‘COPYRIGHT © 1989 SQUADRON/SIGNAL PUBLICATIONS, INC. IMIS CROWLEY DRIVE CARROLLTON, TEXAS 75011-5010 Allright reserved. Nopartof this publication may he reprodived, stored ina retrieval system or ransmited in anyformby any means electrical mechan- ical or otherwise, without writen permission of the publisher. ISBN 0-89747.225-% ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My deepest thanks to everyone who contributed material for this book. A number of Eastern European and Soviet magizines pro- vided me with much of the information on the camouflage and markings of the MiG-21, Don Greer’s excellent paintings were based on detail pictures ofa MiG-21F-13 and a MiG-21PF taken in the Armeemuseumn at Dresden as well a MiG-21F-13 at Budads Air- id near Budapest, Hungary. special thanks o Nicholas J. Waters It for editing my English into “Americanese.” PHOTO CREDITS Dick Cole Urs Hamisch Walter Hodel Robert J. Ruffle Polish Air Force GRU, Pictures Martin Kybure United States Air Force Lech Zielaskowski Nicholas J. Waters IIT Wojtek Luczak Robert Bock ‘This natural mata MIG:-21R is armed with two K-1A (AA-2 Atol alto alr missles, The MIG-21Rs basicallya MIG-21MFFishbed J without the ‘under fuselage GSh-23L 230m cannon, If you have any photographs of the srerft, armor, solders oF ships of any nation, particulary wartime saapshots, why aot share them with ws and help he Squadron/Signals books all the more Interesting nd complete ia the future. Any photograph sent ous willbe copied andthe orginal returned, The donor wil be fully credited for any photos used. Pease send them Squaron/Signal Publications, ne 1115 Crowley Drive Carrollon, TX 75011-5010, ‘An East German Air Force MIG-21PFM Fishbed F takes off from the ‘grass flold at Magdeburg Alr Base with the help of SPRO-99 Racket ‘Assist Take Off (RATO) rockets at the World Aerobatic Championships ‘during 1968.‘A Czoch-bullt MIG-21F-13, Black 1114, has deployed all three ai brakes, ‘and its braking parachute to shorten its landing roll Czech bull Fish beds fered from the Soviet bull variants In having a solid panel ‘The MiG-21M series was the frst ofthe multi-role Fishbeds and featured a win barrel Nudelman-Richter GSh-23L 23x cannon semi-rocessed in the underside of the fuselage, forward of the center line pylon. The MiG-21M was powered by the R-11F-28-300 engine, While the MiG-21SM and MiG-21MF variants were upgraded with 8 14,530 Ibst Tamanskii R-13-300 power plant. Reconnaissance Variants (MiG-218 and MiG-2iRF) deleted the GSh-23L cannon, replacing it with a camera/ELINT pod carried on the centerline pylon. The aircraft also had Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) anten- ‘has on the wingtips. “The MiG-21SMT was the forerunner for the fourth generation of the Fishbed family. The MiG OKB successfully reduced the weight ‘of the MiG-21 by using titanium parts and refined the airframe to improve overall performance. The MiG-2ISMT Fishbed Kalso.car- ried improved avionics, a larger dorsal spine housing avionics and incveased fuel tankage, the internal fuel capacity now being some 766 gallons in seven tanks, The Soviets viewed the MiG-2ISMT as “only an interim aircraft pending availablity ofthe 16755 Ibst Turman~ skit R-25-300 engine. ‘This Czech bult MG-21F-19 crashed into forested area noar Eristit/ CChiemgaus in Bavaria, West Germany on 25 November 1968 while the pilot was attempting to make @ forced landing. The pilot was Kiled. ‘behind the cockpit in piace ofthe extended clear canopy. This Fishbed Ciassignedtoa traning unt based at Prerov A Basen the Slovakian region of Crechosiovakia. The last variant of the MiG-21 family was a development of the MiG-2ISM which featured the R-25-300 engine and other refinements Jn avionics (ncludinga new navigational system) under the designation MiG-21bis. The MiG-21bis Fishbed L/N isthe lastofthe seriesto be builtin the Soviet Union; however, development ofthe basic MiG- 21 continues in both China and India, calle tothe fighter variants, two seat trainers were also developed. by the MiG OKB. The Ye-6U trainer prototype flew for the first time inthe early Springof 1960, with the first production MiG-21U, given the NATO reporting name Mongol A. leaving the assembly line dur- ing 1963. Initially the two seat trainers were unarmed; however, some Mongol As had a 127MM machine gun installed on the star- board side of the nose, The MiG-21U Mongol A diflered from the single seat MiG-21F-13 in having only a single air brake, with the forward air brakes deleted, Trainer variants equipped with the blown flaps of the MiG-21SPS and enlarged chord fin were designated the MiG-21US Mongol B. The MiG-21UM series has the same avionics land equipment as the third generation MiG-21M series, although they also carry the Mongol B NATO name. Red807, aPollsh AirForce MiG-21F-13Fishbed C, on finalapproach for landing with speed brakes anclanding gear extonded. The MIG-21F-13 ‘ontered service in Poland with tho 1st PLM (1st Fighter Group) on 12 September 1963. The 1st PLM was formed in the USSR during the Second World War, ying Yakovlev fighters.MiG-21 Camouflage and Markings The first MiG-21 Fishbeds let the assembly lines in an overall ‘natural metal finish which was standard forall Fishbed variants in Soviet and WARSAW Pact service. All Fishbed variants have a Gloss Dark Green air intake shock cone, as well as having the front portion of the ventral fin painted in this same color ‘A small number of early MiG-21F-13s and MiG-21PFs had the SOD transponder filter antenna area (atthe top of the vertical fin) painted in Gloss Dark Green, while the majority left the antenna area in natural metal. About half ofthe late production MiG-21 PFs and MiG-21PEMs had the SOD antenna area in natural metal ‘while the remainder had the antenna panel painted in Gloss Dark Green. Allthird and forth generation Fishbeds (MiG-21M through MIG-2Ibis) have the antenna panel in Gloss Dark Green, The heat resistant parts ofthe exhaust cone have a darker heat discolored metal color, while there isa variety of colors used in the landing gear bays of natural metal MiG-21s, Most had the internal bay left in natural metal; however, a number of aircraft had the bays ‘and insides of the landing gear doors painted with an anti-corrision Groen Chromate paint ‘The cockpit interior ofthis MIG-21PF ls Blue-Groen, withaBlack instru: ‘ment panel. The curved metal plate on top of the SK ejection seat arms. the seat when the canopy Is closed. The MIG-21PF differed trom the MiG-21F-73 In having ai Intercept radar equipment and a lack of slazed canopy section behind the cockpit. ‘pair ofPolish ArForce MiG-21PF Fishbed Ds are readied fora raining ‘mission. The centerbody shock cone on the MIG-21PFislarger than the MiG-21F-13 and housed the antenna forthe ar search radar. Both al craft aro armed with two K-13 (AA-2 Atal) air-to-air missiles. ‘The cockpitinterior and the instrument consoles are painted ina light Blue-Green color, while the instrument panel is usually in semi-gloss Black (although there are a number of MiG-21F-13s and MiG-21PFs with light Blue-Green panels). The filling material bet- ‘ween the cockpit frame and the glass was Black on the early MiG- 21F-13/PE/PEMSs. The material was changed on third and fourth generation MiG-21s and is now painted a Dark Yellow color. The inside of the cockpit framing isthe same colorasthe cockpit interior. ‘while the interior of the airbrakes is usually natural metal. Inside of the maintenance panels on the nose and fuselage can be either natural metal or Green Chromate. The braking parachutes were White on the early models, but during the mid-1970s a Red/White braking parachute was introduced on Soviet and WARSAW Pact Fishbeds. “Most Sovet and WARSAW Pact MIG-21PFa dd not cary national markings. ‘on the upper wing surfaces, a tradition adopted during the Second ‘World War. Later variants began carrying upperwing national markings beginning during the mid-1970s.a aS Early production MIG-21PF Fishbed Ds had the braking parachute hhoused on the port side of the lower fuselage near the tall. This East German Alr Force Fishbed s also oqulpped witha single K-13 missile ‘simulator pod on the port underwing missliopyion. ‘This Soviet Al Force MiG-21bis Fishbed L/N, Blue 27, is armed with R- {3R (AA-2-2 Advanced Atol) missles on thecutboard pyionsand TypoS- 224-240 wm unguided aircraft rockats on the inboard pylons. ‘This East German MIG-21MF Fishbed Js armed with K-13A (AA-2) mis- ‘les on the outboard pylons, and pairs of K-60 (AA-#) missiles on the Inboard pyions. The AA-B APhidisashortrange misslleused for closeln fighting. During the mid-1970, Soviet and WARSAW Pact forces began, tocamouflage their tactical aircraft. There was large number of dif ferent camouflage schemes used within the Soviet Air Force, unlike the USAF or NATO Forces where the aireaft are almost identically painted. ‘Tho Soviet requirement for camouflage simply states that, “The uuppersurfaces are to be painted in different colors.” The colors used to camouflage a fighter depend on where the Fishbed isto be used. In the European part of the Soviet Union as well as in Russian regiments based in Eastern Europe, the Fishbeds are mainly pain« ted in Dark Green, Earth Brown and Olive Drab on the uppersur- Faces with Light Gray undersurfaces (although a number of Fishbeds had Light Blue undersurfaces). Fishbeds based in the Asian part of the USSR were mainly ‘camouflaged in Olive Drab and Sand, with Red Brown, Green and Gray areas being added depending on tactical requirements. The Undersurfaces were cither in Light Gray of Light Bluc. Fishbeds hhave been seen painted in two. three, or four color schemes on the uppersurfaces. The camouflage patterns can sharply contrast from fone MiG-21 to another within the same Regiment, while the colors used are basically the same. Due tothe lack ofan issued standard paint scheme, much work- ing freedom is granted to the painters. The standard camouflage colors can also vary slightly, depending om where the paint was pro- ‘duced and the age of the paint before it was used, The paint used on‘This camouflaged MIG-21MF Fishbed J of the Afghanistan Al Force ‘vas usec mainly nthe alto-ground role against Afghan freedom fightors ‘and carries a camouflage of Sand, Medium Brown and Dark Green. Fishbeds is a semi-gloss, which usually weathers to a more gloss Finish after ¢ period of time. ‘On camouflaged MiG-21s, the insides of the landing gear wells ‘and the insidesof the main wheel doors, as well the insides ofthe ai brakes, are the same color asthe undersurface camouflage color (i. Light Gray or Light Blue). Mostcamouflaged Fishbeds have a Light Blue-Green cockpit interior, including the canopy framing. The insides of maintenance panclson the noseand the fuselage are Dark Yellow, although some are Green Chromate. As with natural met Fishbeds, the exhaust area is unpainted heat discolored metal ‘A number of WARSAW Pact countries have developed their own ‘camoullage colors and patterns to suit their particular tactical needs. The Czech Air Force uses Earth Brown and Dark Green uppersur face camouflage over Light Green undersurfaces. The East German Air Force's standard camouflage scheme on its MiG-21PFs and MiG-2IMFs consists of Earth Brown and Olive Green uppers faces and over Light Gray undersurfaces. During one period the Luftareitrifte tested a camouflage of Light Brown and Medium Green and during early 1988 they began an evaluation of a new camoullage scheme using two different Green colors on the upper- Surfaces with Light Blue undersurfaces. The Hungarians use acamou- flage of Light Brown and Olive Drab uppersurfaces over Light Blue undersurfaces, Air Superiority Gray During the mid-1970s, the Soviet Air Force and the WARSAW Pact forces began to paint their MiG-21MFs and later variants assigned to the interceplor/air superiority role in an overall air superiority Light Gray finish. On almostall Fishbeds finished in the air superiority Gray scheme, the air intake shock cone, forward half of the ventral fin and the SOD transponder antenna panel are paine ted Gloss Dark Green, The landing gear wells and insides of the landing gear doors arc sometimes painted Light Gray, although most are left natural metal. Although widely used, the air superiority Finish was not standard and tis not uncommon to find both natural metal and Light Gray Fishbeds within the same fighter regiment, Late model air superiority Gray MiG-2Is are in service with all WARSAW Pact countries and there is no difference in the color within these countries. In common with the Soviets, a mix of Light ¥y camouflaged and natural metal MiG-21s within fighter regiments, iscommon. The East Germans have also repainted a small number of their oder MiG-21PFMs in air superiority Light Gray finish, the only WARSAW Pact country (odo so. A number of Polish Air Force MiG-2Is assigned to regiments on the Baltic coast are painted in an overall White camouflage. ‘An Egyptian Ar Force ofr discusses an upcoming ight withthe pilot (Of a MIG-21MF Fishbed J at Cairo West Airild during the joint US/ Egyptian exercisa, Bright Star 83. The faintly visible tactical number on the nose ls n Black Arabic numbers. (Dick Col) East German Air Force alert pilots man thelr alr superiority Light Gray MiG-24MF Flenbed Js. All alreraft are armed with two R-3R (AA-2-2 ‘Advanced Atoll radar guided missiles on the Inboard pylons and K-13‘Blue 66 is a ite production MIG-21PF Fishbed D which had the Braking ‘parachute housing moved tothe base ofthe vertical fin, The Fishbed D ‘also had the leading edge ofthe vertical fin changed from an angular legging edge toa straight leading edge. Service Markings Since its service introduction until the mid1970s, the Soviet Air Force and most WARSAW Pact forces applied their national markings ‘on the vertical fin and undersurfaces of both wings. Normally 10 national markings were carried on the wing uppersurfaces (with the exception of East Germany). The Red Soviet star was usually bor {dered in White with a thin Red outline on all Fishbeds. On the first MiG-21F-13staken into service, the White border was deleted lea ing the area between the star and Red outline in natural metal A number of Fishbeds used by the Polish Air Force also carried aan additional national insignia on the fuselage side behind the wing as well as the fin marking. This practice is also commen with non- WARSAW Pact countries using Fishbeds, such as India, Egypt and others. Many ofthese coutries use a fuselage roundel in conjunction with a national fin lash on the vertical fin, Duringthe mid-1970sthe Soviet Union and the WARSAW Pact progressively began to apply the national markings on the wing uppersurfaces, especially on ‘camouflaged aircraft. Soviet regiments and WARSAW Pact forves carry large tactical numbers on the nose of their Fishbeds. These tactical numbers were usually formed by using the las digits ofthe aircraft's serial number lod 6915, Polish AieForce MiG-21PFMFiahbed F,isbeing refueled by ‘afuoling crane from a fuel truck. The auxilary inet cover infront ofthe ‘wing roots is Red. This MIG-21PFM carries K-60 (AA-8 Aphid) missle falls Instead of the more common K-13 rail ‘Blue 27 is alate production MiG-21bis Fishbed L/N ands camouflaged Ina fourcolor pattern. Soviet national insignia have been applied tothe ‘wing uppersurfaces, a practice that did not start unt the mld-1870s, ‘The Blue tactical number has 8 thin White outline. Occasionally, the frstdigitsofthe number willbe used. Apart roma fewexceptions, the Soviet Air Force uses a two digit tactical number The colorof the tactical number denotes the aireralt'sregiment, with the most common colors being Red. Light Blue, Blue and Black. Early Soviet MiG-21F-I3s carried the tactical number without yy form of outlining: however, on later natural metal and air superiority Light Gray Fishbeds the tactical number usually has a thin Black outline, while on camouflaged aireraft the number usualy is outlined in White. Thercisa large varietyin the style ofthe tactical numbers with no apparent standard being established. ‘There is quite a difference in tactical numbers found on Fishbeds within the air forces of the WARSAW Pact and other countries, Bulgaria and Rumania use a three digit Red number. Czechoslovakia uses a four digit Black number with no outline. Polish MiG-21s usually curry a four digit non-outlined Red numiter. although some Fishbeds have been noted with thrce digit numbers and a very few have been scen with tho digit Red tactical numbers. On the Polish MiG-21U/UM trainers, a Red “U" follows the tax ner. The Hungarian Ai ed from a three Digit unoutlined Red number to a four digit ed number with a thin White outline ‘The East German Air Force uses unoutlined three digit numbers and for a time the Lufisreskrate was known to alter their tactical‘This early MIG-21F-13 Fishbed C was demonstrated at Tushino Airaid ‘during the 1961 Aviation Day alr show. “This MIG-21F-12 Fishbed C was flown to Israel by a defecting Iraqi Air Force pilot and repaintedin Israeli Defense Force/Alr Force markings. “This Hungarian Air Force MIG-21F-13 Is parked on its hardstand with |AMIG-21F-12Fishbed ofthe Hungarian AirForce parkedonitsharde: the pilot's boarding ladder and nose gear tow boom nearby. The sir {and with the plot's boarding addorin lace. Tewing pylonsarefitted data sensor boom under the nose has the Red protective cover in plas ‘with K-13 (AR-2 Atal missile ral. to protect the Instrument sensor vanes from damage on the ground,Cockpit Canopies MiG-21PFM And Later Variants jae i MiG-21F-13 MiG-21PF Rocket Pods UB-16 Sixteen Shot Rocket Pod Control 57MM Unguided Rocket UB-32 Thirty-two Shot Rocket Pod KM-1 Ejection SeatMiG-21 PF/PM Landing Gear Main Landing Gear Speed Brakes MiG-21F-13 Forward Speed Brake7 ‘A MiG-21F-19 of No 300 Wing, Indonesian Air Force. This alrcratt is i ‘currently on display atthe Miltary Museum in Jakarta, Indone: This U.S. Ar Force MIG-21F-13 Fishbed C is belleved to be one of six —~ MiG-218 donated to the USAF by srael after they were captured trom the Algerian Alr Force during the Six Day Wat. ‘aa the East German Air Force replaced its MiG-21F-123s with ater variants, it converted the Fishbed Cs to the tactieal reconnaissance role and ‘camouflaged the aircraft for the low level operations.“The MIG-21F-13s bult in China as the Xian Jani (fighting arcratt7) The and sknown inthe West as first Chinese Bull MIG-21 New fon 8 January 1965, ‘This MIG-21PF wasused by the Sovietsas.a testbed fora number of dit- ferent systems. The Inscription on tho nose stands for trainer. ‘This MIG-21PF Fishbed O, Blue 69, visited Uppsala, Sweden during 10987 on a goodwill fight‘A Hungarian Air Force MIG-21PF Fishbed parked on its hardstand American and Egyptian Ar Force personnel discuss the merits ofa MiG- waiting forte next mission. 2IMF Fishbed J at Cairo West Alrteld during exercise Bright Sar 83. ‘Tho tactical number on the nose is In Black Arable style numbers. (Dick Cole) ‘The MIG-21PFY Fishbed Ds of the North Vietnamese Alr Force were ‘specially modified to withstand the tropical Vietnamese clmate. ‘This natural metal Soviet Alr Force MIG-21PFM Fishbed F carries the Excellent Aircraft award on the nose in Red. ANIG-21PFM Fishbed Fof he Fuerza Aeros Revoluctonaira Revolutionary ‘Ar Force). Cuba has operated at least ex aferent variants of the 7 Mic-21. rr)— ‘A ground crewman assists the plot of an East German Air Force MIG- These Earth Brown and Medium Green camoutiaged East German MIG- 2IPFM Fished Fstrapin tothe cockpit Thealrcrat'struetacticalnum- 21PFFishbed Dsarearmed tor the air to-groundrole with UB-32rockst bor, Red 486. hasbeenalteredtorsecurilyreasonsby theaddtionotan pods on the wing pylons. The tactical numbers on both aircratt (951 ‘extra 1, common practice in the East German Air Force foreground and 989) have been altered with the adation ofa 1 In front ‘of the number |AMIG-21PFM Fished F of the North Korean Peoples Alt Force during the early 1970s. North Koreahas more than one hundred MIG-21PFand FMS in service, Red 252, a natural motal MIG-21PFM Fishbed F of an Afghanistani lr Force alt defense regiment. ‘camoutlage thelr MIG-21PFV Fishbed Fs to make them harder to spot by American reconnaissance aircraft NAF671, 2 Tan and Brown camouflaged MiG-21MF Fishbed ‘Nigerian Air Force. The Red tactical numberon thenose consists ofthe last two digits of the serial number.MiG-21 Armament = NR-30 . 30mm Cant non, (MiG-21F, MIG-21F-13 and Xian F-7) GP-9, 23mm Cannon Pod (MiG-21PF, MiG-21PFM) GSh-23, 23mm Cannon Pod (MiG-21MF and later variants) MiG-21R/RF Fishbed H Undertuselage Reconnaissance Pod MiG-21 130 Gallon Drop Tank {Outboard Wing Pyions. and Centerline Pyion)K-13 (AA-2 Atoll) missile rail and '$-240 rocket rail K-60 (AA-8 Aphid) single missile rail K-60 (AA-8 Aphid) ‘dual missile rail K-13 (Radar Atal) /, missile rail _/ K-13A (Radar Atoll) Bombs FAB 250 (550 Ibs) FAB 500 (1,100 Ibs) Fed 430, an East German Alr Force MIG-21MF, carries a K-60 missile This MIG-21MF Fishbed Jisarmedwith single K-13 (AA-2 Atoll missile launch rallon the inboard wing pyion and a fuel tank on the centertine on the outboard wing pylon and dual K-60 (AA-8 Aphid) misallesaunchers Dylon, fon the inboard wing pylon.‘Acamouflaged Soviet Air Force MIG-21bis Fished L/N, Black 05,crosses An East German MIG-21MF Fishbed Js servicedinits parking spot ate the end of the runway on final approach to its Rome base. former Luftwatte Second World War air base. This aircraft carries 2 threa tone uppersurface camouflage of Earth Brovin, Dark and Medium Green. ‘This natural metal Soviet Air Force MIG-21S carries Red recognition stripes on the rear fuselage. The stripes ware used to dertity Soviet nes Units engaged In the Czech invasion of August 1966. Ss ‘A desert camouflaged MIG-21MF Fishbed J ofthe iraql lr Force. Mi 28, paired with low fying Mirage F-18, were responsible for sev ‘als against iranian F-148 during the Persian Gulf War. e ‘A.Chinese Xian F-78 Fishbed C of the Egyptian Alt Force. The F-78 ait fers rom the MiG-21F-13 inhavinga rer opening canopy and repostioned ‘drag chute housing. / f aza— r Mm [A MIG-21bis Fishbed LIN of the Finnish Air Force. The Black Lynx Insignia was also carried on natural metal MIG-21F-13s, the first MIG: 218 flown by the Finns. 18ie Sovel i ors M21 carving te Aan our cobr upper: Ta Sole Ab Force M-2"bi carta the Aan fur 2} YODA coca ofan Egypte AF Fotca UG-IMF reve Blue-Greon ’ caorumn acamee iehace cosine asaieret wasn ope) Green over Light Gray undersurfaces. The sireraft nthe Background Sroa Mig-1SUM Midgot and an ir''2 Crate transport. dlring the Joint US/Eayptian exercise, right Star 83. (Dick Cole) ‘One of approximately eighty MIG-21MF Fishbed Js in service withthe Bulgarian Air Foree, “The Romanian Air Force's one ofthe smaliestin the WARSAW Pactand ‘operates the MIG-21MF Fishbed J in the air defense role ‘org 1095 Remae Stanjesron esr rg om oun 1) Anairsuperonty Light Gray MiG-2 MF Flehbed J of he East German Ar Force, the mic-31 Is currenty being replaced in ar defense unite wrt he 86-29 Fulcrum & <@\_S]=< 899 = 5. 19MiG-21MF CockpitProtective Covers Boundry Layer Exhaust Port Cover Air Intake Cover ‘The tall surfaces on this MiG-21 bya single piece cover that ‘al. fotally protected from the weather ‘both the vertical and ertzonts| ‘The fuselage auxiliary air init cover is normally painted in Red withthe raft tactical number painted on itn White. This cover, hower 1 there are three separate protective covers forthe nose, fhe acest nambor ie hack soe Yello heckennurea 198 andair data boom. The nose radome/intake cover has ‘cal number paintedon tin lack. Thecoversare secured The missile ral/wing pylon on this MIG-21 Is covered with protective inploce with clot stipe. covers taken from two different aircraft, numbers B68 and B62. 2 Ss‘The inscription on this Soviet MiG-21bis Fishbed L/N indicates thatitis| 8 presentation aircraft from Komssomol, the Soviet Communist Youth Organization. KomcomonbcKes Fed C326, is a WiG-21MF Fishbed J of the Angolan Alr Force. Several ‘Angolan MiG-218 have been lost in combat with South Afican Mirage Fis. ‘This MIG-21U Mongol B was used.as an election seat test bed and car $ ties 9 Czech civ registration‘This camouflaged MIG-21MF Fishbed J of the Czech Ar Force carries ‘Woite exercise markings on the rear fuselage. ‘Camoutloged MiG-21SMT Fishbed Ks are used primarily inthe air to ‘ground role by Soviet Frontal Aviation unit,“Those Polish Al Force MIG-21PFM Fishbed Fs are armed for a ground attack mission with a centertine fuel tank and two UB-16 S7ab rocket pods on the underwing pylons. Both areraft carry fuselage national Insignia and Red tactical numbers. numbers on any aircraft that was to be photographed or appear in public, Normally a°I" wasadded tothe frontor rear of the’ cal number 10 confuse Western intelligence. In early 1985 Germans changed this security practice and began to overpaint the first digit of th the tactical number identifies what type unit the aircraft i to. Fishbeds carrying Red three digit tactical numbers are assigned tocombat units, while those carrying Black thrce digit numbers are assigned (0 training units, Without exception, all Lufisteithrijie MiG-21U Mongol trainers carry Black tactical numbers The method of applying service matkings on exported MiG-21s varies considerably and differs [rom country to country, dependent onthe tactical requirements and traditionsof that service. Forexam- ple, MiG-21MEs in Bangladesh carry asmall tactical number onthe ‘nose in Black. This number is made up ofthe last three digits of the siretaft serial number, which i repeated in full on the fin below the national fin flash, Natural metal Finnish MiG-21E-13 Fishbed Cs and camouflaged MiG-2Ibis Fishbed L/Ns both carried the Fil nish national insignia on both the lower and upper wing surfaces. MiG-21s in service with Middle Eastern nations usually have the tactical number on the nose in Black Arabic numerials, with the number often repeated on the fin, under or over the national fin Mash {A Finnish Alr Force MIG-21F-13 takes off from its home base during Apri of 1974. The Finns differed from the Soviets and WARSAW Pact Countriesin applying their national insignia to both thelower and upper wing surfaces. (Below) The Bangladesh Ar Force operated nine MiG-21M Fishbed Js, Including Black 201, untla lack of spare parts forced the alrcra to be rotied. The national lnsignla is a Dark Green roundel with aed center. ‘The aircraft serial number on the tall is 7251 In Black. (Below) A Czech Alr Force MIG-21M Fishbed J, Black 1114, takes off {romits base, The natural metal Fishbedis configured fora mix of aleto- _alr misslis, wth K-60 (AA-8) alison the outboard pylons and K-13 (AA- 2} alle on the inboard pylons (Gelow) An East German Air Force MiG-21PFM Fiahbed F lands at 2 ‘small emergency landing strip during an exercise in August ot 1979. ‘This Fishbed carrios the badge on the fuselage behind the Flugzeug der ausgezeichnelen Qualtit tactical number.Soviet pilots scramble to man thelr MIG-21PFM Fishbed Fe. The frst, second and fourth Fishbed allcarry the Excellent Aircraft award on the, ‘nose nied. The third MIG-2PFMisoquippedwitha ear view mirror on the canopy. The tactical numbers are in Blue with a thin Black outine. Special Markings The most common special marking applied to Soviet aircraft is the “Excellent Aircraft Award Badge.” This badge is carried on the nose of aireraft which have flown a certain number of trouble free flying hours and are in good mechanical condition, The award is given by a group of base officers and political commissars based on. the results of periodic inspections. Ifthe aireraft does not fulfill the requirements for the award on its next inspection, the badge is deleted. Natural metal and Light Gray Fishbeds carry the badge in Red. ‘On few occasions @ number of Fishbeds have been noted with inscriptions painted on them in conncotion with certain events celebrated in the USSR. Unit markings or squadron badges are rarely seen on Soviet or WARSAW Pact aircraft; however, this prac- tice is slowly changing. Recently Czech MiG-2Is have been seen with a unit insignia in the form ofa crest painted on the nose. Polish MiG-21s now carry the crest ofthe city at which they are based, on the nose. MiG-2Is in service outside the WARSAW Pact carry ‘variety of unit markings. Indian MiG-21s usually carry a squadron ‘markingon the aifcraft either on the nose or on the fin, and squad- ron markings have always been displayed prominently on Finnish MiG-2Is, The only WARSAW Pact force having an equivalent to the Rus- sian “Excellent Aircraft Award Badge” is the East German Air Force. The Flugzeug der ausgezeichneten Quality aircraftin excellent ‘This MIG-21PF Fishbed D of the Indian Air Force has the alrraft serial C1128onthetininBlack. The Indian Ar Forcehas operateda numberof sitferent variants of the MIG-21 including the MIG-21F-13, MIG-21MF, ‘MiG-2tbis, and MIG-21U/UM Mongol A and E, ‘The East Germans replaced the Russian language maintenance and emergency inscriptions with inscriptions in German. This MIG-21UM, Black 226, has been awarded the German equivalent of the Soviet Excellent Alreraft award. ‘condition) Badge isa winged "Q” applied hehind the tactical num: ber. Similar tothe Soviet award, itis given after a certain number of trouble free lying hours. Ifthe aircraft maintains hese standards on the next inspection, a Yellow star is added to the "Q.” Three stars the highest award possible for an East German aircraft or helicopter Maintenance inscriptions are carried on the Fishbed in Red or Black and are painted on the aircraft atthe final assembly stage. In service. the three or four digit tactical number isoften painted on all parts which can be removed ftom the aircraft for service or overhaul Bomb racks, pylons drop tanks and other equi Iso pain- ted with the aircraft's tactieal number, Aircraft exported outside of the Soviet Union are often marked with servicing and emergency inseriptions in the language of the recciving country. In many cases the maintenance inscriptions will also be completely changed after the aircrafts first major overhaul into the receiving counity’s language. This is necessary because round crews are not trained in Russian, tthe aircraitison the ground, the air intake, auxiliary nose inlet and exhaust pipe are usually covered by Red protective covers. These covers normally carry the tactical number of the aircraft assigned, sometimes neatly stenciled, while others have been noted. being crudely hand painted in either White or Black. The protective tarps that cover the aircraft and the pylons are mainly Brown or Dark Gray with the aircraft's tactical number earried on them in either Black or White. Finland displays the aircraft tactical number (MG-115) on the fuselage Side in Black. The MG code stands for MIG and was first used on the [MiG-21F-13 Fishbed Cs that entered service with Finiand during 1963.Unit insignias have always boon displayed prominently on Finnish Air Black Lynx insignla ‘ofthe 31st Fighter Group. The Finns received ther frst MIG-21bis dur- Ing 1980. ‘This air superiority Light Gray Polish Alr Force MIG-21MF Fishbed Jis ‘Unusual in that it carries @ unit marking on the nose. Tho Poles have begun marking thelr MiG-21s with the crest ofthe city at which they are ‘Based. This aircraft has the crest of Malbork (Marenburg during WI) located near the Batic coast. Polish MiG-21$ and MIG-21MFs are readied for the day's training fights ‘ons foggy autumn morning. The tarp covering the acraftin the foreground has the aircraft tactical number stencied on to prevent UnaUTROri26d “porrowing” by other ground crews. ‘Aline up of Polish MIG-21 PFMs on Polish aifleld. The three digit tact- ‘calnumber on the second alrcraftis unusual since mostPolshMIG-215, ‘carrya four digit number. Red 750318 hitted with the Red intake cover, ‘a8 well a cloth pitt tube cover. The oirce in front of the nose wheel ‘doors fe the ARK-10 radio compass antenna ‘Ground crews change the KM ejection seat on a Polish Alr Force MIG 21PFM Fishbed F, Red 5312. Tho Fishbed Is carrying the alr intake ‘covering of another alreraft inthe squadron, 4012. The KM-1 ejection Seat has 8 NAZ-7 survival kit housed Inthe pilot's head rest. 4ees Pe eh (Below) A Polish MiG-2 IMF Fiahbed J, Red 7910, s being prepared for (Above) This Polish Ar Force MIG-21PFM Fishbed F, Red 4203, caries towing to ts hardstand. Rod protective covers are in place over the anadditionalnationalinsigniaon the fuselage side ard hae K-60 (AAS) Intake, exhaust andauxliaryairintske ontop ofthe gun blast shields on ai-to-alr missile alls on the underwing pylons the fuselage sides. The inboard missilopyions have K-80 (AA-8) misale ‘alls, while the outboard pylons have ras for K-13 (AA-2 AtoH) misss. I (Below) A Polish hir Force MIG-21MF Fishbed J, Red 1311, is pushed (Above) Ths formation of wo Polish Ar Force MIG-21PFMs donot.carry Into @ hangar from the snow covered ramp of a Polish Alr Foree base. the addtional national insignia on the fusolage side. Rea 7903 nas the The cockpit canopy has airoady been coveredand there arecovers for _tipofthe parachute housing In natural etal, while Red 7BiOhasthetip the fuselage on the wing. ‘painted in Dark Green. No:national markings are caried on the upper Wing surfaces.(Above) This East Gorman Air Force MiG-21PFM Fishbed F, Red 492, is ‘inished In the alr superionty Light Gray camouflage. The braking is in White and thero isa White K-13 missle simulator pod on board missle pylon (Above) An East German ground crewman reloads a fresh braking Parachute pack Into the tal housing of a MIG-21MF, using the pllt’s boarding ladder as e work stand. (Below) Student mechanies are conducting maintenance training on {his East German Air Force MiG-21MF Fishbed J at the Untero!- islersschule Herry Kuhn school at ad Duben. This school has no hard ‘surtaced runway and the MIG-21MFs had been trucked to the school. (Below) A pale of East German MIG-21MFs perform a section takeott fromDrewitz AirBase during Septomber ot 1979. oth alrcratarein the alr superiority Light Gray camouflage and carry centerine drop tanks, fand K-18 mistlle simulator pods on the outbeard wing pylons. Those rattare assigned tothe Jagatiog 7, Wiholm Plock,whichs tobe disbanded during late 1988.I sokentetreereerstemntratenree fled 2111 isa Pollsh Air Force MIG-21RF Fishbed H with Radar Warning Feceiver antennas on the wingtips. The reconnaissance camera/Elnt ‘air-to-alr missiles on the inboard pylons for self-defense. od inthe foreground is carried on the centerline of the Fished H in Ground crewman ofthe East German AirForce Jegdtiogargeschwader _P#°® of the normal centerline pylon and drop tank. 8, Hermann Matern based at Morxwalde, overhaul a MiG-21MF Fishbed Young East German soldiers receive Instruction on MIG-21MF main- x, wile other personnel work on a MiG:21UM Mongol 8 (background) _tenanceat the Unterofizersschule Merry Kuhn mechanic wchoolat Bad during earty May of 1987. The engine exhaust cone has been removed Dben during April 1984. The aircraft's actual tactical numbers Red ‘along with other access panels on the tall and nose, 519. The extra 1 had been added for securty reasons. ‘This Polish Air Force MIG-21MF, Red9113,takesotfon anair-to-ground sorte armed with UB-16 rocket pods on the Inboard pylons ond FAB £250 bombs on the outboard pylons. The MIG-2MF is classified as a ‘multtrole fighter capable of alrto-alt and al-to-ground missions. |‘Allah Alr Force MIG-21MF Fishbed J Is readied for a mission. This ‘atural metal Fishbed carries an adlional national insignia on the fuselage. The missle ral tec to the pyions can accommodate elther the K-13anaW'3A (AA-2-2 Advanced Atoll arto-ar missiles or an ECM Jammer pod. {A ground crewman pertorms a pre-flight check on a Czech Al Force ‘WiG.2 1M, Black 1114, while another crewman refuel the Fishbed. The Redpitot tube coverhas not been fully removedand theairintake cover ‘and the ausllary ai intake blowin door cover aro sill on the aircraft. ‘Anunarmed Polish Air Force MIG-21MF Fishbed J, Red 8011, taxes out fora training mission. Alot the MIG-21MF parked inthe background fare fitted with ai intake and auxiliary ar intake blowin door covers. ‘This MIG-21M plots wearing the old style anti-G pressure sult used by Soviet and WARSAW Pact interceptor pilots. Red 1708 carrying three cammaly) onape Muf-21ND ino Mul-21@, V Kppino Muf-21P) Mal-21-93This MIG-21bis Fishbed L/N was one of squadron that sited Rissals, Red 8433, an East German AlrForce MIG-21PF Fishbed Dtaxles out from Finland, between § and 9 August 1974, For tho trip he Fishbeds all its hardstand for @ training mission. The Intake lip has been left In ‘led 130 gallon drop tanks onthe outboard wing pylons. Blue 35's serial natural metal. East German MIG-21s all carry non-tactical numbers. hhumber is 75017394. “This East German MIG-21MF Fishbed Js armed forthe air-to-ground led 07, a Sand and Olive Green camouflaged Soviet Alr Force MIG: role with tour UB-32 rocket pods on the wing pylons. Each podearries 21MF Fishbed J caries three 130 gallon drop tanks, two underwing thirty-two Type §-5 57am unguided hollow charge rockets. land one on the centertine pylon, ‘An unusual formation of aU.S. Air Force A-10 ThunderboltllandF-16A, Fighting Falcon along with an Egyptian Air Force MIG-21 PFM break for ‘This natural metal Hungarian MIG-21bis Fished L/N carries K-60 mis- landing at Cairo West ateld on 1 December 1981, during the joint US/ silerailson the outboard pylonsand K-12A missile rails onthe inboard Egyptian exercise, Bright Star 81, pylons. The tactical number is Rea with a thin White outline. ISBN 0-89747-225-X