The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (Russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-21) (NATO reporting name "Fishbed") is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed and built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek (English: pencil) by Polish pilots due to the shape of its fuselage. Early versions are considered second-generation jet fighters, while later versions are considered to be third-generation jet fighters. Some 50 countries over four continents have flown the MiG-21, and it still serves many nations a half-century after its maiden flight. The fighter made aviation records. At least by name, it is the most produced supersonic jet aircraft in aviation history, the most produced combat aircraft since the Korean War, and it had the longest production run of a combat aircraft (1959 to 1985 over all variants).

The PF version was the production version of the all-weather interceptor. This one differed from the earlier F and F-13 versions which were day-only fighters. These were powered by the R11F2-300 turbojet and, starting with the seventh production batch, fitted with the RP-21 radar (the first six batches used the older TsD-30T radar (aka RP-9-21). Further, the weapons control system was modified from that of the F-13 to allow use of the RS-2US (aka K-5MS) beam-riding AAM in addition to the IR-seeking K-13. This version removed the gun, but it was reinstated in very late production aircraft as a podded weapon.

The kit layout is very much like every 1/72 and 1/48 Eduard MiG-21 I have ever seen or built. Since this is the Profipack version, there is photo etch and a mask set. There are still decals for the instruments if you want or you can paint the raised details. A seat harness decal is also provided, which I appreciate. Some MiG-21s had the bluish-green interior and some were a light grey. Eduard provides both colors in their color photo etch set.

The kit has a separate spine and fin to deal with this variant with all the flight control surfaces separate. You can also install the nicely done landing gear after the airframe is painted if you so desire. All the small fuselage air scoops are separate pieces with engraved outlines showing where they fit. One of the options is the rear speed brake which can be posed raised or lowered. Another option are a pair of RATO units. These are butt joins. Another option is an open or closed canopy and you get separate parts depending on which you use. Despite only having three pylons (one centerline and two wing) you are provided a goodly choice of missiles, tanks, and bombs. A loadout diagram is provided.

The instruction booklet is well done with Gunze and Mission Models paint references. This one provides five markings options. One is the box art special scheme from JG1 in 1990/91. Two Czech options are included. One is overall unpainted metal from 1991. The other is mostly unpainted metal with a special scheme in white, red, and blue along the spine and fin. Another unpainted metal version, but with fairly dense dark green mottles on the upper surfaces operated with the North Vietnamese AF in 1968. Finally, an Egyptian version in sand and stone over light blue from the early 1980s. Not shown is a large stencil sheet in both black and blue. A complete stencil guide is provided. Both the decal sheets are nicely printed and in register.

As you can probably tell, I'm building a collection of Eduard 1/72 MiG-21s. I have only built the 1/48 version but I expect the smaller scale ones to be very similar. I really like that the decals include the sealer that goes around the canopy and windscreen in both yellow and red.

May 2026

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