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Home >> English >> Technical Data

Notice: This page is not subject to any update. For updated information please refer to the German pages of this website or the publications by the author.

Technical Overview

Due to the long time of production and the large numbers built there are many differences between the several MiG-21 versions. Despite a high degree of standardization the early MiG-21 has not much in common with the final version MiG-21bis. During more than 20 years of production only the single-seaters were delivered with two types of shock cones, two configurations of canopies and ejection seats, four basic variants of the dorsal spine, three types of fins, three generations of engines, five different gun configurations and three wing designs. Furthermore modifications for new versions were adopted for the current production. This lead to short-lived sub versions. The lack of clear differences between some sub versions caused a lot of errors in distinction of the MiG-21 versions, even in high quality publications. That's why the author put a lot of effort in description of characteristic features of different versions.

Like the MiG-21 itself its armament shows a great variety. Weaponry of Soviet origin was supplemented in several countries by Western systems - first of all American Sidewinder and French Magic air-to-air missiles. China equipped its F-7 with copies of American and Soviet weapons. And today's upgraded versions can carry guided and unguided air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons of every kind from Russia, USA, Israel ...

 

Technical data and flying characteristics of the MiG-21

Below the main technical data and flying characteristics of every MiG-21 generation (each represented by one version) are listed.

Parameter F-13 PFM MF bis UM
Length w/o pitot tube (m) 13,46 14,10 14,10 14,10 13,46
Wingspan (m) 7,15 7,15 7,15 7,15 7,15
Height (m) 4,12 4,12 4,12 4,12 4,12
Wing area (mē) 22,95 22,95 22,95 22,95 22,95
Empty weight (kg) 4980 5380 5690 5895 5380
Gross weight (kg) 8625 9080 9872 10100 8500
Payload (kg) 1000 1000 1250 1250 1000
Max. speed (km/h) 2125 2175 2230 2230 2175
Range w/o drop tanks (km) 1300 1370 1125 1225 1075
Service ceiling (m) 19000 19900 17700 17800 17300
Fuel w/o drop tanks. (l) 2300 2600 2600 2750 2350

 

Technical data and flying characteristics of the J-7 / F-7

In the table below each generations of the J-7 / F-7 is represented by one version too.

Parameter I/A M III MG FT-7
Length w/o pitot tube (m) 13,46 13,95 14,10 13,95 13,46
Wingspan (m) 7,15 7,15 7,15 8,32 7,15
Height (m) 4,10 4,10 4,12 4,10 4,10
Wing area (mē) 22,95 22,95 22,95 24,88 22,95
Empty weight (kg) 4980 5275 5690 5292 5275
Gross weight (kg) 8625 8150 9872 9100 8500
Payload (kg) 1000 1000 1250 1000
Max. speed (km/h) 2125 2175 2230 2175 2175
Range w/o aux. tanks (km) 1300 1125 1010
Service ceiling (m) 19000 18200 17700 18000 17300