-13-300 afterburning turbojet at 14,308 lbf

Weapons:

1 x internal GSh-23L 23mm. cannon with 200 rds.
4 x R-3S/R (AA-2 'Atoll') AAM's
2 x UB-32-57, or UB-16-57 unguided rocket pods.
4 x 250/500kg. unguided bombs
4 x R-60/M (AA-8 'Aphid') AAM's

Dimensions:

Length: 40 ft. 4 in.
Wing Span: 23 ft. 5.7 in.
Wing Area: 247.6 sq.ft
Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
Empty Weight: 11,790 lbs
Max. Weight: 20,720 lbs
Max. Ordnance Load: 2,865 lbs
Internal Fuel: 5,842 lbs

Performance:

Max. Speed: 1,386 mph
Service Ceiling: 59,700 ft.
Normal Range: 565 nm
Max. Range: 843 nm

Operators:

[Current MF operators]: Cuba (FAR, 60), Egypt (Air Force, 110), Ethiopia (Air Force, 48), Guinea (FAG, 8), India (IAF, 158), Libya (LARAF, 50), Mali (Air Force, 2), North Korea (KPAAF, 150?), Romania (FAR, 70), Sudan (SAF, 18), Syria (SAF, 135), Uganda (Air Force, 18), Vietnam (VPAAF, 60), Yemen (YAF, 21).

Random great photos of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF:

Photo ID 5406 by Paul J. Gross - Aviationreport. Romania Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 6003
Photo ID 130905 by Chris Albutt. Slovakia Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 9815
Photo ID 10634 by Jiri Sofilkanic. Czech Republic Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 5512
Photo ID 233115 by Aldo Bidini. Poland Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 6506
Photo ID 196530 by Gyula Rácz. Hungary Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 9309
Photo ID 129523 by Roman Mr.MiG. Slovakia Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 7714
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