MiG-21 "Fishbed"

 
Aircraft  MiG-21  
Type  fighter 
Year  1959  
Engine  Tumansky R-13-300 turbojet: 9,340 lbs of thrust 
Wingspan  7.15 m  
Length  15.76 m 
Height  4.1 m 
Weight  Empty 5,843 kg; MTOW 9,800 kg  
Max. speed  2,050 km/h or Mach 2.05 
Range  1,800 km 
Crew  1 or 2 
Ceiling  16,000 m 
Armament  one twin 23 mm GSH-23 cannon 
K-13A Atoll   
AA-2C Atoll  
The MiG-21, NATO codenamed Fishbed, has been widely used in the Soviet Air Force and exported to more than 34 nations including Iraq. Iraq also uses a Mig-21 variant manufactured in the Peoples Republic of China, where it is designated the Chengdu J-7.

The first production model, the MiG-21F entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1959 as a clear weather, day-only fighter interceptor. In essence, the MiG-21 is a no-frills, highly maneuverable air-superiority fighter that can be adapted for the ground attack role. It is powered by one Tumansky R-13-300 turbo jet and the model seen most often in non-Soviet air forces is the MiG-21 bis. This version is far more powerful than the original Mig-21, and it carries a heavier weight of armament. A refinement of this version, NATO codenamed Fishbed-N, carries improved avionics and mounts two radar-homing AA-2C Atoll and two AA-8 Aphid air-to-air missiles.

The Mig-21 was originally designed to carry two 30 mm NR-30 cannons, but the left gun had to be removed to meet weight restrictions and to improve room for avionics.

  

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