Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PFM izdeliye 94 "Fishbed-F" - The Decisive Early Fishbed & Fastest MiG-21

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

Hi!

 

Today I want to suggest the MiG-21PFM. This is the early MiG-21 variant that reigns supreme over all of the group of early MiG-21s. To my knowledge there are 2 groups of MiG-21 variants: the first one is second generation which starts from the MiG-21F and MiG-21F-13  and ends with the MiG-21PFM. The other group is third generation starting from the MiG-21S and onward. 

 

How does this differ from the perfectly fitting MiG-21F/F-13?

 

• Radar installment, which is going to be important when radar is introduced (there is a radar-guided missile in the CDK, so radar systems for the game are confirmed), and also changed the nose visuals a bit
• More powerful engine, though small performance boost over the MiG-21F, still very nice to have
• GSh-23L 23mm cannon in a gunpod, no internal 30mm cannons like the MiG-21F and F-13
• Beam-riding missiles
• Air-to-ground missiles

 

 

Thank you @RanchSauce39 for opening my mind on this. Now for the suggestion

 

Quick overview:

 

 

Spoiler

 

The MiG-21PFM is the modernization of the previous MiG-21PFS and the ultimate second generation MiG-21. It introduced radar, an improved engine and more offensive armament options to the early MiG-21 group. Production of this variant of the Fishbed for the Soviet Air Force lasted from 1963 to 1966, totaling 944 units.

 

 

 

 

History, design and development:

 

 

Spoiler

 

In accordance with the March 1960 government decree, the design bureau Tumanskoy and Metskhvarishvili commissioned the development of the R11F-300 engine with air bleeding from the compressor. Two years later, finishing work on the RPFS-300 engines with a load of 5,750 kgf and R-11F2S-300 with a load of 6,200 kgf was completed. In 1962, the MiG-21PF (serial No. 76210103, 76210101) investigated the boundary layer blowing system (SPS). The ATP system ensured a decrease in the landing speed of the aircraft by increasing the lift force of the wing, achieved by the effectiveness of the flap from which the boundary layer is deflated.

 

The arrangement of the brake parachute container, which was now located at the base of the keel above the tail cone of the engine nozzle, was also changed. This allowed the parachute to be released not when the ground touched the wheels, as it was at the lower location, but on leveling when the wheels approached the earth at a distance of 0.5-1 m. Using the boundary layer blowing system and the parachute-brake system of an increased area (parachute PT -5282-62 has an area of 19 m², the parachute of the lower location PT-6152-59 has an area of 16 m²) reduced the length of the run to an average of 480 m, and the landing speed to 240 km / h.

To reduce the length of the takeoff, installation at an angle of 48º to the plane of symmetry of the aircraft of two launch accelerators SPRD-99 (article 314-II) with a load of 2500 kgf each was provided. Which were suspended on special locks from the left and right side at the bottom of the fuselage. A fighter upgraded in this way was launched into a series under the designation (E-7PSS, type-94) MiG-21PFS. However, due to the shortage of 37F2S engines, the 37F2 engine was installed on parts of the production aircraft, and the ATP system was disconnected on these machines. The flaps deflected 25º. The dismantled units and parts of the ATP system were conserved and fitted into a single set of spare parts for this aircraft.

 

In the process of production of the MiG-21PFS constantly improved. So from the plane no. 940709,940724, 940725 and with 940912 the front wheel KT-102 was installed with tires of size 500Х180А and disk brake instead of wheel КТ-38 with chamber brakes. In this regard, the right cheek of the front strut fork has been reinforced, the installation of air and electrical wiring has been changed, and the electrical blocking of the brake release of the wheels has been changed in the event of “waving”. Only the "locked" wheel is released.

 

After working on the MiG-21PF No.76210725, from the machine No. 941021 to 941025, No. 941116 to 941125, No. 941211 to 941225 and No. 941301 to improve road stability, the keel of an increased area of 5.2 m² was installed and its design was slightly modified.

 

Another major innovation was the introduction of the SK-3 ejection seat (KM-1) and a flashlight with a fixed visor and the opening of the flap on the right side, which were installed from the No. 2 machine. 941221 to 941225 and from No. 941314.

 

In connection with the installation of the SK-3 (KM-1) seat, the following changes were made: new frameless cockpit panels were introduced, the KKO-3 oxygen equipment kit was replaced with the KKO-5, the PVD crane from the left console was moved to the right upper dashboard of the instrument panel, PKI sight installed on the shackle of the visor, the control panel of the product 830M is removed from the left console and installed above the right upper flap of the cabin.

 

The ejection seat of the KM-1 ensures the rescue of the pilot from zero height at speeds of 130 km / h during takeoff and mileage and 1,200 km / h in horizontal flight. The equipment of the pilot for high-altitude flights consisted of a high-altitude compensating suit VKK-6, a parachute oxygen device KP-27M, a helmet GSH-6, a protective helmet ZSh-3 with an oxygen mask KM-32 and a ventilated suit VK-3. The KKO-3 oxygen equipment (on airplanes with the SK-1 chair) includes a high-altitude compensating suit VKK-4P, VKK-3M, a hermetic helmet GSH-4MS, a parachute oxygen device KP-27M, an anti-overload suit PPK-1.

The alternator GO4P44 is installed instead of the SGO-8 generator from the machine No. 94MA24. on the lanterns, hinged to the side, there are installed locks with clamps, excluding lateral displacements of the lantern with No. 94AT01.

 

The RV-UM radio altimeter has been installed, in connection with which the station settings are changed: ARK-10, Products 2000, RSIU-5, RP-21M, Products 40, Products 023M. changed the layout of the front compartment and the layout of the devices of the middle panel. An ARK-10 radio altimeter with a range measurement system is installed. A distance meter is installed on the instrument board. The ZDV-30 unit of the Lazur station was moved from the cab to the front compartment to ensure the installation of an ISA counter in the cab from No. 94ACh01 to 94ACh03 and No. 94MS01.

The product 830M (RP-21M) was installed instead of the product 830 (RP-21), in connection with which the "aiming at the outer ring" lamp was removed from No. 941123.

For the safe separation of products 314-II (SPRD-99) from the aircraft, stops were introduced on the product 314-II and the fuselage when the aircraft was dropped. On the product 314-II, the aerodynamic plates are shifted back from No. 941601.

 

To expand the tactical and technical characteristics of the MiG-21PFS, on the basis of the order of the MAP of March 12, 1966, the refinement of the fighter began, designed to ensure that it can be armed with two X-66 air-to-surface missiles. The complex was required to submit to the customer for testing in July of the same year, but work was delayed, and flights began in September. The missile with a starting weight of 278 kg and 103 kg of a warhead had a range (depending on the flight mode of the aircraft carrier) from 3 to 10 km and was launched at altitudes from 500 to 5000 m. Experimental test pilots M.M. . Komarov, P.M. Ostapenko, A.G. Fastovets and the Air Force GNAI G.A. Gorovoy, VS Kotlov, V.G. Plyushkin and MI Bobrovitsky. in 1968, the X-66 entered service to front-line aviation, where MiG-21PFS fighters were being developed under it

In the literature on the history of the MiG-21 there is often an erroneous opinion that the MiG-21PFS and MiG-21PFM are completely different modifications of aircraft. Many researchers continue to argue, when the SFC turned into a PFM? Some argue that with the installation of the KM chair and, respectively, with the change of the cockpit canopy, others with the installation of an increased keel area, the appearance of alphabetic and digital numbering in the designation of the series, the installation of an upgraded radar, etc. The MiG-21PFS and MiG-21PFM are the same aircraft and it received its new designation MiG-21PFM already after 1966-67 (when the serial production of the E-7ASPS for the Soviet Air Force was discontinued). It can be said with certainty that the conversion of the SFC into PFM occurred - during its operation. Not a single document was found (until 1966) where there would be a designation of the aircraft as the MiG-21PFM. Since its introduction in 1963 the aircraft has the designation E-7 (type-94), equipped with an ATP system and SPRD. Already after the E-7PSS technical description books, an inscription MiG-21PFM was made in pencil.

 

The MiG-21PFM was the last of the twenty-first family to which the aerobatic team of military pilots from Kubinka, Moscow region, flew. On subsequent modifications of the machine, a large invoice tank obscured the vertical tail and impaired the maneuverability characteristics of the fighter.

 

During the operation of the MiG-21PPS / PFM replaced by more advanced aircraft, and not depleted interceptors were transferred to fighter-bomber regiments. For example, the former MiG-21PFM interceptors (about 30 aircraft), which were part of the 136th air regiment of fighter-bombers and the 50th separate mixed air regiment, participated in combat operations in Afghanistan. They carried out the tasks of suppressing air defense objects, attacked enemy ground targets (usually two OFAB-250 high-explosive fragmentation bombs).

 

Export aircraft were bundled depending on the country of importer. Thus, unmanaged C-24 missiles and incendiary tanks were excluded from the armament of the MiG-21PF and PFM aircraft supplied to the countries of people's democracy (variant "A"), and the prefix Zarya was excluded from the SRZO-2 equipment.

Part of the decommissioned MiG-2PF / PFM aircraft were converted into M-21 targets, intended both to train the calculations of anti-aircraft missile systems and to test new air defense systems.

MiG-21PFS / PFM was serially built from 1963-1966 in Gorky and in Moscow in 1966-1968 for export.

 

 

 

 

Cockpit:

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Comparison with other variants:

 

 

Camouflage:

 

 

 

 

Specifications

 

 

Spoiler

 

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PFM "Fishbed-F"

 

 

General Characteristics

 

First flight:  1962

Number built:  944 (Soviet Air Force)

Status:  Production, canceled

Role:  Fighter, all-weather air superiority

Crew:  1

Length:  14.1 m (46.25 ft)

Wingspan:  7.15 m (23.45 ft)

Wing area:  23 m² (247.57 ft²)

Height:  4.71 m (13.45 ft)

Empty weight:  5,350 kg (11,794.73 lbs)

Loaded weight:  7,820 kg (17,240 lbs)

Max. takeoff weight:  9,120 kg (20,106 lbs)

Powerplant:  1 x Tumansky R-11F2S-300 afterburning turbojet

• without afterburner: 3,950 kgf (38.73 kN, 8,708 lbf)
• with afterburner: 6,175 kgf (60.55 kN, 13,614 lbf)

Fuel capacity:  2,200 kg (4,850 kg)

 

Performance

 

Maximum speed: 

• At sea level: 1,180 km/h (733 mph, 637 kts) (without afterburner), 1,305 km/h (811 mph, 704.6 kts) (with afterburner)
• At 12,500 m (41,101 ft): 2,230 km/h (1,385.6 mph, 1,204 kts) (with afterburner, full power)

Maximum Mach number: 2.05M

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

Rate of climb:  204 m/s (669.3 ft/s)

Time to 10,000 m (32,808 ft):  6.2 min

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

Range:  1,300 km (808 mi, 702 nmi)

Max. range: 1,670 km (1,038 mi, 901.7 nmi)

Wing loading:

• Empty weight: 232.608696 kg/m² (47.64 lb/ft²)
• Loaded weight: 340 kg/m² (69.64 lb/ft²)
• Max. takeoff weight: 396.521739 kg/m² (81.21 lb/ft²)

Thrust/weight (without afterburner):

• Empty weight: 0.74
• Loaded weight: 0.54
• Max. takeoff weight: 0.43

Thrust/weight (with afterburner):

• Empty weight: 1.15
• Loaded weight: 0.79
• Max. takeoff weight: 0.67

 

Armament

 

Guns:  N/A

Rockets:

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

or

• 2 x S-24 unguided rockets

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)

Missiles:

• 2 x R-3S infrared-homing/heat-seeking air-to-air missiles

or

• 2 x R-3R active radar-homing air-to-air missiles

or

• 2 x RS-2US beam-riding air-to-air missiles

or

• 2 x R-13M infrared-homing/heat-seeking air-to-air missiles

or 

• 2 x Kh-66 Grom air-to-ground missiles

Other:

• Optional: 1 x 23mm GSh-23L autocannon (200 rds total) in GP-9 gunpod under the fuselage

Electronics: RP-21M radar

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources/References:

 

 

Spoiler

 

http://www.museumofflight.org/aircraft/mikoyan-gurevich-mig-21-pfm-fishbed-f

https://forum.valka.cz/topic/view/12473/

Nikolay Yakubovich. MiG-21 fighter. Interceptors and scouts 
M-Hobby. Evgeny Arsenyev, Dmitry Baranov. Fighter MiG-21PF. 
Wings of Russia. History and aircraft OKB "MiG" 
Wings of the Motherland. Yefim Gordon. The birth of a long-lived 
Efim Gordon, Vladimir Klimov. MiG-21 Wings of the Motherland. E.Egenburg. 

Supersonic jet "MiG" The history of aircraft designs in the USSR 1951-1965. 

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 December 17, 2020 by EpicBlitzkrieg87

[leroyonly 4,311]

Open for discussion. 

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

2 minutes ago, leroyonly said:

Open for discussion. 

 

Very quick, thank you!

[Ein79 5,752]

+10

Fully support.

+I'm ready to pay for this camo:

[Ainen 284]

48 minutes ago, EpicBlitzkrieg87 said:

The other group is third generation starting from the MiG-21bis and onward.

Small correction: with MiG-21S.

MiG-21bis is an ultimate production variant.

 

Overall: fighter with a pod(to grind) and only two pylons regrettably is going to be a nightmare at the moment. Aside from this, the more the marrier.

 

Edited February 7, 2019 by Ainen

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

12 minutes ago, Ainen said:

Overall: fighter with a pod(to grind) and only two pylons regrettably is going to be a nightmare at the moment. Aside from this, the more the marrier.

 

 

Its counterparts would be the F-4A, F-4B and F-4C, those did not have internal guns either, and only the F-4C had a gunpod. 

 

We can hope they add the gunpod as a default option that you can remove and add. 

[Ainen 284]

1 hour ago, EpicBlitzkrieg87 said:

 

Its counterparts would be the F-4A, F-4B and F-4C, those did not have internal guns either, and only the F-4C had a gunpod. 

 

We can hope they add the gunpod as a default option that you can remove and add. 

Phantoms have 8 missiles in their low drag air-to-air configuration, though. Not 2(4). There are other aircraft which will suffer from this restriction, of course.

+USMC F-4Bs carried underwing gun pods anyways. In real life they weren't especially suitable to dogfight, but we aren't in real life.

 

 i just dislike missile launch warning. 

 

Edited February 8, 2019 by Ainen

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

11 hours ago, Ainen said:

Phantoms have 8 missiles in their low drag air-to-air configuration, though. Not 2(4). There are other aircraft which will suffer from this restriction, of course.

 

 

So it could carry more than 6 AIM-7Ds? Where did you find that? 

 

11 hours ago, Ainen said:

 +USMC F-4Bs carried underwing gun pods anyways. In real life they weren't especially suitable to dogfight, but we aren't in real life.

 

I'm aware of the Colt Mk 12 gunpod but was it ever fitted for an F-4B?

 

12 hours ago, Einherjer1979 said:

+I'm ready to pay for this camo:

 

Our wallets are ready  

Edited February 8, 2019 by EpicBlitzkrieg87

[Ainen 284]

6 hours ago, EpicBlitzkrieg87 said:

 So it could carry more than 6 AIM-7Ds? Where did you find that? 

 

It carries 4 AIM-7s and 4 AIM-9s in its basic configuration

 

6 hours ago, EpicBlitzkrieg87 said:

I'm aware of the Colt Mk 12 gunpod but was it ever fitted for an F-4B?

Of course. Not just "ever", it was one of the most popular pod options. F-4B was an USMC workhorse, and marine air is all about supporting grunts on the ground.

Edited February 8, 2019 by Ainen

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

40 minutes ago, Ainen said:

It carries 4 AIM-7s and 4 AIM-9s in its basic configuration

 

 

I don't think that was ever fitted. Where did you find that? You didn't answer me yet. 

 

41 minutes ago, Ainen said:

Of course. Not just "ever", it was one of the most popular pod options. F-4B was an USMC workhorse, and marine air is all about supporting grunts on the ground.

 

But was it fitted on the F-4B? If no Gaijin won't bother. 

[Ainen 284]

1 hour ago, EpicBlitzkrieg87 said:

 

I don't think that was ever fitted. Where did you find that? You didn't answer me yet. 

Are u trolling?

[RanchSauce39 397]

2 hours ago, Ainen said:

Are u trolling?

 

 

 gunpods are not  authorized stores as they are not referenced in the F4B manual nor SAC.

 

http://www.avialogs.com/index.php/en/aircraft/usa/mcdonnelldouglas/f-4phantomii/f-4bphantomiistandardaircraftcharacteristics-1july1967.html

 

 

Whilst SUU16 and SUU23 gunpods are referenced  for F4C,   F4D  and even F4E models used by the USAF, as being able to be carried in either Fuselage ( station 5) or on underwings ( stations 1 and 9).

 

pg403

 

http://www.avialogs.com/index.php/en/aircraft/usa/mcdonnelldouglas/f-4phantomii/to-1f-4c-1-flight-manual-f-4c-f-4d-and-f-4e-aircraft.html

 

 

But for the US navy  Mk4 gunpods ( essentially colt mk12)  are however referenced for the successors to the F4B: the F4J and later F4S phantoms.

 

 

http://www.avialogs.com/index.php/en/aircraft/usa/mcdonnelldouglas/f-4phantomii/f-4jphantomiistandardaircraftcharacteristics-august1973.html

 

 

http://www.avialogs.com/index.php/en/aircraft/usa/mcdonnelldouglas/f-4phantomii/f-4sphantomiistandardaircraftcharacteristics-may1984.html

 

Edited February 8, 2019 by RanchSauce39

[RanchSauce39 397]

+1 would like to see the Mig21PFM si good  followup to the Mig21F/F13

 

also some information about its RP21M radar ( and its limitations)

 

 

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

21 hours ago, Ainen said:

Are u trolling?

 

Simply forgetting something does not equal trolling 

[Warlock_Leader 292]

On 07/02/2019 at 17:16, Einherjer1979 said:

+10

Fully support.

+I'm ready to pay for this camo:

why pay for it when they can add it as an unlock-able skin like they've done in the past?

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

47 minutes ago, DarkSideSix said:

why pay for it when they can add it as an unlock-able skin like they've done in the past?

 

He's just commenting on how beautiful it is and that he'd even pay for it if they made it unlockable with only your wallet

[Ein79 5,752]

16 hours ago, DarkSideSix said:

why pay for it when they can add it as an unlock-able skin like they've done in the past?

Why? Because this game is not driven by cosmic energy but real money - and I am ready to support this game with real money by buying content that is worth it.

The default camouflage can be all-silver.  Green-brown for 200 GE + unlock-able after extensive playing.

[Warlock_Leader 292]

6 hours ago, Einherjer1979 said:

Why? Because this game is not driven by cosmic energy but real money 

That's what the Rank V Premium pack is for. Although yeah, it's fine if it works like other skins that can be unlocked through play AND purchasable, should one want to skip the grind. That's what i meant to say. Either way.

 

+1

[PaganMin_ 483]

If US are getting the F-4 Phantom II and brits the Lightning and french the Mirage III.

[EpicBlitzkrieg87 8,350]

19 hours ago, DrEvil__ said:

If US are getting the F-4 Phantom II and brits the Lightning and french the Mirage III.

 

I think that's a no brainer, they will definitely get those  

[Milocat 4,857]

+1, this would be an excellent tier 5/6 addition.

[Wilhuff_Tarkin_ 467]

+1 for a winged pencil

[kamikazi21358 998]

+1 for best looking jet, in the farther future obviously.

[SiouxsieSioux 26]

+1 here the CAS capabilities of this variant would be very welcome with the KH-66 air to ground missiles.

[RanchSauce39 397]

On 11/06/2019 at 20:47, DeusInAbsentia said:

+1 here the CAS capabilities of this variant would be very welcome with the KH-66 air to ground missiles.

 

Sadly attack potential still pretty limited because of just 2 hardpoints.

 

compared to even an F100 which can carry 2 bullpups and still have 4 bombs. with just bombs, the HUn can carry 10 500 lbs bombs,  F105 could carry as much as B17's  and F4  even more, as it could outcarry a B17.
 

Later generation mig21's like the Mig21S,SM, and mig21BIS will have 4 hardpoints, but will still pale to US aircraft of comparable Time period ( or even B.R)

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 16, 2019 by RanchSauce39