Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (???-21 in Cyrillic script) (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It is the second most produced post-World War II military aircraft, after the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.

Related Topics:
Cyrillic - NATO reporting name - Fighter aircraft - Mikoyan - Soviet Union - World War II - Lockheed - C-130 Hercules

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The first delta-wing prototype (named Ye-4, written also E-4) flew in 14 June 1956, and the production MiG-21 entered service in early 1959.

Related Topics:
14 June - 1956 - 1959

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The MiG-21 saw frequent action in the Vietnam War and was one of the most advanced aircraft at the time. However, many North Vietnamese aces preferred flying the MiG-19, due to the poor wing loading on the MiG-21's. Employing a delta wing configuration, it was the first successful Soviet aircraft combining fighter and interceptor in a single aircraft. It was a lightweight fighter, achieving Mach 2 speed using a relatively low-powered afterburning turbojet, and is thus comparable yet superior to the American F-104 Starfighter and French Dassault Mirage III.

Related Topics:
Vietnam War - North Vietnam - Ace - MiG-19 - Wing loading - Aircraft - Fighter - Interceptor - Afterburning - Turbojet - American - F-104 Starfighter - French - Dassault Mirage III

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It was also used extensively in Middle East conflicts of the 1960s and 1970s, by the air forces of Egypt, Syria and Iraq against Israel. The plane was outclassed by the more modern F-15 Eagle (designed primarily to combat the Soviet MiG-25 (Foxbat)), which was acquired by Israel in the 1970s. The Indian Air Force has been one of the largest users of this plane after it was utilized in the 1971 war with good results. It was also used as late as 1999 in the Kargil War with mixed results.

Related Topics:
Middle East - 1960s - 1970s - Egypt - Syria - Iraq - Israel - F-15 Eagle - MiG-25 - Foxbat - Indian Air Force - 1971 war - 1999 - Kargil War

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It was used also in early stages of the wars in Afghanistan but soon outclassed by the newer MiG-23 and MiG-27.

Related Topics:
Wars in Afghanistan - MiG-23 - MiG-27

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