Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>MIG-21>HA0128

General Background

The Mikoyan-Gurevich Mig-21 is probably the world most widely used supersonic fighter. It was used by over 30 countries and 56 air forces. An estimation of over 10,000 units was produced for the Soviet Union alone.

The MIG-21 has a top speed of Mach 2 and it is famed for its ease of maintenance and effectiveness during air combats. It first achieved renown in the Vietnam War where it posed itself a challenging adversary for some more technological advanced aircrafts like the F-105 and F-4 Phantom. The Mig-21 is certainly one of the most famous aircrafts in the world for all times.

The Aircraft

The J-7 C/D, based on the MIG-21 MF, was developed at the time when the Sino-Soviet relations deteriorated. When the Soviet no longer provided technical assistance to China, China received the MIG-21 MF from Egypt. In return China sent a Romeo Class SSK submarine to. Externally the J-7D was almost identical to MIG-21 MF but had some improved avionics and weapons controls. This J-7D originally was an operational night fighter under the Beijing MR (Military Region) at Huairen Air Field.

Specifications :

Power Plant:	One 41.55kN (9,340lb st) or 64.73kN (14,550lb st) with afterburner Tumansky R-13-300 turbojet
Wingspan:	7.15m (23ft 5 1/2in)
Length:	15.76m (51ft 8 1/2in) - incl pitot boom
Max T-O weight:	9,400kg (20,725lb)
Max speed:	Mach 2.1 (2,230km/h - 1,385mph) above 11,000m (36,000ft)
	Mach 1.06 (1,300km/h - 807mph) at low level
Range:	1,100km (683 miles) - internal fuel only
	1,800km (1,118 miles) - with three external drop tanks, one under fuselage, one under each wing
Armament:	One 23mm twin-barrel GSh-23 cannon with 200 rounds in belly pack
	Various air-to-air and air-to-ground stores carried on four under wing pylons including:
	K-13A "Atoll" or "Advanced Atoll" a-a missiles,
	UV-16-57 rocket packs,
	S-24 a-s rockets,
	250kg and 500kg bombs
	Sidewinder missiles