During the late 1950s, the emphasis on fighter aircraft was on interceptors. These were the planes designed to quickly reach the altitude of enemy bombers and shoot them down. In the US it developed into the F-101B, F-102 and F-106. To some extent it also played into the development of the F-4 Phantom II. For the Soviet Union, it produced the MiG-21.

Here was a lightweight fighter that sacrificed range and payload to ensure the best performance that could be pulled out of an airframe at the time. Several different designs were conceived and two were built; one with highly swept back wings like the MiG-19 and the other with a delta wing, though retaining standard tailplanes. As we know it was the latter, slightly modified that was chosen. Thus began an airframe development that lasted for a decade of new and improved variants from the MiG-21F-13 of 1961 until the MiG-21bis of 1972. Of course, those are just service entry dates as the MiG-21 was continuously built in its different variants not only in the Soviet Union but also in other nations from 1961 until the last Chinese built J-7 rolled off the production line in 2008. A longevity matched by few other military aircraft.

Like the previous MiG-15 and MiG-17, the MiG-21 was exported to a variety of nations, all of whom were either directly in the sphere of influence of the Soviet Union or friendly to the USSR. Probably one of the largest users of the MiG-21 in combat was the Egyptian Air Force, though like many MiG-21 operators, the aircraft was not used to the best of its abilities and ended up being on the receiving end of enemy guns and missiles more often than the other way around.

Interestingly, it was discovered by the USAF's Red Eagle squadron that used ex-Indonesial AF MiG-21 F-13 for aggressor training, that the MiG-21 was very much a superb dog-fighter and was quite capable of outfighting the aircraft of the time if properly flown. However, it was hampered by the need to limit its maneuverability thanks to the missile system that it used, which was quite unable to operate properly at high g loads. Not only that, but the missiles would often lose lock-on when the target pulled high-g maneuvers.

Due to its widespread use, it participated in several wars including multiple Middle East conflicts as well as Indo-Pakistani wars and the US war in Vietnam. It also saw combat during the wars of the break-up of Yugoslavia and during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. Often times it was used as a fighter bomber, and while its payload was not the greatest, it was effective in this role. Even today, dozens of nations are using the MiG-21 or one of its Chinese built derivatives.

This book looks into the background and the development of the MiG-21 as well as the aircraft that came before it and after it. All of the different variants are covered as well as an in-depth look at one of the more produced versions, the MiG-21PF. In addition to the difference between variants, foreign production is covered as is its use in various conflicts. Several pages of full color art work and profiles are included as well as the usual large cutaway on the back two pages. A great read and highly recommended.

July 2014

For more on the complete line of Osprey books, visit www.ospreypublishing.com. In the US, it is Osprey Direct at 44-02 23rd St, Suite 219, Long Island City, NY 11101., where you can get a catalogue of available books.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note to Contributors.