Changes

The MiG-21 entered operational service with [[North Vietnam]] in early 1966, a year after the MiG-17, but over the course of the war shot down over twice as many American aircraft (46) as its subsonic companion.  Like the MiG-17, the MiG-21 was more maneuverable than the American fighters it faced, but had relatively poor avionics (although they were an improvement over the MiG-17’s).  Thirteen MiG-21 pilots became aces (according to Vietnamese records), and the three top-scoring North Vietnamese aces were Fishbed drivers.  The Vietnamese top gun was Nguyen Van Coc, with nine confirmed victories, including three [[F-105 Thunderchief]]s and three [[F-4 Phantom]]s.<ref>[http://www.acepilots.com/vietnam/viet_aces.html North Vietnamese Aces]</ref>  

The MiG-21 entered operational service with [[North Vietnam]] in early 1966, a year after the MiG-17, but over the course of the war shot down over twice as many American aircraft (46) as its subsonic companion.  Like the MiG-17, the MiG-21 was more maneuverable than the American fighters it faced, but had relatively poor avionics (although they were an improvement over the MiG-17’s).  Thirteen MiG-21 pilots became aces (according to Vietnamese records), and the three top-scoring North Vietnamese aces were Fishbed drivers.  The Vietnamese top gun was Nguyen Van Coc, with nine confirmed victories, including three [[F-105 Thunderchief]]s and three [[F-4 Phantom]]s.<ref>[http://www.acepilots.com/vietnam/viet_aces.html North Vietnamese Aces]</ref>  

   

   

The MiGs typically used hit-and-run tactics, rushing in at high speed, firing their missiles, and escaping before the American escorts could respond.  Even when the missiles failed to score, the bombers often had to jettison their payloads to evade the attacks, making the sorties pointless.  In Operation Bolo, on January 2, 1967, USAF Phantoms downed seven North Vietnamese Fishbeds, approximately a third of their MiG-21 force, dealing them a serious blow.  The remaining MiG-21s were temporarily withdrawn to wait for replacements and revise tactics.  On April 30 of that year, the MiG-21s returned to the fight in a big way, downing three, possibly four, F-105 Thunderchiefs for no loss.  One of the MiG pilots was Nguyen Van Coc, who scored his first kill in this action.  Among the American pilots lost was [[Medal of Honor]] winner Leo K. Thorsness, who spent the rest of the war as a POW.

The MiGs typically used hit-and-run tactics, rushing in at high speed, firing their missiles, and escaping before the American escorts could respond.  Even when the missiles failed to score, the bombers often had to jettison their payloads to evade the attacks, making the sorties pointless.  In Operation Bolo, on January 2, 1967, USAF Phantoms downed seven North Vietnamese Fishbeds, approximately a third of their MiG-21 force, dealing them a serious blow.  The remaining MiG-21s were temporarily withdrawn to wait for replacements and revise tactics.  On April 30 of that year, the MiG-21s returned to the fight in a big way, downing three, possibly four, F-105 Thunderchiefs for no loss.  One of the MiG pilots was Nguyen Van Coc, who scored his first kill in this action.  Among the American pilots lost was [[Medal of Honor]] winner [[Leo Thorsness|Leo K. Thorsness]], who spent the rest of the war as a POW.

When [[Operation Rolling Thunder]] ended, the air war entered a lull.  By the time bombing of the North resumed two years later, the Vietnamese People’s Air Force had re-equipped many of its MiG-17 units with MiG-21s, and 1972 saw 24 American planes lost to North Vietnamese Fishbeds.  Most of the downed planes were Phantoms, but MiG-21 pilots also claimed to shot down two [[B-52]]s during Operation Linebacker II.  For their part, the Americans had improved their tactics, revised their training, and removed many of the restrictions that had handicapped them in Operation Rolling Thunder, and MiG losses were high.  American fighter pilots downed over 45 MiG-21s in 1972.<ref>''MiG-21 Units of the Vietnam War'', by Istvan Toperczer, Osprey Publishing, 2001</ref>

When [[Operation Rolling Thunder]] ended, the air war entered a lull.  By the time bombing of the North resumed two years later, the Vietnamese People’s Air Force had re-equipped many of its MiG-17 units with MiG-21s, and 1972 saw 24 American planes lost to North Vietnamese Fishbeds.  Most of the downed planes were Phantoms, but MiG-21 pilots also claimed to shot down two [[B-52]]s during Operation Linebacker II.  For their part, the Americans had improved their tactics, revised their training, and removed many of the restrictions that had handicapped them in Operation Rolling Thunder, and MiG losses were high.  American fighter pilots downed over 45 MiG-21s in 1972.<ref>''MiG-21 Units of the Vietnam War'', by Istvan Toperczer, Osprey Publishing, 2001</ref>