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.
═════════════════════════════════
This video uses footage from the online military action game War Thunder, download and play for free here: warthunder.com/en/registration...
═════════════════════════════════
◄► Support the channel on Patreon!
/ armorcast
═════════════════════════════════
◄► Koala's Channel
/ thescottishkoala
◄► Twitter!
/ sc0ttishkoala
◄► Merch!
teespring.com/stores/thearmory
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
love da vid make more like this one :))))
I think this format works. The graphics of games such as War Thunder are good enough to serve as “background” footage for the provided narrative history in many cases.
HOLY FUCK dude, i didnt even realise, YOURE SCOTTISHKOALA
If you can choose between DCS or War Thunder, DCS is always the better choice for serious vids!
I liturally have one of these parked on a MOD Quartermaster's factoy entrance outside my house
Girlfriend calling me baby: ?? Koala calling me one of his lads: :D
Both is good
Girlfriend : ??
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.
Do you collect die casts or plastic kits? I've made a few of them myself.
@@tri3852 Mainly make them myself, there is something about building it and such that feels neat
And i believe some air forces still fly this thing, good ol reliable
@@typie34 According to wiki, Its still used by Angola, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Cuba, Egypt, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Libya, Mali, Mozambique, North Korea, Romania, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, Yemen & Zambia.
Have a look on MIG 21 design in mecha anime
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.
Damn! Wish I'd remembered to include that now XD
Wow that's sweet ass sweet! I never knew that👍👍👍
saw one at an airshow in 2019! damn this thing can climb!
That's actually one of the best thing it was best in
Great video on the world's most produced supersonic fighter!
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.
Now that sounds like an idea!
@@ArmorCast i am also confused about the talk in the news about a "fifth-generation-minus" unstealthy fighter when we have the f16.
@@JinKeeImagine an F22 without the stealth paint, or really any supermanuverable jet without stealth
I love these aircraft...... 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 ❤️
We respect these jets, they've done a lot for the IAF. MiG 21 itself has around 45 different versions and IAF would have used atleast 7-9 different types of MiG 21,s. All versions of MiG 21 with IAF have been retired except the MiG 21 Bison which were the heavily upgraded version of the MiG 21 BIS during 1995 to around 2003. But it's now time. Time to let this fighter jet Rest In Peace. It's done more than required. It's old and wearing and it literally needs a retired life.
Tea is fantastic
@@anonymous-bd4nk yes pls ask some of those 93k soldiers our tea would indeed would have been fantastic. By the way Tea and Champions Trophy. Is your country so bankrupt that you'll don't have anything else to say but repeat this broken record...... Pity your Katora Khan.
@@anonymous-bd4nk You need some cofee bro 😂
@@anonymous-bd4nk Yes, US navy seals drank tea in the midnight at abbottabad, pakistan.
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.
It really isnt. Its a porpouse designed point defence fighter, with no multi mission capability, no night flight ability, short range, and a bad radar. F16s or gripens are much better as the core of a small airforce.
@@egoalter1276 You're comparing 4th gen multirole fighters with a 3rd gen fighter/interceptor. Compare it to the F-4, and you'd see how good it actually is. The only reason the F-4 performed so much better is because of superior tactics, numbers and training of the USAF. Look towards India. The MiG-21s dominated the skies over Pakistan and Bangladesh, with a great combat record in the 1971 War. During the 90s, they upgraded their older 3rd gen MiG-21bis to 4th gen MiG-21Bison standards. It got a 4:1 ratio against F-16s in simulations, it took out multiple F-15s with the help of the Su-30MKI's Bars radar connected via datalink during friendly exercises with the USAF, and even has a probable real world F-16 kill. The Indian Bisons are comparable to the F-16s, not the old MiG-21s you're talking about.
I love these videos so much. They're so interesting.
Other fighter:- my plane has jet engines Mig-21:- my jet engine has plane embedded
Thanks for documentary on me, Koala. You did well to research on my illustrious career and life story. I love it.
Rip my friend you'll forever be remembered
The Indian MiG-21 Bison shot down a PAF F-16B (Block-52) which is old and was used by US in 1980s. US and Taiwan currently uses Block-72 versions of F-16s
This channel is a great idea mate, loving it
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.
China is still building these as the J-9
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.
Just like how US made the F15 after they made a Soviet pilot steal a Mig 25 and defect into Japan.
Russia had access to a lot of US kit after Vietnam. The North Vietnamese captured 877 RVNAF aircraft and helicopters including 73 F-5s, 113 A-37s, 36 A-1s, 40 C-119s, 36 AC-47s, 430 UH-1s and 36 CH-47s,
Это бред, что Ф 5 был лучше по всем показателям, это просто смешно 😂😂
Such a great video, well done!
Excellent! You have really done a great job. Thank you.
As always a very detailed explanation of every technical aspect of Mig 21 series. A very talented youtuber.
4:20 "such as Hungary" *shows a czech Mig-21*
Beautiful jet. I wish I could fly one over a city or through the Grand Canyon. For those interested in such things these are my 3 favorite aviation art books: - Aviation Art of Lou Drendel by Lou Drendel - Grumman F-14 Tomcat by Dave Parsons - Great Fighter Jets of the Galaxy by Tim Gibson
An awful lot of Forțele Ariene Române (RoAF/Romanian Air Force) footage! Love the blue-bellied beasts!
Love the videos!
Gorky became not Nizhniy, but Nizhniy Novgorod. Living here, loving the city.
Nice video koala! Complete and accurate
came for the history lesson, now watching for the gameplay
Warthunder for the win
Learning while Enjoying.
Nice and thorough. Well done.
Incredible video, really interesting
Cheers lad, plenty more where that came from!
I recommend flying this in DCS. It is hands down my favourite cold war fighter.
The MiG-21PFM could also fit R-55 air-to-air missiles in radar or thermal seeker variants.
Indian Airforce MiG-21 are fitted with R 70 BVR missiles.
@@bjsir *r77
never have I seen a face match a voice so perfectly
Nice history of the variants.
The Mig-21 is one of the Greatest Combat Aircrafts ever made..ttimeless.itimeless.Skynet will take hold of it.
china is uses its old fighters as drones now, so you are not far from the truth
It's main contribution has been to be shot down by NATO craft lol.
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.
Great plane,Great video!!!
In 1962 , The Indonesian Air Force purchased 22 MiG-21s , 20 MiG-21F-13s and 15 MiG-21Us were received from Soviet Union during Operation Trikora in the Western New Guinea conflict. The biggest MIG 21 squadron in Asia at that time
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didnt the chinese j-7 outnumbered the indonesians
India built more than 700 licensed mig 21 s since 1960s
Could we eventually get a video on the F-5 Tiger and it’s Variants including the F-20? I absolutely love the plane so it would be cool to see it getting some more attention.
I really do like the Tiger, so it's definitely on the list. Might not be for a little while, but I'll get to it, for sure :D
@@ArmorCast Sweet
Excellent research.
Very good information, I thank you.
I saw two of those Czech Mig-21s fly over the motor pools of Third Brigade 1st AD taking pictures one November morning in 1979.
I very much doubt our 21s were flying that deep over west Germany without causing an international incident.
Koty I ran to the HQ to get the keys to my battalions' motor pool because we were ALL scrambling thinking WW3 was starting, the clerk had just gotten off the phone with SHAEF who said to stand down. We looked at each other and said it was just "one of those things". But if any present ADA troopers have something to say about the incident I'd like to hear it, because they had to fly straight over the Hawk battery set up at Turtle Rock in Graf. They did a U-turn over the whole base at Bamberg at about 800 ft with navigation lights on, brilliant red stars, three-tone camo and bare (thankfully) white bellies. The Czechs had a reputation of being aggressive, for instance jamming our routine radio channels like for motor pool guard duty with amped taxi-cab conversations from Prague.
@@arkboy3 It really sounds like fairy tale. Tell me more about Czechoslovak migs with red stars. Not to mention taking photos with bare bellies (they required massive recon pods). I am not trying to make fun of you or your experience, but it just does not fit. But hey, if there is a way to explain this I'd also like to hear it.
@@19Koty96 Ooooo! Ok, maybe they were NOT taking pics, maybe they were lost during training, which is what the Reds would have said if they had been engaged, but there were two Warsaw Pact Mig-21s, with BIG red stars on them and the Czechs were the only ones anywhere near....It was NOT the first time and it was NOT the last either.
@@arkboy3 your BIG red stars were used only by the Soviets. You know, different countries have their own insignia. I also couldn't find anything about migs over west germany in 1979, letalone northern Bavaria.
MiG/10 video. 👍
Liked and subbed!!! I didn't realize that you were also the Scottish Koala. (Ya Wee Bastard!!!!)
I loved this type of "documentary" with a gameplay of war thunder running on the screen XD if you can continue doing this in videos talking about planes, this would be good
So glad you enjoyed. The plan is to feature a multitude of different games that feature the vehicles in question - everything from DCS to World of Tanks, and in our most recent bio on the F-14, we featured Project Wingman
The Romanian LanceR is kind hilarious in a way, imagine a Mig 21 with Litening III recon pods, Helmet Mounted Sights, modern Israeli IR missiles and even modern guided munition (and possibly also having integrated Mavericks, though i'm not sure about that one). Unfortunately, time waits for no one and nothing, and the venerable Mig 21 was retired from the Romanian Air Force in May 2023.
Finally 🙏
16:55 How do you change the zoom level?
Hey koala do you think you could ever do a video on the companies that make these amazing aircraft, like MiG or Lockheed Martin.
Very beautiful fighter
The only other aircraft with such a legacy is probably the F-16
World 's best war machine after AK-47 is Mig-21 bison. I love this, from the Sabre killer to F-16 killer.....hope one day it will defeat J-17, F-22 Raptor, Su-35
Isko 2050 tak operational rakhna chahte ho kya 🙄
Nope, it can’t defeat f 22 and su 35, it can only 3rd and 4th generation fighter jets not 4.5th generation fighter jets
Don’t worry, if US gives Pakistan F-22, it will happen soon.
This guy is high on cheap drugs 🤣 Bro chill out with the fake news
I'd still buy a Mig-21 if I saw one going cheap.
i didnt have a very high opinion on this aircraft, it kind of looked old and weird compared to what i would expect a fighter jet to look like. however i have found myself growing to like this plane. its a battle tested workhorse, no nonsense, but still capable fighter that can do almost anything. i can see why its so popular. just like the t55, the hind, and the ak47, itll get any job done for any price. very respectable.
MIG 21 Bison still in action.
I hope it is at least a refurbished re-upload. And with your talent you could make tons of views by doing whole Soviet Aircraft History! You know Wings of Red Star 2021.
I have liked your other Kola Explains videos, but unfortunately this one comes accross as a lengthy ad for War Thunder masquerading as a documentry. I get the copyright problems but I would prefer you did some still photos of the relevant variants of the Mig21 as you go through them, with perhaps a little War Thunder mixed in.
Thing is, the majority of background footage in such videos is just to fill up space. Using still images would work if I could get enough of them to not just be repeating the same ten pictures over and over for twenty minutes, but at the same time I've always found videos that do that to be kinda boring. A good listen perhaps, but not really worth paying full attention to. On the flipside, having video game footage in the relevant vehicles gives something interesting for the eye, while at the same time filling in the dead space AND potentially opening up sponsorship opportunities from games in the future, which would be super helpful in letting me make more of these. I'll be keeping the Koala Explains videos to IRL footage, as well as two other series I'm going to start up on this channel in the coming months, which will also rely on IRL footage as much as possible
I will sleep earlier. Koala - Hold my Docuseries
Simple and furious aircraft Remember in the latest combat between india and pakistan, ind might 21 shot a pak f16....what a nightmare....
he highlighted that in this video in 12:15 and outside India no one believes that.
@@sunnyteron8837 indian air force release some evidence for that, even today america didn't refuse or reply to that statement....Have you seen that evidence proof ? 1. Aim amram serial no ! 2. Radar signature image of 16 3. Many more....
@@arrvinds2615 AIM AmRam is a missile that was launched to hit the mig which was a success. and yes that was launched from Pak F-16. but honestly there is no proof to show to the world that avinandan got a F-16 kill.
@@sunnyteron8837 I know Amram is a missile but pakistan denies that they didnt use f16 on that day...pak stories says that they used if 17 how does jf17 use american missile , it cant be used in cheap jf17 bro, What you said no proof that's funny iaf released f16 radar signature proof ! If you dont believe proof than fairytale it's your wish bro. Just go and believe ur pakistan fairytale stories than real history.
@@arrvinds2615 man to believe or not to believe ,, you were not there neither was i.. there is no f16 debris.. the world has seen a mig debris with pilot who was sipping tea in the enemy territory. it maybe a honour for abhinandan.. but a shame as a Indian.. i don't know how you feel proud that a pilot got captured and was released at a mercy of a enemy. it's just a shame for the IAF. on the other end the claim of su30 mki was hit, was a big lie. the debris that the PAF shows is of mig21.
One of my favorite fighters of all time. I'm a Yank and I love American fighters. Some of my absolute favorites are the F-8 Crusader, F-104 Starfighter, the F-106 Delta Dart interceptor and of course the F-16. But the Ruskis had some really great ones too. The MiG-29 and ESPECIALLY the MiG-21 are my top picks. In fact, the only drawback I see with the MiG-21 is the poor rear visibility due to the cockpit design. But, even with that, this is one of the greatest fighters of all time in my opinion.
Well done well done
I'm from libya, in 2008/2009 there was an aircrafts show or what ever you call it, there was one mig 21 on ground and people where able to sit in it and take pictures, any way when i set in it my father notes an some sort of liquid leak (he is an engineer) he talked to the person in charge and person didn't gave a dame later in the same day the aircraft has fallen and the pilot died
Mig 21 is the Ak47 of fighter jets
Watching this after the release of the checkmate hoping this new airframe will be a modern MIG-21 adventure and stabilize the worlds tactical needs away from diversifying into large scale drone purchases
Inhales... "Ready tO RuLe tHe SkiEs!"
Lmao the overshot ar 2:55 got me
Su-30mki is awesome
There are 2 Mig-21s five minutes walk from where I live. They were made into monuments and are on giant display stands.
suited up koala? looks smooth!
My favorite
the design is simply a rocket plane.
If you want to get your hands on a mig-21, I think the Kenyan airforce is still selling their fleet. Sadly you will have to buy the whole fleet of around 10 aircraft
You should talk to the Indian Air Force. They can easily sell you a Mig21 Bison. They are already planning to decommission all of them till 2026.
Great and lagend jet in history 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳🙏🙏🙏🙏
please make video on HAL Tejas
The best Fighter Jet ever! Russian military technology.
Is this a re-upload of the video on your channel?
We’re migrating all the OLD Koala Explains videos over here from the old channel, in amongst the completely new content. To start with, you’ll see a lot of videos you recognise, such as the T-90’s red eyes, or this one, but there’s also some brand new stuff going to be filtered in among them
@@ArmorCast OK, thanks you very much, that is indeed what I thought (there is also the bore evacuator video already here if I'm correct ). Again thanks for your indepth content, always clear and interesting! Have a wonderful day
It do be looking cool tho
IAF acquired the MIG-21 multi role fighter interceptor & built (1976 - 1996) over 216 MIG-21 Bison multi role fighter interceptor locally in India by HAL under license from Russia's Mikoyan Gurevich!!! several MIG-21 Bis squadrons in the IAF has been by retired IAF & will be completely out of service by 2026 (or so we've heard)!!! yes, MIG-21 jets has turned out to be very unreliable over the years primarily due to unavailability of original parts!!! forcing certain operators to salvage older MIG-21s in their fleet!!!
Wasn't there a military exercise in like 2009 or something where the US did some war games with the Indian air force and the more advanced Indian planes would spam the American F-15s and then the Bisons would fly in out of nowhere and "shoot down" the US planes?
Red flag 2009 that's what India claim you can watch the USAF briefing on it it's interesting not sure if they took the Mig 21 Bis, the SU30 MKI was there I think the mig 21 thing was when the US went to India.
The mig 21 is the ak47 of fighter jets
Im pretty sure the US government did not confirm the report, the only report was from a think tank that said all pakistani f16s were in operation and none were shot, however the White House distanced itself from the report saying something to the line of it having no credibility. On the other side the use of f16 was confirmed by electronic emmisions and the Amraam that was recovered, and Amraams are only used by F16s in pakistan, not being biased but most reports would suggest the use of f16s and hence some credibility to it being shot down. There is the case of tail numbers and the missing pilots as well. Just letting you know
Thanks man. This was a much needed clarification. 😊👍
@@rscsingh7848 👍🏻
Koala lookin' sharp.
This was a good video. Starting 2025 though IAF Mig 21 will be phased out. To be replaced by Tejas Mk 1/1A
Well it has got pretty old so it needs to be replaced 🤷♂️
still flying here in Danang
Ah. The Flying Coffin.
No wasn't that the Soviet early generation super sonic jet bomber which was really inconvenient
this is a rocket with a big wings and a cockpit.
My favorite Soviet fighter!
Indian Airforce has retired this Mig. They have upgraded and called it Might 21 bison. And not forgetting that many experienced pilot were killed in the crash.
Can’t beat a good design. Is any jet perfect?
Thanks mimir
India needs to put go pro's in their Mig 21's, so next time they can prove Mig 21 can eat F-16's.
finally he listened to me :)
Why do players play with full afterburner on all the time? Or does that game have infinite fuel? Just curious :-)
Engagements are just short enough that with a full tank, you generally don’t have to worry about running out of fuel
@@ArmorCast Oh I see ok, thanks for explaining :-)
at 8:26 you could have taken the flare/chaff pod
Wasn't in the game at the time unfortunately. Not a lot of aircraft had flares back then besides the Phantoms
India operating dozen of Rafale F3R, scores of Mirage 2000I & 200 some SU30MKI along with Mig 21UPG make statement in favor of these legend of a machine..
2:25 this clip hurts my eyes.
Flew? Flies! -Regards, an Indian. Looks like we will keep it in service for another 2 decades :(
It is the greatest jet fighter ever made We can call it the king of fighters
I think that would have to go to the F-22 Raptor. Even if we're looking at the best fighter specifically for its time, the F-4 Phantom was undoubtedly a better and more successful jet, though the MiG of course sold better overseas and had a much longer production run
F16 killer..
So this is the one in Iron Eagle used by the antagonists.
MiG-21 is the answer to question: What if we just kept the airframe and kept upgrading avionics and weapons for half a century?
Legend aircraft hunted f16 aircraft