MiG-21 Fishbed

Primary Function: Fighter-interceptor
Crew: One
Powerplant: One Tumansky R-11F-300 rated at 12,675 lb (w/ afterburner)
Dimensions: Length: 51 ft, 8.5 in (15.76 m): Wingspan: 23 ft, 5.5 in (7.15 m)
Height: 13 ft, 5.5 in (4.10 m)
Weights: Empty: 12,882 lb (5843 kg): Maximum Takeoff: 21,605 lb (9800 kg)
Performance
Speed: Mach 2.05 (2175 km/h / 1,353 mph)
Ceiling: 50,000 ft (15,250 m)
Range: 600 nautical miles -- MiG-21bis
Armament:
One twin-barrel 23 mm GSh-23 cannon with two K-13A Atoll AAMs, two AA-2C Atoll or rocket packs. 500kg and 250kg bombs on ground attack missions.

    The MiG-21F is a short-range day fighter-interceptor and the first major production version of the popular MiG-21 series. It is but one of many versions of this aircraft that have served in the air arms of many nations around the world. The E-5 prototype of the MiG-21 was first flown in 1955 and made its first public appearance during the Soviet Aviation Day display at Moscow's Tushino Airport in June 1956. During the Vietnam War, MiG-21s were often used against U.S. aircraft. Between April 26, 165, and January 8, 1973, USAF F-4s and B-52s downed 68 MiG-21s. More than 30 countries of the world-including nations friendly to the U.S. -have flown the MiG-21. At least 15 versions of the MiG-21 have been produced, some outside the Soviet Union. Estimates place the number built at more than 8,000, a production total exceeding that of any other modern jet aircraft.
     The MiG-21 was designed in the months following the end of the Korean War. Like its contemporary, the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, the MiG-21 was designed with the lessons of the jet war in Korea in mind. The MiG design team hoped to create an aircraft that matched the maneuverability of the combat proven MiG-15 with Mach 2 speed and advanced air-to-air missiles. The MiG-21 prototype, the Ye-5, first flew in mid-1956 and MiG-21s first entered service with Soviet squadrons in 1958. In Vietnam, the MiG-21 provided the North Vietnamese Air Force with a modern, fast and powerful fighter which could engage American F-4 Phantom IIs and F-8 Crusaders on nearly equal terms. The distinct arrowhead shape of the MiG-21 became a feared image to American pilots over North Vietnam.
    More than 7,500 MiG-21 s (of all variants) have been produced since 1958. The MiG-21 found a welcome home in many communist and Third World countries including: Cuba, Libya, Egypt, North Korea, Syria and Vietnam. Moreover, MiG-21 s have been produced in China, Poland and India. Through the years, the basic MiG-21 airframe has been modified to fulfill a number of different roles. For example, two altered MiG-21s (nicknamed "Analogs") were fitted with a scaled down version of the Tupolev Tu-144 Mach 2 commercial airliner's airfoil instead of the standard MiG-21 fighter wing assembly. Additionally, MiG-21s were used to test a number of advanced Russian ejection seat systems.
     The first two seat MiG-21 "Mongol" (NATO's code word for the type) trainer appeared in 1963, replacing the elderly MiG-1 SUTI Midget, and has served as the standard Soviet advanced trainer for many years. Though normally flown without armament, the Mongol can carry a single 23mm cannon and two air-to-air missiles. One of the plane's most interesting features is the periscope mirror located on the back canopy. This allows the instructor to view over the forward cockpit to see where the aircraft is headed during ground operations and takeoffs and landings. The MiG-21 US Mongol B on display was built in Poland in 1970 and served with the Polish Air Force as an advanced trainer.