Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21 PFM (NATO Code Name Fishbed F)

Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21 PFM (NATO Code Name Fishbed F). . , The single-seat MiG-21 entered service in 1959. It was the Soviet Union's first Mach 2 fighter. Powered by a Tumansky turbojet, this small delta-wing fighter was built in greater numbers than any other fighter aircraft since the Korean War (1950-1953). Approximately 13,000 were constructed by the Soviet Union and licensed by other countries. The MiG-21 has flown in 56 air forces, more than any other fighter, and has been involved in more conflicts than any other aircraft in history., During the Vietnam War (1955-1975), the North Vienamese Air Force was first supplied with the modern MiG-21 by the Soviet Union in April 1966, U.S. forces felt the impact immediately, as losses soon increased. The MiG-21 lacked long-range radar but proved to be a dangerous adversary when flown by experienced pilots. Using a ground-based control system, the North Vietnamese employed high-speed hit-and-run attacks against formations of U.S. bombers. The MiG-21 intercepted strike groups and was effective in downing U.S. aircraft or forcing them to jettison their bomb loads before reaching the target., The MiG-21 threat exposed shortcomings in the training of U.S. pilots. As a direct response, the U.S. Navy created the Navy Fighter Weapons School, known as Top Gun, in March 1969. The objective of the school was to teach aerial dogfighting techniques and tactics and return the advantage to U.S. pilots., This MiG-21 PFM fighter flew with the Polish Air Force's Tenth Fighter Interceptor Regiment, which was charged with the defense of Warsaw. This aircraft is similar to those used by North Vietnam. It is painted to represent a MiG-21 of the 921st Fighter Regiment of the North Vietnamese Air Force.,

Length: 51 feet 8 inches (15.7 m) , Wingspan: 23 feet 5 inches (7.1 m) , Height: 13 feet 5 inches (4.1 m) , Empty Weight: 11,800 pounds (5,352 kg) , Max Weight: 20,723 pounds (9,399 kg) , Top Speed: 1,385 miles per hour (2,228 kph) , Ceiling: 50,030 feet (15,249 m) , Crew: One , Armament: One centerline single- or twin-barrel 23mm cannon. Up to 4,400 pounds (1,995 kg) of air-to-air missiles and rockets on the fueselage centerline or four underwing hardpoints

, [Captions:] , MiG-21s are lined up at an air base in North Vietnam. The aircraft in the foreground bears victory markings, representing air-to-air kills., From this angle, the distinctive delta-shaped wing of the MiG-21 is easy to see. This captured aircraft bears U.S. markings and was tested by a special U.S. Air Force evaluation squadron.