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Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 facts for kids

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1 Pucki Dywizjon Lotniczy MiG-21 bis
A MiG-21 from the Polish Air Force.

The MiG-21 Fishbed is a famous supersonic jet fighter airplane. It was designed by the Mikoyan company in the Soviet Union. This amazing aircraft first flew way back in 1956. It has a special triangle-shaped wing, which helps it fly very fast. Over 30 countries around the world have used or still use the MiG-21. More than 10,000 of these jets were built, making it the most produced supersonic fighter jet ever! It was used in big conflicts like the Vietnam War and is still flying in some air forces today.

What is the MiG-21 Fishbed?

The MiG-21 is a type of fighter jet. Fighter jets are fast airplanes used by air forces to protect their country's skies or to attack targets. The "MiG" part of its name comes from the design bureau, Mikoyan-Gurevich. The "Fishbed" is its NATO reporting name, which is a code name given by Western countries.

Key Features of the MiG-21

The MiG-21 was designed to be a fast and agile fighter.

  • Supersonic Speed: It can fly faster than the speed of sound. This means it can travel incredibly quickly, making it hard for enemies to catch.
  • Delta Wing: Its unique triangle-shaped wing is called a "delta wing." This design helps the plane fly efficiently at high speeds.
  • Simple and Strong: The MiG-21 was built to be tough and easy to maintain. This made it popular with many countries.

Where the MiG-21 Flew in Action

The MiG-21 has been part of many important events in history.

  • Vietnam War: It played a big role in the Vietnam War during the 1960s and 1970s. Pilots from the Vietnam People's Air Force flew MiG-21s against American aircraft.
  • Global Use: Because it was affordable and effective, many countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe bought and used the MiG-21. It has been involved in conflicts all over the world.
  • Still Flying: Even though it's an older design, some countries have upgraded their MiG-21s. This allows them to keep flying and serving their air forces even today.

Images for kids

  • Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis, Hungary - Air Force AN0740836

    Hungarian Air Force MiG-21bis on takeoff.

  • MiG-21 on display on top of Verkkokauppa in Helsinki

    Retired Finnish MiG-21bis on top of Verkkokauppa store in Helsinki (Tyynenmerenkatu 11).

  • MiG-21 BIS on display in Helsinki

    MiG-21bis rear.

  • Close up of the landing gear bay (MiG-21 BIS).jpg

    Close-up of the landing gear bay.

  • Mig-21

    MiG-21 at Aleksotas Airport (S. Dariaus / S. Gireno), Kaunas (EYKS).

  • MiG-21M Preschen (22951457305)

    MiG-21М National People's Army of the GDR, August 1990.

  • Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PFM, Russia - Air Force AN1343184

    A pole mounted MiG-21.

  • MiG-21F-13 Fishbed C

    Czechoslovak MiG-21F-13 "Fishbed C".

  • MiG-21 cockpit

    Older MiG-21 cockpit.

  • Cockpit MiG 21 F 13

    MiG-21F-13 cockpit at the Aviation Museum in Bucharest, Romania.

  • Back of a MiG-21

    MiG-21F-13 rear view.

  • Sheeju mig21

    MiG-21 Bison of the Indian Air Force.

  • MiG-21F-13-Fishbed-C

    Indonesian Air Force MiG-21 in the Yogyakarta Air Force Museum.

  • Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21PF USAF

    MiG-21F-13 in Vietnam People's Air Force markings exhibited at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Ohio.

  • VPAF MiG-21 landing with chute

    A missile-armed VPAF MiG-21PF landing.

  • Vietnam People's Air Force MIG-21 (4324)

    Vietnam People's Air Force MiG-21 number 4324, flown by various pilots, was credited with 14 kills during the Vietnam War.

  • BAM-19a-MiG 21 F-13

    Yugoslav air force MiG-21F-13.

  • MiG-21 Lancer C firing rockets

    A Romanian Air Force MiG-21 LanceR C during a training exercise.

  • Bulgarian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis Lofting-4

    Bulgarian Air Force MiG-21bis.

  • Bulgarian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis Lofting-1

    MiG-21bis Bulgarian Air Force.

  • MiG-21 in US service

    U.S. Air Force MiG-21 with American markings used for training of American pilots in flight.

  • MiG 21 operators

    Current MiG-21 operators in blue, former operators in red, operators of captured aircraft in green.

  • MiG-21UM 16178 Serbian Air Force

    Serbian Air Force MiG-21UM.

  • Croatian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21UMD Lofting-1

    Croatian Air Force MiG-21UMD in unique promotional paint scheme.

  • Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis Fishbed L, Croatia - Air Force JP6757753

    Croatian MiG-21bis 1996.

  • MiG-21PFM-Egypt-1982

    Egyptian MiG-21PFM in 1982.

  • MiG-21 Bulgarian Air Force

    A Bulgarian MiG-21 taxis at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria during a bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Bulgarian Air Force.

  • Bulgarian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21bis Lofting-6

    Bulgarian Air Force MiG-21UB.

  • Czechoslovak Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21R Lofting-5

    Czechoslovak Air Force MiG-21R.

  • MiG-21.UM.9292.Radom.AirShow.2002

    Two-seat Polish Air Force MiG-21UM with 3rd Tactical Squadron markings.

  • Bangladesh-Air-Force Mig-21UM

    Bangladesh Air Force two-seat MiG-21UM in BAF Museum. The aircraft was gifted by the Soviet Union in 1972.

  • Derelict Malagasy MIG 21's (32606236945)

    Derelict Malagasy MiG-21UMs.

  • ArmedForcesAcademy11Slovakia13

    Slovak Air Force MiG-21MA on display in Liptovský Mikuláš, 2011.

  • Mikoyan MiG-21 Fishbed Schematics

    drawing of MiG-21.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 para niños

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