Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21MF

My attempt at creating a replica of a typical Egyptian Air Force MiG. Not very mobile-friendly I’m afraid, but it kinda looks the way I want it to.

Let’s not say too much about the MiG-21 itself… too well-known already, there’s precious little to add about the plane’s origins.

The MF was part of the third generation of MiG-21’s, basically an export version of the MiG-21SM, with RP-22 radar and R13-300 turbojet. The choice of weapons loads was also increased, allowing the new model to carry Russia’s latest offering in missiles and bombs.

Egypt received some 110 planes of this model, after having lost a staggering 225 out of the 235 MiG-21’s of their original fleet in the Six-Day-war (june 1967). Since the Libyan-Egyptian border conflict of 1977, many of these MiG’s were given bright orange markings to be more recognizable. After all, if you’re fighting an air force operating the same aircraft type, painted in almost the same colors, it’s easy to make (costly) mistakes.

Armament

Nothing too fancy here. The MF is equipped with a double-barrel GSh-23 autocannon, mounted in a centerline pod. I have given it 4 underwing hardpoints, with a total of four R60 (AA-8 "Aphid") short-range IR homers, and two K-55 (AA-1 "Alkali") missiles. The plane would be no fun if there’s nothing to shoot with, right?

Controls

Simple and straightforward;

• AG1 : air brakes
• AG2 : drop fuel tank
• AG3 : brake chute
• AG8 : toggle lights

The external PTB-490 fuel tank doesn’t help the plane’s looks, but it’s no luxury; without it, the range is terrible. Keep in mind that the rear air brake is locked when this fuel tank is mounted; it will operate only after the tank has been dropped.

There are no other special controls to consider; nosewheel steering locks/unlocks automatically (speed-related), afterburner kicks in at 95% throttle.

Thanks all, for getting me to 50k points!!