The Effective, Long-Lasting MiG-21

Ride along on a 'Microsoft Flight Simulator' journey through history in Russia's iconic supersonic jet fighter.

Patrick Chovanec

Friday, June 09, 2023 at 12:08 PM ET

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[Image courtesy Patrick Chovanec]

Key Takeaways:

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 was a Cold War icon and the most-produced supersonic jet fighter in history, with over 11,000 units (plus Chinese variants) built and widely exported to over 60 nations.
Known for its distinctive delta wing and nose intake, the MiG-21 was designed for speed and agility, relying on its powerful engine, 23mm cannon, and short-range missiles for combat, though it had operational quirks like a challenging cockpit and limited range.
It achieved significant combat success, famously challenging more advanced U.S. aircraft (like the F-4 Phantom in Vietnam, which influenced the creation of TOPGUN), and earned the nickname "AK-47 of airplanes" for its effectiveness, simplicity, and low maintenance, contributing to its long operational history which continues in some air forces today.

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For this session in Microsoft Flight Simulator, I’ll be flying the Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, a Cold War icon that was produced in larger numbers than any other supersonic jet fighter in the world.

The MiG-21 was produced by the Soviet state design bureau led by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. Founded in 1939, the bureau achieved modest success during World War II, but broke through as a leading designer of jet fighters with the swept-wing MiG-15, which contended with U.S. aircraft for control of the skies during the Korean War.