Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PF "Fishbed"

Mikoyan-Gurevich · Soviet Union · first flew 1960 · fighter

The MiG-21PF was the Soviet Union's first all-weather Fishbed, adding radar to the nose intake at the cost of the internal gun.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, delta
E — Engines	1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	15.76 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Noticeably larger-diameter nose intake than the F-13, accommodating the RP-21 radar behind the shock cone
No internal gun — the under-nose cannon fairing is absent, leaving a smooth belly
Wider chord vertical fin than the early F-13 but spine still relatively low and narrow

The larger intake diameter distinguishes the PF from the F-13 at a glance; the clean, gun-free belly sets it apart from the MF and bis which restored the cannon. Compare the slim spine to the fat raised spine of the MiG-21bis.

Specifications

The MiG-21PF has a length of 15.76 m (52 ft).
It has a wingspan of 7.15 m (23 ft).
Its maximum speed is 2230 km/h (1386 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Introduced in 1961, the PF entered service with Soviet air defence regiments that needed a limited all-weather intercept capability against Western bombers. It was exported widely to Warsaw Pact and non-aligned nations.

Variants

The PFM followed with a broader-chord fin, side-hinging canopy, and provision to carry a gun pod; the FL was a simplified export version.

Where you'll see it

Retired from most operator inventories by the late 1980s; examples survive in museums in Eastern Europe and Asia. Several were used in Vietnam and the Middle East in combat.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.