MiG-21MF (Germany)

◊MiG-21MF

◊MiG-19S

◊MiG-21bis-SAU

◊MiG-21MF

◊MiG-19S

◊MiG-21bis-SAU

Germany

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
10.3	10.7	10.7

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Research:260 000

Purchase:710 000

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Description

The ◊MiG-21MF is a rank VII German jet fighter with a battle rating of 10.3 (AB) and 10.7 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.95 "Northern Wind".

General info

Flight performance

The ◊MiG-21MF has good acceleration and, in terms of maneuverability, is second only to the J35 Draken. Keep in mind, however, that constant maneuvering will cause it to bleed a lot of speed. Its wings will not rip off from maneuvers. The acceleration is good at speeds under Mach, and once it hits Mach 1, the MiG-21MF can out accelerate everything except for the MiG-21SMT and the British Phantoms. It is also very easy to overspeed and rip in a dive so players should keep an eye on their speed.

Characteristics	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
Stock	2,196	2,178	16000	34.0	35.1	139.6	131.0	750
Upgraded	2295	2,240		32.3	33.0	192.8	165.0

Details

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

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
1365	700	550	550	450	~11	~6

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

Engine performance

Engine			Aircraft mass
Engine name		Number	Empty mass		Wing loading (full fuel)
Tumansky R-13-300		1	5,860 kg		355 kg/m2
Engine characteristics			Mass with fuel (no weapons load)			Max Takeoff Weight
Weight (each)	Type		8m fuel	20m fuel	29m fuel
1,135 kg	Afterburning axial-flow turbojet		6,505 kg	7,455 kg	8,168 kg	9,900 kg
Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB / SB)			Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
Condition	100%	WEP	8m fuel	20m fuel	29m fuel	MTOW
Stationary	3,825 kgf	6,483 kgf	1.00	0.87	0.79	0.65
Optimal	3,825 kgf (0 kph)	6,977 kgf (1,200 kph)	1.07	0.94	0.85	0.70

Survivability and armour

The MiG-21MF lacks armor plating. There is none around the nose of the aircraft, making head-ons a death sentence. (Though at top rank, they're a bad idea with the 23 mm guns the plane has). The plane also has poor survivability like most jets at 10.3. Two fuel tanks in each wing allows even a stray cannon round to set you ablaze, though the main body of the plane is occasionally able to take a round or two. The wings are susceptible to being sheered off by incoming rounds. In short; getting hit is not something you want to do when playing the MiG-21MF.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The MiG-21MF (Germany) is armed with:

• 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (200 rpg)

Suspended armament

The MiG-21MF (Germany) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 64 x S-5K rockets
• 96 x S-5K rockets
• 4 x S-24 rockets
• 4 x R-3S missiles
• 4 x R-60 missiles
• 64 x S-5K rockets + 2 x R-3S missiles
• 64 x S-5K rockets + 2 x R-60 missiles
• 2 x S-24 rockets + 2 x R-3S missiles
• 2 x S-24 rockets + 2 x R-60 missiles
• 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs (1,000 kg total)
• 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs + 2 x R-3S missiles (500 kg total)
• 2 x 250 kg OFAB-250-270 bombs + 2 x R-60 missiles (500 kg total)

Usage in battles

Combining an ability to pull high angle-of-attack turns on demand, excellent acceleration, high top speed, and powerful dog-fighting weaponry, the MiG-21MF is a potent air superiority fighter. Good maneuverability allows the pilot to easily establish a tailing flight path on most enemies, and from there, it is very hard for the enemy to shake the MiG-21MF off of their tail. The MiG, for its part, can then utilize its powerful R-60 missiles or 23 mm cannons to destroy the enemy with ease.

Note that when using the Mig-21MF's air-to-air missiles, it is best to fire them at around 1-2 km of range. Any less than that, and the missile might not have enough time to manoeuvre and successfully track the enemy. At ranges above 2 km, the missile may not be able to catch a fast-moving target. As for the 23 mm offensive cannons, be careful to practice trigger discipline. A high rate of fire and a low ammo count means that it is only possible to fire the cannons for a few seconds before they need to be reloaded at the airfield.

As a dogfighter, the MiG-21MF excels due to its powerful weaponry, great acceleration, and a good turn rate. It can easily turn with F-4 Phantoms, although the J35D and Mirage IIIC both turn better. Against these two planes, it is best to avoid extended turn fights. Instead, gradually bleed their speed - they both have poor maneuvering energy retention. At high altitudes, this plane is not as responsive, due to its high wing load and the low air pressure. This makes it much harder to dodge incoming missiles, so it is especially important to keep a high speed when at high altitude.

The MiG-21MF can also easily engage ground targets. Its cannons can destroy lightly armoured vehicles, and its 4 x S-24 rockets are extremely capable at dealing with even the most advanced MBTs. What's more, this plane has access to a ballistic computer which calculates the impact point of cannon shells, rockets, and bombs, making aiming against ground targets a breeze.

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Compressor		Offensive 23 mm	FAB-250
II	New boosters		Airframe		UB-16	R-3S
III	Wings repair			New 23 mm cannons	UB-32
IV	G-suit	Engine	Cover		C-24	R-60

Pros and cons

Pros:

• R-60 missiles have very good tracking and G-tolerance
• More agile than many high-tier jets
• Cannons with a high rate of fire
• Good ground attack loadouts
• A small profile which is harder to hit

Cons:

• Low ammunition count
• Poor energy retention in extended turning engagements
• Flaps rip easily
• Poor maneuverability at low speeds

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the MiG-21MF (Germany) from live.warthunder.com.

Images

• 

Videos

Tank busters discusses the MiG-21MF (Germany) at 4:19 - War Thunder Official Channel

See also

• MiG-21SMT
• MiG-21F-13

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
• other literature.