MiG-21 | The Soviet Fighter that Flew EVERYWHERE!

Military aircraft aim to push the boundaries in one area or another, whether that's speed, maneuverability, advancements in weapons and avionics, or carrying capacity. The race to be at the cutting edge of jet technology can leave many aircraft quickly abandoned, as its contemporaries soon become its successors. For a fighter to withstand the test of time it needs to be reliable, cost effective, easy to fly, and powerful. It needs to be produced in quantities to satisfy all customers, AND it needs to make its mark on the world.

Few aircraft embody these qualities better than the Soviet MiG-21 fighter interceptor, with its more than sixty year service life, operated by some sixty nations throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

In today's video we'll delve into the development history and combat capabilities of this, the most produced supersonic aircraft ever built.

═════════════════════════════════

═════════════════════════════════

◄► Support the channel on Patreon!

═════════════════════════════════

◄► Koala's Channel
◄► Twitter!
◄► Merch!

[ArmorCast]

Hiya lads, so in this video I decided to do things a little different.

It's always been a struggle gathering high quality footage for these types of videos that doesn't result in copyright strikes for the channel. In today's video you'll see the game War Thunder, which contains many variants of the MiG-21, and real life footage only used for necessary demonstrations and segments where it is especially relevant. Koala Explains videos will still rely on real life footage and stills, while the vehicle bio's we'll be doing in future will likely be in this format. Perhaps we'll try out some other games and show THEM in the background too. Keen to try DCS, Project Wingman, perhaps Arma or GHPC, etc.,

Either way, I hope you enjoy

[monolitwoods]

My favorite Fighter Jet, such a cool typical Soviet design. Got models of it, posters, even bought it on DCS, now i know how to cold start one up in less than 10 minutes.

[gopniksaurolophus]

Girlfriend calling me baby: ??
Koala calling me one of his lads: :D

[notinmyairspace]

3:03 You could have also mentioned that on early MiG-21 models, like the F-13, the windshield would protect the pilot from wind if he ejects, as the windshield is attached to the seat when it closes.

[PilotPhotog]

Great video on the world's most produced supersonic fighter!

[akathenightmare]

saw one at an airshow in 2019! damn this thing can climb!

[VikingTeddy]

Informative and entertaining, good stuff.

You mentioned fighter generations, they've always been a bit unclear for me. You could probably make an interesting video on the topic.

[royking]

I love these videos so much. They're so interesting.

[LogieTK]

This channel is a great idea mate, loving it

[MikoyanGurevichMiG]

Thanks for documentary on me, Koala. You did well to research on my illustrious career and life story. I love it.

[dnanayakkara]

Like he said it's very good for third world counties. My country ( Sri Lanka) fought the Sri Lankan civil war using F-7Gs in interceptor and ground attack roles and are still in use on the same roles . They proved to be very effective but lost a few to manpads and some being destroyed while on ground to suicide bombers of the enemy. Still it's a very good fighter.

[rikrayarcade]

I love these I live in Rajasthan, India There is this huge Air force station, called Phalodi Air force station where this beautiful aircrafts take off every day love the beauty of this Machine ❤️

[yecto]

Other fighter:- my plane has jet engines
Mig-21:- my jet engine has plane embedded

[Porcozozzo]

Nice video koala! Complete and accurate

[KernowekTim]

Excellent! You have really done a great job. Thank you.

[michaelbevan]

When Russia got a captured F-5 from the Vietnamese, they stripped it, examined everything in close detail and test flew it against the MiG-21. The result was confirmed: the F-5 was better than the MiG in many respects; cockpit ergonomics, vision from the cockpit, range, payload, fuel economy and most importantly, turn rate. It prompted the development of better fighters and better equipment on the Mig 21.

[silverwing]

4:20 "such as Hungary" *shows a czech Mig-21*

[sokolhoxhaj]

As always a very detailed explanation of every technical aspect of Mig 21 series. A very talented youtuber.

[AaronShenghao]

5:11 Check your source, the Chinese didn’t built it illegally. They spent the money and bought a production license. However, Soviets screwed them over by provided them with outdated previous MiG-21 blueprints (they found out because the dimensions didn’t match the few whole aircraft and kits they got from Soviets).
Of course Soviets won’t give them a "refund or replacement" after Chinese Soviet relationship soured.
To verify the design/reverse engineering the parts, they intercepted MiGs intended for Vietnam… and J-7 was born. A feat for a country have little prior experience of building any fighter jet alone.
Without experience on the J-7, the Chinese wouldn’t able to adapt Su-27 to J-10, J-11 nor build J-20, J-30 mostly on their own.

[hujiaming]

This amazing aircraft really needs a serious remodeling for the 21st century, it is so classic man, too good to be just left in the hanger.