MiG-21F-13

MiG-21F-13

MiG-19PT

MiG-21SMT

MiG-21F-13

MiG-19PT

MiG-21SMT

USSR

VI Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
8.7	9.3	9.7

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Research:110 000

Purchase:620 000

Show in game

This page is about the Russian jet fighter MiG-21F-13. For the Chinese license-built version, see J-7II.

Description

The MiG-21F-13 is a rank VI Russian jet fighter with a battle rating of 8.7 (AB), 9.3 (RB), and 9.7 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.91 "Night Vision".

After the Korean War, several nations came out with various aircraft which would out-fly opposing aircraft, especially in a dogfight. The U.S. introduced the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter and Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter while European nations France, England and Sweden rolled out the Dassault Mirage F-1, Mirage III, English Electric Lightning, Hawker Hunter and the Saab Draken. At this time the Soviet Union was working on further developing the twin-engine MiG-19 but realized what it actually needed was a fast, single-engine light-weight fighter in what ultimately became the most highly produced supersonic fighter in the world and used by over 60 countries. This fighter was the Ye-66a (‘‘Ye’’ stands for “Yedinitsa” or single-unit), later changed to MiG-21 F-13 or as dubbed by NATO, the Fishbed-C. The F-13 designation identifies that this is an updated (Forsirovannyy) version which can equip the K-13 missile system capable of using the R-3S air-to-air missiles.

The sleek and aerodynamic MiG-21F-13.

The MiG-21F-13 was built to be a point defence interceptor not an air-defence fighter slated for combat missions, basically a short-range day fighter. Essentially it was a missile which houses a pilot, one 30 mm cannon and two R-3S air-to-air missiles. The sleek airframe was made with aluminium alloys, steel, magnesium and fibreglass. The air-intake cone automatically adjusts during the flight to help the aircraft remain aerodynamic. The fighter sported a delta wing with a 57° leading edge and even the all-moving tailplane utilizes the swept feature. Everything about this jet focus on speed which lends it reaching out to the Mach 2 range. The strength of the aircraft is its speed in a straight line whether in a climb, level flight or a dive, however, when it turns at all, it haemorrhages its energy and when it gets below 700 kph, it is difficult to get back up to speed without diving to make up that speed. When caught near the ground and going slow will be extremely frustrating for a MiG-21 pilot.

The MiG-21F-13 as-built shaped like a missile excels in air-to-air combat, but beware of turning or manoeuvres, though they will slow you enough to get behind an enemy fighter, it may also slow you enough for another enemy fighter to get a missile lock or gun solution on you. Always be aware of your surroundings. Though this fighter can be outfitted with rockets or bombs (250 and 500 kg), these options should be reserved for special situations as the attacker/bomber function was never designed as a multi-role function as it was with the F-4C. The R-3S missiles can be a challenge to get used to, so newer pilots may elect to outfit the S-5K rockets and use them to go after bombers. With only 60 rounds of 30 mm cannon ammunition, trigger control is a must or else you will be waiting often for a reload timer to count down or will be frequently returning to base to reload.

General info

Flight performance

Looking at the business end of a MiG-21F-13.

Due to the MiG-21F-13 being an interceptor fighter, its main purpose is to interdict enemy aircraft. For this purpose, a jet fighter should meet certain criteria such as being light-weight, fast, aerodynamic and cheap to build and maintain. The MiG-21F-13 fits all of these criteria to a tee. Sitting at a take-off weight of 9.5 tons and power output from the R-11F-300 jet engine of 3178.2 kgf, the MiG was a rocket compared to other contemporary fighter/interceptor aircraft. The closest comparable aircraft in-game are the Hunter F 1, Hunter F.6 and the Super Mystere B2. Pound for pound and thrust for thrust, the Hunter F 1 is the closest with a take-off weight of 9.5 tons and power output from a Rolls-Royce Avon Mk. 113 engine with 3188.1 kgf, however, the final thrust output was no contest with the MiG-21F-13 able to fly 1,000 kph faster than the Hunter at top speed.

Manoeuvrability in the MiG, for the most part, is non-existent. Due to the shape of the wings and the aerodynamics of the entire aircraft, it is built mostly for high-speed low-drag in a straight flight and that becomes apparent when it enters into a manoeuvre or a turn where it begins to bleed speed at a horrendous rate. With no adjustment to the throttle, a MiG-21F-13 can drop from 1,000 kph to 600 - 700 kph just by making a turn or manoeuvring from flying in a straight line. MiG pilots must take into account when they attempt evasive manoeuvres after a missile is fired at them as doing so they may avoid the missile, but they may also end up flying under 700 kph which is a bad place to be and can be difficult to return from if there is no room to dive to build up speed. The best bet to use the MiG-21F-13 is up at higher altitudes where the jet flies faster and has room to dive if the speed needs to be built up after turning or manoeuvring.

While the MiG-21F-13 can be outfitted with 250 kg or 500 kg bombs, adding the extra weight impacts this fighter even more. With the bombs placed on under-wing pylons, it decreases the roll-rate of the aircraft having that weight away from the centre of the aircraft (or in comparison to a clean aircraft – without bombs). Bombs are an option for the aircraft, however, due to needing to maintain speeds above 700 kph using the MiG as a bomber is less effective and can expose this aircraft to other fighters which prey on low and slow aircraft.

The MiG-21F-13 in an agressive power-climb ready to intercept.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 13,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
???	???	16000	??.?	??.?	??.?	??.?	750
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 13,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
???	???	16000	??.?	??.?	??.?	??.?	750

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	✓	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flaps (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
		550	~11	~5

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 650	< 600	< 780	N/A

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
0 m	3,350 kgf	5,025 kgf

Survivability and armour

Armour

• 16 mm Steel – behind the pilot's seat
• 25 mm Steel – pilot’s headrest
• 65 mm Bulletproof glass – forward canopy windscreen

With the MiG-21F-13 configured for and operated as an interceptor, not much thought was put into protecting the aircraft as it was relatively cheap and easy to build and maintain. However, protections were put in place for the pilot which on the other hand was a valuable asset. Protective steel behind the seat and pilot’s headrest along with the 65 mm bulletproof glass helped protect the pilot from defensive fire coming from bomber turrets or from smaller calibre guns found on many Western fighters of the time.

The MiG-21F-13’s role as an interceptor basically had it scramble from the airfield when enemy fighters/bombers entered the area and it went full afterburner to reach attack altitude where it would make several passes, down the aircraft and return to the airfield. Due to its speed and limited weapon load-out, further protections for the aircraft’s critical component were not necessary and thus left off the aircraft to allow for its light-weight and quick intercept capability.

Armaments

Offensive armament

This MiG-21F-13 has the following offensive weapons:

• 1 x 30 mm NR-30 cannon (60 RPG)

The MiG-21F-13 has been outfitted with a single 30 mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30 cannon. This gun is the perfect weapon for an interceptor class aircraft as it is large enough calibre to do some serious damage, however, this cannon only houses 60 rounds of ammunition. While the small ammunition pool appears to be a negative point to the aircraft, minimizing weight is necessary to ensure this aircraft can intercept inbound enemy aircraft. Trigger control is a necessary skill the pilot must use to ensure enough rounds available to make the necessary shots before returning to base to reload.

Suspended armament

The MiG-21F-13 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• 32 x S-5K rockets
• 2 x S-24 rockets
• 2 x R-3S air-to-air missiles
• 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs (total 500 kg)
• 2 x 500 kg FAB-500M-54 bombs (total 1,000 kg)

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Compressor		Offensive 30 mm		S5K
II	New boosters		Airframe		FAB-250	C-24
III	Wings repair			New 30 mm cannons		R-3S
IV	G-suit	Engine	Cover		FAB-500

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Great rate of climb and top speed
• Has access to air-to-air missiles
• Hard-hitting 30 mm cannon
• Decent manoeuvrability at high speeds
• Fairly small target

Cons:

• Low-speed manoeuvrability is not very good
• Only one gun with 60 rounds of ammunition - must use short bursts
• Quirky rudder characteristics
• Missiles have a short lock-on range
• Can exceed wing rip speed (1,300 kph) in level flight
• As an interceptor, mediocre when used against ground targets
• Missiles can be inaccurate and insufficient guns to do much damage

History

The MiG-21 series of planes would become the most widely-used family of fighter jets in the world, with over 4,000 produced, including license-built copies in China, India and Czechoslovakia. The roots of this highly successful combat aircraft started in the mid-1950s, with the Soviet desire to create a Mach-2 capable light fighter. The first MiG-21F prototypes were presented at the Tushino air show in June 1956, and deliveries started in 1958. The model, "Fishbed C" in NATO parlance, was widely exported. In the Soviet Union, it was replaced by the MiG-21PF model after 1961.

Devblog

Development of the MiG-21 dates back to the early 1950s, when the Mikoyan design bureau was conducting development work on a design study for a new swept-wing jet aircraft. Further work on the project led to the creation of a seperate, delta wing prototype, designated ‘Ye-4’. With test flights showing promising results, but also much room for improvement, work on the Ye-4 resumed. Further tweaks and modifications to the design eventually lead to the Ye-5 prototype, which conducted its maiden flight in January 1956.

During testing, the Ye-5 received its new designation ‘MiG-21’ and was officially ordered into production. However, production of this initial batch of MiG-21s was rather short, with only a handful of machines being built. In the meantime, an improved version of the aircraft - the Ye-6 - was being worked on. By May 1958, testing of the Ye-6 was deemed to be completed. Shortly afterwards, in July, the Ye-6 was ordered into mass production under the designation MiG-21F and was to replace the initial MiG-21 as the standard production model. The aircraft weaponry consists of two 30 mm automatic cannons. The next step was to equip the aircraft with guided “air-to-air” missiles but in to do this one of the cannons had to be removed.

From there on, the MiG-21 would go on to be produced in enormous numbers and in various different variants, both for the needs of the Soviet Union, as well as for export. Around 60 countries have or still use the MiG-21 in various capacities and modifications today.

Well over 11,000 MiG-21s have been produced, including licence-built versions (more than 2,400 models were built in China under the J-7 designation), since the start of production in 1959, with the legendary ‘Fishbed’ becoming the most mass produced combat aircraft since the Korean War and taking part in more armed conflicts than a single devblog would ever be able to cover. But as an example we can mention its participation in the Vietnam War where the MiG-21 was able to push back against the latest U.S. aircraft (which were in majority).

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See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• [Development] MiG-21F-13: The Silver Swallow