Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PFM "Fishbed"

Mikoyan-Gurevich · Soviet Union · first flew 1964 · fighter

The MiG-21PFM refined the all-weather Fishbed with a wider fin, side-opening canopy, and the option to carry a centreline gun pod.

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:

Canopy hinges to the right side (starboard) rather than rearward — visible as a different hinge arrangement at the cockpit rail
Broader-chord vertical fin with a more squared tip than the earlier PF
Spine remains moderate — higher than F-13 but distinctly lower and narrower than the later MiG-21bis fat spine

Looks very similar to the PF but the side-hinging canopy is diagnostic when the aircraft is on the ground; the wider fin tip is visible in profile. Compared to the MiG-21bis, the moderate spine height and slimmer fuselage are the key separators.

Specifications

The MiG-21PFM 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

Entering production in 1964, the PFM served extensively with the Soviet Air Forces and was exported to Egypt, Syria, Iraq, North Vietnam, India, and numerous Warsaw Pact states. It saw combat in the 1967 and 1973 Middle East wars and over Vietnam.

Variants

The PFM spawned the S (SPSM) variant with blown flaps; export derivatives were designated differently by recipient nations including the Indian Type 77.

Where you'll see it

Still represented in museum collections across Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; a handful remain airworthy. Several were captured and evaluated by Western nations.

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