When it became obvious during the visit to AEROTEC in Rothenburg in 1994 that dozens of MiG-21s were still stored on the neighbouring airfield, it was only natural to ask the responsible Material-Depot-Service-Gesellschaft (MDSG) for permission to visit. This was granted, and the author had the opportunity to inspect a large part of the MiG-21 versions still in the NVA inventory in 1990.
The stored single-seaters included MiG-21PFM of the local FAG-15 ...
... and MiG-21MF of fighter wing JG-3 from Preschen.
The numerous MiG-21Us also came from the inventory of FAG-15.
Some aircraft were uncovered by the friendly staff so that a look into the cockpit was possible.
MiG-21s as far as the eye can see.
Besides MiG-21s, the L-39s from Bautzen were also stored at Rothenburg. Unlike the MiGs, the jet trainers had a "second life" – with the Hungarian Air Force or civil operators.
