If the United States has developed fighters that have staying power over many yearsthe venerable F-4, F-15, and F-16 come to mindthen the Russian MiG-21 must surely share that space. The MiG21 made its public debut in a Soviet air display in 1956. Known as an air-to-air missile fighter, the MiG-21 can also wage war with an internally mounted 23mm cannon. Some like to call the MiG21 the AK-47 of jet fighters. Like the famed short Soviet rifle, the MiG-21 has proven to be both lethal and long-lived around the world.
Just as avionics and weapons updates have kept the F-15 and F-16 potent into the 21st century, the venerable MiG-21 has been the subject of upgrades that keep it in contention today. The Soviets readily exported MiG-21s to many nations, from Europe to Asia. MiG-21s still serve at least 15 countries worldwide, ranging from Cuba to Croatia and Romania.
The basic MiG-21 was conceived as a short-range interceptor relying on ground radars for vectoring to its aerial target. Under these circumstances, the MiG-21's prominent shock cone nose inlet, which inhibited the use of long-range onboard radar, was not viewed as a detriment. The MiG-21 is a lightweight fighter that achieves Mach 2 and enjoys good maneuverability. It is sometimes compared to the F-5 and F-104 in performance.
MiG-21 Development
The progenitor of all MiG-21s the prototype called “Ye-2,” an ambitious jet with a swept wing. It first flew on a February day in 1955. Performance fell short of the intended Mach 2 speed, and the design evolved into a delta-wing planform, retaining a traditional horizontal tail as well. Subsequent test iterations up to Ye-6 yielded the basic MiG-21 form. By 1959–60, the Soviet Air Force was flying a small batch of MiG-21F variants armed with two 30mm cannons. This model carried the Soviet Air Force designation “Type 72” and the NATO identification name of “Fishbed B.”
By 1962, Warsaw Pact nations were receiving deliveries of the improved MiG-21F-13, Type 74 (Fishbed C), featuring an enlarged ventral fin and a change in canopy design. The C model carried only one cannon but had two underwing hardpoints that could load air-to-air or air-to-ground missiles; this would prove to be a fortuitous advancement for the aircraft. Iterations of the MiG-21F set the tone.
This story is from the December 2018 edition of Flight Journal.
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This story is from the December 2018 edition of Flight Journal.
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Keeping 'em Flying!- The new generation of warbird pilots, restorers and mechanics
The new generation of warbird pilots, restorers and mechanics. Nearly 80 years after the end of World War II, the fighters, bombers, and trainers that defended freedom continue to enthrall and inspire audiences at airshows, thanks to generations of warbird pilots, maintainers, restoration specialists and collectors. In our September, 2022 issue we introduced you to the young warbird pilots, maintainers and restorers who are already beginning to displace more "experienced" warbird fliers and fixers.
The Corsair Maker- Bringing the Vought Corsair to the fleet was a daunting challenge that spanned nearly three years.
When the first production Corsairs exited the Stratford factory in June 1942, Guyton, as seen here, was tapped to manage the flight and production test program. Armament was improved to six wing-mounted .50s, displacing the wing fuel tanks now placed forward of the cockpit which necessarily was moved rearward by 32 inches. Overall length was increased, armor plate added, landing, arresting and tail gear improved, aileron control enhanced, and a new version of the R2800 engine was incorporated. But those significant improvements unearthed numerous idiosyncrasies that would take an extended period to make the Corsair acceptable for carrier operations
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Training Mission
BY THE TIME THIS TRAINING SCENE WAS RECORDED in Canne, Italy, in July 1944, Allied Yugoslavian airmen had several years of experience working side by side with the RAF.
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Next generation aerial refueler
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IT HAD TO BE THE MOST HELPLESS FEELING in the world: you're at 25,000 feet over Europe knowing that your primary function is to drop bombs-or flying escort for the bombers while being a slow-moving target for some of the world's finest shooters. However, you have John Browning's marvelous .50 caliber invention to give some degree of protection. Unfortunately, you're absolutely helpless against flak. Piloting and gunnery skills play no role in a game where sheer chance makes life and death decisions. For that reason, the Krupp 88 mm Flak 18/36/37 AA cannon could be considered WW II's ultimate stealth fighter. You never saw it coming.
ZERO MYTH, MYSTERY, AND FACT
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