MiG-21MF (1970; Izdeliye 96F; NATO "Fishbed-J")

M = Modernizirovannyy ("Modernised")

F = Forsirovannyy ("Uprated [engine]")

Export version of the MiG-21SM, with RP-22 radar and R13-300 turbojet. The choice of weapons loads was increased with the addition of the R-60 (NATO: AA-8 "Aphid") and later the R-60M IR-seeking AAM. These were also licence-built in India by HAL as the Type 88.

MiG-21MFR (1995)

R = Razuznavatelen ("Reconnaissance")

Bulgarian local designation for MiG-21MF modified to carry recce pods after the retirement of the MiG-21F-13R.

MiG-21MF-75

Unofficial designation used in Bulgaria, East Germany, Romania and Czechoslovakia to refer to MiG-21MF aircraft delivered with cockpit instrumentation identical to that in the MiG-21bis (the "75" refers to "1975", the year in which these entered production.)

MiG-21MFN

Czech Air Force designation for MiG-21MF upgraded with NATO standard avionics.

While there may be some disagreement, the MF variant is probably the most exported version of the MiG-21. While there are -21s still in service with some nations, most have been retired to museums or scrapped.

Here we have another kit from Eduard's Weekend Edition series and it is labeled as a MiG-21MFN. What this means is that it has been outfitted with avionics that are compatible with NATO standards.

The kit has a nicely done cockpit with a nicely done bang seat. All the instrument areas and inside of the cockpit walls are decals and it will be up to the builder to try to match the color. There are a lot of clear canopies provided, but most will not be used. The canopy can be displayed open.

The wheel wells are very nicely detailed and all separate bits that eventually fit into the fuselage halves. There are also a number of bulkheads that go in the fuselage to add stiffness. A well detailed exhaust and burner can are also provided. Eduard recommends nose weight but does not tell us how much. As this cannot be added once the fuselage halves are together, the builder will have to tape together all the major components to get the right amount. In order to be able to produce multiple variants using the same basic fuselage and wings, the upper spine and fin are separate pieces and have their own small bulkheads. In fact, it is this feature that differentiates this MF kit from the later bis version. Eduard have gotten these bits correct. Now they need to do a series of 1/72 kits.

On the wings, the builder will have to assemble the multipiece wing wheel wells. Any pylons will need the holes opened up as well. The kit provides separate forward speed brakes if we want to cut away the ones molded into the bottom of the wing so these can be displayed open. I dare say few modelers will do this. There is a separate rear speed brake assembly for open or closed. Landing gear are properly complex and should look quite good when done. A goodly portion of the sprues are for fuel tanks, pylons and weapons. One will choose what one wants to use fairly late in the build process. Some of these have a multitude of small parts as Russian weapons seem to have a lot of tiny fins. In this boxing, the Instructions will have you use the RS-60 AAMs and not use the centerline fuel tank. However, there is a ton of stuff there for you to use so don't feel constrained.

Instructions are well done and provide the usual construction drawings. This boxing deviates from the usual weekend edition by providing not only two markings options, but a full stencil suite. Indeed, a full page of the instructions is dedicated to the myriad stencils that festoon modern jets. One of the options is for a special markings plane as shown on the box art and a full decal sheet is dedicated to these tiger stripes. The other is a standard line bird. Another addition to this kit is Eduard's 3D decal seat harness. This is a neat idea and while I've not used these, they should be very nice. Yet another interesting changes is that the instrument decals do not have a color backing. Apparently Eduard has had comments from builders on the difficulty of matching their cockpit blue-green.