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 the most widely produced supersonic jet fighter in history, serving as the Soviet Union's agile and powerful response to advanced Western aircraft during the Cold War.
Characterized by its simple yet effective "engine with a cockpit" design, the MiG-21 was highly effective in combat, utilizing its speed and maneuverability to achieve notable successes against more technologically advanced adversaries like the U.S. F-4 Phantom.
Its combat effectiveness, particularly in the Vietnam War, prompted significant tactical re-evaluation by opposing forces, including the establishment of the U.S. Navy's TOPGUN school.
The MiG-21's low cost, ruggedness, and ease of maintenance led to its widespread adoption by over 60 countries, with many variants, including Chinese knock-offs and modernized Indian "Bison" models, remaining in service for an exceptionally long period, with some still operational 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.