Changes

==Operational History==

==Operational History==

===Vietnam War===

===Vietnam War===

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 [[Flying ace|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  The remaining MiG-21s were temporarily withdrawn to wait for replacements and revise tactics.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 Thorsness|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.

===Egyptian-Libyan Conflict===

===Egyptian-Libyan Conflict===

After peace with Israel, Egypt's relations with some of its fellow Arab states detoriarated, and Egyptian MiG-21s were called into action again in 1977 during the brief Egyptian-Libyan War, when they escorted strikes on [[Libya]]n army outposts, radar stations, and air bases.  The Egyptian campaign was reasonably successful, but even after the ceasefire, there were occasional skirmishes.  In 1979, two Libyan [[MiG-23]]s engaged two Egyptian Fishbeds which had been modified to carry American Sidewinder missiles.  In a turning battle, in which the more maneuverable MiG-21 had the advantage, one Flogger was shot down by Egyptian pilot and veteran Major Sal Mohammad.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_353.shtml Libya & Egypt, 1971-1979]</ref>

After peace with Israel, Egypt's relations with some of its fellow Arab states detoriarated, and Egyptian MiG-21s were called into action again in 1977 during the brief Egyptian-Libyan War, when they escorted strikes on [[Libya]]n army outposts, radar stations, and air bases.  The Egyptian campaign was reasonably successful, but even after the ceasefire, there were occasional skirmishes.  In 1979, two Libyan [[MiG-23]]s engaged two Egyptian Fishbeds which had been modified to carry American [[AIM-9 Sidewinder|Sidewinder]] missiles.  In a turning battle, in which the more maneuverable MiG-21 had the advantage, one Flogger was shot down by Egyptian pilot and veteran Major Sal Mohammad.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_353.shtml Libya & Egypt, 1971-1979]</ref>

===Iran-Iraq War===

===Iran-Iraq War===

==MiG-21 in Media==

==MiG-21 in Media==

MiG-21s were a frequent and dangerous adversary of the pilots of the [[anime]] ''Area 88'', operating mainly in the air superiority role.

MiG-21s were a frequent and dangerous adversary of the pilots of the [[anime]] ''[[Area 88]]'', operating mainly in the air superiority role.

 

==References==

==References==

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[[Category: Aircraft]]

[[Category: Aircraft]]

[[Category:Soviet Union]]

[[Category:Soviet Union]]