Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF Aircraft Data
Photo ID 212956 by Michal Krsek. Vietnam Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 5114
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Many of the Mig-21MF's in service have been superseded by the later Mig-21bis, or other Mig variants.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 27542 by Roman Mr.MiG. Slovakia Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 7704
Photo ID 62018 by Horatiu Goanta. Hungary Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 4408
Photo ID 14996 by Chris Lofting. Romania Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 9807
Photo ID 55259 by Jörg Pfeifer. Hungary Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 4404
Photo ID 129500 by Chris Albutt. Slovakia Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 8205
Photo ID 47353 by Eric Tammer. Czech Republic Air Force Mikoyan Gurevich MiG 21MF, 4307
More photos »