Izdeliye 77 or Version B

‘Version B’ of the MiG-21PF received a new designation, MiG-21FL, and a separate product code, izdeliye 77.

It should be noted that the MiG-21FL differed from the MiG-21PF (both the domestic variety and the export ‘Version A’) both structurally and as regards equipment. It was the first version to introduce the new vertical tail of 5.2 m2 area that had been verified on the MiG-21PF c/n N76210725. Additionally, the brake parachute was moved from its usual location below the engine jetpipe to the base of the rudder (see Ye-7SPS below). (more…)

Ye-7SPS development aircraft

As noted in Chapter 2, one of the Mikoyan OKB’s efforts to improve the MiG-21 was directed at enhancing the fighter’s field performance. In 1961 the Ye-6V/2 development aircraft was equipped with new blown flaps, successfully passing State acceptance trials. The flap blowing system was known as SPS (sdoov pogranichnovo sloya – boundary layer blowing or BLC). As the MiG-21 PF interceptor entered production, the third Gor’kiy-built example (c/n N76210103) was earmarked for BLC system tests, arriving at the OKB’s flight test facility in Zhukovskiy shortly after the first aircraft. (more…)

M-21 and M-21M or MiG-21Ye target drones

In the 1960s a number of aircraft types being phased out by the WS and the PVO, as well as high-time examples of then-current types, were converted into remote-controlled target drones with performance high enough to meet the demands of the day. In particular, in the mid-1960s the Mikoyan OKB teamed up with the State Special Design Bureau for Sports Aircraft, a division of the Kazan’ Aviation Institute, to convert time-expired MiG-21PFS into target drones for the benefit of fighter pilots and surface-to-air missile (SAM) crews honing their skills. (In the early 1980s GSKB SA was renamed the Sokol (Falcon) OKB and still exists as such, specialising in target drone design.) (more…)

MiG-21D/DF development aircraft

Each successive modification led to an increase in the MiG-21′s take-off weight and hence to a reduction in manoeuvrability. This led some of the Soviet Air Force’s top commanders to believe that the fire control radar was not really necessary for close-in dogfighting and, by replacing it with a simpler but lighter radar rangefinder, a more nimble dogfight version could be obtained. (more…)

Export tactical tighter (izdeliye 96T)

One of the MiG-21 family’s greatest weaknesses, especially in the eyes of the military experts from ‘friendly nations’, was its inadequate range. Having developed several versions featuring a saddle tank in the fuselage spine (which was progressively enlarged), the designers were sorely tempted to increase the capacity of this tank even further.

In February 1971 the Council of Ministers sanctioned this by issuing a directive ordering an increase in the MiG-21′s range. (more…)