War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

MiG-21MF (Italy)

2024-08-30T05:23:23Z

U127236691: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = fighter aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig-21_mf_hungary
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

Similar to the stories of the "[[F-104G (Germany)|Widowmaker]]" in the West due to its high accident rate, the Eastern Bloc had its own equivalent. The MiG-21 in Hungarian service was one of the most deadly aircraft to its own pilots ever in Hungarian history. Hungary received hundreds of MiG-21s throughout the years, which ended up in 72 total airframe losses and 32 pilot fatalities due to accidents resulting from various problems. Faulty engines in Hungarian MiG-21 batches, improper training, and lack of maintenance on the older models, all resulted in the infamous reputation of the MiG-21 as a widowmaker in the Hungarian Air Force. One of these widowmakers was the MiG-21MF variant, of which Hungary acquired 50 between 1971 and 1974 before being supplemented by the more advanced [[MiG-21bis-SAU (Italy)|MiG-21bis]] just three years later. The MiG-21s saw very long service with Hungary even after the fall of the USSR, with the last MiG-21MFs being retired in 1996.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (NATO Code: Fishbed-J) was introduced in [[Update "Alpha Strike"]] in the Hungarian sub-tree of the Italian tech tree. Like the other third-generation MiG-21 airframes, this one features a built-in [[GSh-23-2 (23 mm)|GSh-23]] cannon under the fuselage instead of an external Gsh-23L gunpod, meaning it does not have to sacrifice the cannon to take the SPS-141 countermeasures pod. In addition to that improvement, the MiG-21MF has a potent arsenal of weaponry for its battle rating, namely the [[R-60]] air-to-air missile. Combined with its incredible high speed manoeuvrability and overall gameplay loop, the MiG-21MF is a very potent fighter aircraft for its tier. Do be wary, however, that while the MiG-21MF is indeed lighter than its Soviet counterpart, the [[MiG-21SMT]], the SMT has a far better engine, which allows it to win longer dogfights easier assuming both planes start on equal footing. All in all, the MiG-21MF provides acceptable air support and welcomed choice variety to the pilots of the Italian tech tree around this battle rating.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at _,___ m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| ___ || ___ || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | ___
|-
! Upgraded
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| _ || _ || _ || _ || _ || _ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || ___ || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | _____ || _
| colspan="2" | _,___ kg || colspan="2" | ___ kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel
|-
| ___ kg || colspan="2" | ___
| _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (___%/WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || ___%/WEP
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || ___ kgf || ___ kgf
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
| ''Optimal'' || ___ kgf (_ km/h) || ___ kgf (_ km/h)
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! EEGS
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (200 rpg)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="9%" | 1 !! width="9%" | 2 !! width="9%" | 3 !! width="9%" | 4 !! width="9%" | 5
| rowspan="9" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_MiG-21bis.png]]</div>
|-
! [[OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250sv]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[S-5K]] rockets
| 16 || 16, 32 || || 16, 32 || 16
|-
! [[S-24]] rockets
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-3R]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-3S]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-60]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! Countermeasures
| || || 64 || ||
|-
! 490 l drop tanks
| 1 || || 1 || || 1
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 3 x 490 l drop tanks
* 2 x 490 l drop tanks + 64 x countermeasures + 2 x R-3S missiles
* 2 x 490 l drop tanks + 64 x countermeasures + 2 x R-3R missiles
* 4 x R-3S missiles
* 4 x R-3R missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles
* 4 x S-24 rockets
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 64 x countermeasures
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===

''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''

'''Pros:'''

* Great acceleration and top speed.
* Extremely manoeuvrable.
* 4x R60 Missiles are extremely effective at this BR, 30G max overload and adequate IR tracking.
* Decent ground attack options.
* Decent cannon.

*

'''Cons:'''

* Low ammo-load for cannon.
* R60 prone to chasing flares.

*

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig-21_mf_hungary Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[MiG-21 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8767-development-the-hungarian-aircraft-line-is-coming-to-the-italian-tree-en|[Devblog] The Hungarian Aircraft Line is Coming to the Italian Tree!]]

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{Italy jet aircraft}}

MiG-21MF (Italy)

2024-08-30T04:09:56Z

U127236691: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = fighter aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = MiG-21 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=mig-21_mf_hungary
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

Similar to the stories of the "[[F-104G (Germany)|Widowmaker]]" in the West due to its high accident rate, the Eastern Bloc had its own equivalent. The MiG-21 in Hungarian service was one of the most deadly aircraft to its own pilots ever in Hungarian history. Hungary received hundreds of MiG-21s throughout the years, which ended up in 72 total airframe losses and 32 pilot fatalities due to accidents resulting from various problems. Faulty engines in Hungarian MiG-21 batches, improper training, and lack of maintenance on the older models, all resulted in the infamous reputation of the MiG-21 as a widowmaker in the Hungarian Air Force. One of these widowmakers was the MiG-21MF variant, of which Hungary acquired 50 between 1971 and 1974 before being supplemented by the more advanced [[MiG-21bis-SAU (Italy)|MiG-21bis]] just three years later. The MiG-21s saw very long service with Hungary even after the fall of the USSR, with the last MiG-21MFs being retired in 1996.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (NATO Code: Fishbed-J) was introduced in [[Update "Alpha Strike"]] in the Hungarian sub-tree of the Italian tech tree. Like the other third-generation MiG-21 airframes, this one features a built-in [[GSh-23-2 (23 mm)|GSh-23]] cannon under the fuselage instead of an external Gsh-23L gunpod, meaning it does not have to sacrifice the cannon to take the SPS-141 countermeasures pod. In addition to that improvement, the MiG-21MF has a potent arsenal of weaponry for its battle rating, namely the [[R-60]] air-to-air missile. Combined with its incredible high speed manoeuvrability and overall gameplay loop, the MiG-21MF is a very potent fighter aircraft for its tier. Do be wary, however, that while the MiG-21MF is indeed lighter than its Soviet counterpart, the [[MiG-21SMT]], the SMT has a far better engine, which allows it to win longer dogfights easier assuming both planes start on equal footing. All in all, the MiG-21MF provides acceptable air support and welcomed choice variety to the pilots of the Italian tech tree around this battle rating.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at _,___ m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| ___ || ___ || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | ___
|-
! Upgraded
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| _ || _ || _ || _ || _ || _ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || ___ || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || -
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | _____ || _
| colspan="2" | _,___ kg || colspan="2" | ___ kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel
|-
| ___ kg || colspan="2" | ___
| _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (___%/WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || ___%/WEP
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || ___ kgf || ___ kgf
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
| ''Optimal'' || ___ kgf (_ km/h) || ___ kgf (_ km/h)
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs) !! EEGS
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|GSh-23L (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 23 mm GSh-23L cannon, belly-mounted (200 rpg)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="9%" | 1 !! width="9%" | 2 !! width="9%" | 3 !! width="9%" | 4 !! width="9%" | 5
| rowspan="9" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_MiG-21bis.png]]</div>
|-
! [[OFAB-250sv (250 kg)|250 kg OFAB-250sv]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[S-5K]] rockets
| 16 || 16, 32 || || 16, 32 || 16
|-
! [[S-24]] rockets
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-3R]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-3S]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[R-60]] missiles
| 1 || 1 || || 1 || 1
|-
! Countermeasures
| || || 64 || ||
|-
! 490 l drop tanks
| 1 || || 1 || || 1
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* 3 x 490 l drop tanks
* 2 x 490 l drop tanks + 64 x countermeasures + 2 x R-3S missiles
* 2 x 490 l drop tanks + 64 x countermeasures + 2 x R-3R missiles
* 4 x R-3S missiles
* 4 x R-3R missiles
* 4 x R-60 missiles
* 4 x S-24 rockets
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 64 x S-5K rockets
* 4 x 250 kg OFAB-250sv bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 64 x countermeasures
{{Navigation-End}}

== Usage in battles ==

''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===

''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''

'''Pros:'''

* Great acceleration and top speed.
* Extremely manoeuvrable.
* 4x R60 Missiles are extremely effective at this BR, 30G max overload and adequate IR tracking.
* Decent ground attack options.

*

'''Cons:'''

*

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=mig-21_mf_hungary Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[MiG-21 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8767-development-the-hungarian-aircraft-line-is-coming-to-the-italian-tree-en|[Devblog] The Hungarian Aircraft Line is Coming to the Italian Tree!]]

{{AirManufacturer MiG}}
{{Italy jet aircraft}}