Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21F/F-13 "Fishbed-C" - The Sleek & First Production Fishbed With 30mm Cannons

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

Tier 6 jets announced! And supersonic ones too! It's time to suggest a modification of the famed MiG-21, the MiG-21F/F-13! 

 

I decided to use info from Wikipedia in the history section, as I couldn't find any website that exclusively talks about the F and F-13 modifications of the MiG-21. But all the pictures are of the MiG-21F and F-13 (note that they barely differ from each other).

 

The first production Fishbed with information going full swing!

 

 

Quick overview:

 

 

Spoiler

 

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21F and MiG-21F-13 are supersonic second-generation air superiority daylight jet fighters designed and developed by Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau to upgrade the MiG-19 into a more advanced fighter. The MiG-21F and the MiG-21F-13 started out as pre-production fighters designated "Ye-6", and both of them were powered by a Tumansky R-11F-300 afterburning turbojet that produced a thrust of 5740 kgf of thrust. The "F" refers to "Forsirovannyy", which is Russian for "uprated" and "-13" refers to the K-13 missile system; the first generation missiles that the MiG-21F-13 carried. The MiG-21F had 2 30mm cannnons and unguided rockets, while the MiG-21F-13 had 1 30mm cannon and 2 K-13 missiles.

 

 

 

 

History, design and development (MiG-21 general history):

 

 

 

Spoiler

 

The MiG-21 jet fighter was a continuation of Soviet jet fighters, starting with the subsonic MiG-15 and MiG-17, and the supersonic MiG-19. A number of experimental Mach 2 Soviet designs were based on nose intakes with either swept-back wings, such as the Sukhoi Su-7, or tailed deltas, of which the MiG-21 would be the most successful.

Development of what would become the MiG-21 began in the early 1950s, when Mikoyan OKB finished a preliminary design study for a prototype designated Ye-1 in 1954. This project was very quickly reworked when it was determined that the planned engine was underpowered; the redesign led to the second prototype, the Ye-2. Both these and other early prototypes featured swept wings. The first prototype with delta wings as found on production variants was the Ye-4. It made its maiden flight on 16 June 1955 and its first public appearance during the Soviet Aviation Day display at Moscow's Tushino airfield in July 1956.

In the West, due to the lack of available information, early details of the MiG-21 often were confused with those of similar Soviet fighters of the era. In one instance, Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1960–1961 listed the "Fishbed" as a Sukhoi design and used an illustration of the Su-9 'Fishpot'.

 

 

The MiG-21 was the first successful Soviet aircraft combining fighter and interceptor characteristics in a single aircraft. It was a lightweight fighter, achieving Mach 2 with a relatively low-powered afterburning turbojet, and is thus comparable to the American Lockheed F-104 Starfighter and Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter and the French Dassault Mirage III. Its basic layout was used for numerous other Soviet designs; delta-winged aircraft included the Su-9 interceptor and the fast E-150 prototype from MiG bureau while the mass-produced successful front fighter Su-7 and Mikoyan's I-75 experimental interceptor combined a similar fuselage shape with swept-back wings. However, the characteristic layout with the shock cone and front air intake did not see widespread use outside the USSR and finally proved to have limited development potential, mainly because of the very small space available for the radar.

Like many aircraft designed as interceptors, the MiG-21 had a short range. This was exacerbated by the poor placement of the internal fuel tanks ahead of the centre of gravity. As the internal fuel was consumed, the center of gravity would shift rearward beyond acceptable parameters. This had the effect of making the plane statically unstable to the point of being difficult to control, resulting in an endurance of only 45 minutes in clean condition. This can be somewhat countered by carrying fuel in external tanks closer to the center of gravity. The Chinese variants somewhat improved the internal fuel tank layout (also second generation of Soviet variants), and also carry significantly larger external fuel tanks to counter this issue. Additionally, when more than half the fuel was used up, violent maneuvers prevented fuel from flowing into the engine (questionable), thereby causing it to shut down in flight. This increased the risk of tank implosions (MiG-21 had tanks pressurized with air from the engine's compressor), a problem inherited from the MiG-15, MiG-17 and MiG-19. The short endurance and low fuel capacity of the MiG-21F, PF, PFM, S/SM and M/MF variants—though each had a somewhat greater fuel capacity than its predecessor—led to the development of the MT and SMT variants. These had an increased range of 250 km (155 mi) compared to the MiG-21SM, but at the cost of worsening all other performance figures, such as a lower service ceiling and slower time to altitude.

 

 

 

 

Cockpit:

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

 

Camouflage:

 

(MiG-21F)

 

(MiG-21F-13)

 

 

Specifications

 

 

Spoiler

 

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21F/F-13 "Fishbed-C"

 

General Characteristics

 

Introduced: 1959 (MiG-21F), 1960 (MiG-21F-13)

Status: Production aircraft

Role: Fighter

Number built: 83 (MiG-21F), 150+ (MiG-21F-13)

Crew: 1

Length: 15.76 m (51.7 ft)

Wingspan: 7.15 m (23.45 ft)

Wing area: 22.95 m² (247 ft²)

Height: 4.10 m (13.45 ft)

Empty weight: 4,980 kg (10,979 lbs)

Loaded weight: 7,100 kg (15,653 lbs)

Max. takeoff weight: 8,625 kg (19,014 lbs)

Powerplant: 1 x Tumansky R-11F-300 afterburning turbojet

• without afterburner: 5,740 kgf of thrust (56.29 kN, 12,654 lbf) 
• with afterburner: 8,378 kgf of thrust (82.16 kN, 18,470 lbf)

Fuel capacity: 502 Imp gal / 602 US gal (later 543 Imp gal / 653 US gal) (drop tanks: 1x 108 Imp gal / 129 US gal)

 

 

Performance

 

Maximum speed:

• without afterburner: 1,100 km/h (683.5 mph, 594 knots) at sea level, 2,095 km/h (1,301.7 mph, 1,131 knots) at 12,500 m (40,101 ft)
• with afterburner: 1,260 km/h (783 mph, 680 kts) at sea level, 2,125 km/h (1,320 mph, 1,147 knots) at 12,500 m (40,101 ft)

Maximum Mach number: 2.05M

Never-exceed speed (IAS): 1,260 km/h (783 mph, 680 kts)

Stall speed: 350 km/h (217.5 mph, 189 knots)

Rate of climb:

• without afterburner: 130 m/s (426.5 ft/s)
• with afterburner: 203 m/s (666 ft/s)

Service ceiling: 19,000 m (62,336 ft)

Range: 

• without ext. fuel tanks: 1,400 km (870 mi, 756 nmi)
• with ext. fuel tanks: 1,580 km (981.7 mi, 853 nmi)

Endurance:

• without ext. fuel tanks: 1h37m
• with ext. fuel tanks: 1h56m

Takeoff distance: 795 m (2,608 ft)

Landing distance: 1,250 m (4,101 ft)

Wing loading: 

• Empty weight: 216.993464 kg/m² (44.44 lb/ft²)
• Loaded weight: 309.368192 kg/m² (63.36 lb/ft²)
• Max. takeoff weight: 375.816993 kg/m² (76.97 lb/ft²)

Thrust/weight (without afterburner):

• Empty weight: 0.86
• Loaded weight: 0.80
• Max. takeoff weight: 0.66

Thrust/weight (with afterburner):

• Empty weight: 0.97
• Loaded weight: 0.93
• Max. takeoff weight: N/A

 

Armament

 

Guns:

 

• MiG-21F: 2 x 30mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30 autocannons (60 rpg, 120 rds total)
• MiG-21F-13: 1 x 30mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-30 autocannon (60 rds total)

Bombs: 

 

• 2 x FAB-100 (2 x 100 kg/2 x 220 lbs)

or

• 2 x FAB-250 (2 x 250 kg/2 x 500 lbs)

or

• 2 x FAB-500 (2 x 500 kg/2 x 1,000 lbs)

Rockets:

 

• 32 x S-5K unguided rockets in two rocket pods (16 rockets per rocket pod)

or

• 2 x S-24 unguided rockets

Missiles: 2 x R-3S infrared-homing/heat-seeking air-to-air missiles (MiG-21F-13 only)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources/References: 

 

 

Spoiler

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-21

https://en.valka.cz/topic/view/44076/Mikojan-Gurevic-MiG-21F-13-kod-NATO-Fishbed-C

OKB MiG a history af the design bureau and its aircraft, pp.85, 166-173

Николай Якубович. Истребитель МиГ-21. Рождение легенды
Крылья России. История и самолеты ОКБ "МиГ"
Крылья Родины. Ефим Гордон. Рождение долгожителя
Ефим Гордон, Владимир Климов. МиГ-21
Крылья Родины. Э.Эгенбург. Сверхзвуковой реактивный "МиГ"
История конструкций самолетов в СССР 1951-1965гг. 
Famous Russian Aircraft. Yefim Gordon, Dmitry Kommisarov, Keith Dexter. Mikoyan MiG-21
Squadron/Signal. Aircraft Number 131. Don Linn, Don Spering. MiG-21 Fishbed in Action
4+. J.Matoulek, M. Ovcacik, I. Pavlovsky, K.Susa. MiG-21F/U
PKL. MiG-21

 

 

Edited July 11, 2019 by EpicBlitzkrieg87

[CokeSpray 7,274]

Open for discussion.

[Trotrodor 2,670]

+1

[TyphoonCro 6,833]

Important thing to note,

Initial production variant MiG-21F was guns only, it was MiG-21F-13 that was able to carry two K-13 (AA-2 Atoll) missiles

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

7 minutes ago, TyphoonCro said:

Important thing to note,

Initial production variant MiG-21F was guns only, it was MiG-21F-13 that was able to carry two K-13 (AA-2 Atoll) missiles

 

Both could carry unguided rockets and bombs too. I noted that twice already in the OP. 

[Apost0 40]

+1

[Manaherz 622]

Would be nice
 

+1

[LuftMaus 6,185]

if we have 19, why not to have 21..

[ivica70 910]

I want this thing! 

[Koty1996 457]

Just a note, Su-7 mentioned in the OP was not a front-line fighter.

Su-7 was a Mach 2 interceptor (meaning air-defense, not front-line aviation), later redesigned to be a fighter-bomber, not a fighter.

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

42 minutes ago, Koty1996 said:

Just a note, Su-7 mentioned in the OP was not a front-line fighter.

Su-7 was a Mach 2 interceptor (meaning air-defense, not front-line aviation), later redesigned to be a fighter-bomber, not a fighter.

 

Wait, where did I say it was a front line fighter?

[Mivux 348]

I'd argue this is the most iconic jet ever (even more than the me262), so to not put it in game would be a crime - massive YES from me

Edited December 8, 2018 by Mivux

[BucketOfKnobs 81]

I of course want the MiG-21 in game but is it really necessary to suggest it? I am more than 100% sure the devs know about the plane. I know its a specific model but its a bit early to be suggesting this kinda stuff

[VWGolf4_20v_AGU 132]

+1

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

8 hours ago, BucketOfKnobs said:

I of course want the MiG-21 in game but is it really necessary to suggest it? I am more than 100% sure the devs know about the plane. I know its a specific model but its a bit early to be suggesting this kinda stuff

 

It could possibly help them with information if they find something interesting in this suggestion and why not be the guy to suggest it first? :] 

[BucketOfKnobs 81]

3 minutes ago, EpicBlitzkrieg87 said:

 

It could possibly help them with information if they find something interesting in this suggestion and why not be the guy to suggest it first? :] 

Fair point, I was just a bit surprised to see it this soon, they usually only let suggestions open for new things after they had come out first

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

5 hours ago, BucketOfKnobs said:

Fair point, I was just a bit surprised to see it this soon, they usually only let suggestions open for new things after they had come out first

 

That's true 

[Koty1996 457]

On 07/12/2018 at 23:41, EpicBlitzkrieg87 said:

 

Wait, where did I say it was a front line fighter?

in the history bit

[Borotovas 4,500]

I support this vehicle, but it should also be in the German tree, for East Germany.

 

[RanchSauce39 397]

MIg21F13 straight away

 

No point having  missiiless  mig21  when even the Mig19 comes R3C.

Edited December 15, 2018 by RanchSauce39

[Warlock_Leader 292]

Not quite understanding the push for the jets with the least armament. Some varients of the Mig-19 feature 4 harspoints, yet we got the one with only 2. Let's not repeat this with the Mig-21. We have a ways to go for aircraft to catch up to 1978, so we could always get different varients of these jets in the future.

 

Also, fun fact. The Mig-21 was cheaper than a BMP.

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

17 hours ago, RanchSauce39 said:

MIg21F13 straight away

 

No point having  missiiless  mig21  when even the Mig19 comes R3C.

 

The missiles are pretty bad so you should reconsider this. Which do you want, one 30mm cannon with 60 rounds and missiles that will most likely not hit their target or two 30mms and no missiles?

 

Guns are more reliable here. 

[RanchSauce39 397]

4 hours ago, EpicBlitzkrieg87 said:

 

The missiles are pretty bad so you should reconsider this.

 

yes and early phantoms F4B/C/D  don't have a gun at all. At best they get a gunpod as a upgrade.

 

 

Quote

Which do you want, one 30mm cannon with 60 rounds and missiles that will most likely not hit their target or two 30mms and no missiles?

 

Guns are more reliable here. 

 

the Mig21F13 already has an integrated gun. Its not a gunless fighter. and x2 30mm were only fitted on some.

 

From a historical perspective Mig21F13 is far more relevant. as its a mass production fighter.

 

OF course the other option is to skip the Mig21F13 entirely and just go to the Mig21PFM. Mig19P already has a radar too, so when gajin implements radars, It too will have another advantage over a Mig21F and F13.

 

the Mig21PFM will have both better radar than a mig19PT, and more ammuntion that either Mig21F or F13.

 

Essentially mig21F and to lesser extent Mig21F13, are side grades to the Mig19PT. its not an all around better plane. Only in performance.

 

 

 

Edited December 16, 2018 by RanchSauce39

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

On 16/12/2018 at 04:26, RanchSauce39 said:

the Mig21F13 already has an integrated gun. Its not a gunless fighter. and x2 30mm were only fitted on some.

 

 

It's only one with 60 rounds.

 

On 16/12/2018 at 04:26, RanchSauce39 said:

From a historical perspective Mig21F13 is far more relevant. as its a mass production fighter.

 

 

The MiG-21F had 83 produced. It's also relevant. Just because another variant was more produced does not mean the F shouldn't come. 

[Warlock_Leader 292]

10 hours ago, EpicBlitzkrieg87 said:

 

The MiG-21F had 83 produced. It's also relevant. Just because another variant was more produced does not mean the F shouldn't come. 

Out of respect for his stance i would agree that at some point they could add the "F" variant. In fact, i wouldn't mind it at the same time in the same binder configuration as some aircraft variants. This is so as not to create too much of a grind fest in the Rank VI progression. There's a large amount of aircraft to go through once they get things rolling.