Miragedriver
Brigadier
The Mig-21 has been an amazing aircraft. No longer so much in its ability to stay with the modern aircraft in battle. But its history is just amazing.
By far and away the most produced jet fighter in history. Well over 11,000 of them produced in all.
By comparison, the F-16, which (along with the F-4) is the most produced fighter from the west was produced in numbers closer to 5,000.
The Mig-21 has been in operation since 1959, coming up on 55 years. It's fierce competitors back in the day, the F-8 Crusader and then the F-4 Phantom had their own very long histories. All of these aircraft were amazing for their day.
The F-8 (1,200 produced, started service in 1957) went out finally with the French in 2000. The F-4 (also about 5,000 produced, starting service in 1960) is still flying with Greece, South Korea, Turkey and Japan.
Very true! I really like what the Israeli’s did with the F-4 (2000) Terminator. Just digressing for a bit, but how would you see and F-8 and F-4 air-to-air engagement going? F-4 superior in the BVR and the F-8 in the WVR.
I still see the FTC-2000G as a good cheap aircraft for providing flight time for pilots and as an aggressor aircraft to keep the WVR training sharp.
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