The MiG-21 Fishbed in CubaRuben Urribarres |
The MiG-21 was best second generation soviet fighter, and one of the main fighters in the world
in the 60-80's.
Begin to be created in 1954, its prototyp performs the first flight May 28, 1958 by the pilot V.A. Nefedov.
25 main modifications
were built in series and 30 experimental versions. In the USSR in 1960-1983 were
built 10,158 fighters. They were produced too by licence in Czechozlovakia (194
aircrafts Aero MiG-21F-13), India (600 HAL MiG-21FL, M and bis) and China (1,000
Jian J-7/F-7), with a total of MiG-21 built of over 12,000, that was the
more numerous second generation fighter in the world.
One of the MiG-21F-13 that arrived during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Air Museum, Havana. Picture: Ruben Urribarres.
It has 17 World records
registered by the FAI. Fought in almost all the important conflicts of the
60-90's. Numerically the MiG-21 has been the most important warplane in the Cuban
Air Force for most of its existence.
Cuban Missiles Crisis
The first unit of the USSR in receiving the MiG-21 and to be list was the 32° Fighter Regiment of the Guard (32° Gv.IAP), of the Colonel N.V. Shibanov, based in Kubinka (near Moscow), that begins to receive the MiG-21F-13 in 1961. The Regiment already was ready in the first half of 1962, when in June of 1962 receives the secret order of disarming again the MiG-21F-13 and to be prepared to be transferred in train to the port Baltiisk and then to Cuba. The Regiment has of 40 MiG-F-13, 6 trainers MiG-15UTI and a liason airplane Yak-12. For the secret operation, it was renamed then as 213° IAP. They leave at the beginning of September to Cuba and arrive two weeks later. The 213° regiment formed part of the 12° Anti-Aircraft Defense Division of the soviets troops in Cuba. The MiG-21F-13 are frantically assembled in Santa Clara and the September 18, 1962 the first MiG-21F-13 does its first flight in Cuba. To end of September already all the regiment was ready. On October 22 begins the Missile Crisis, and that was the first combat alarm. By the danger to be attacked in ground, the regiment is dispersed on October 24 between San Antonio, Santa Clara and Camaguey.
American airplanes performed daily recon flights over them, and November 4 by San Antonio two F-104C Starfighter of the 479° Tactical Wing are intercepted by a MiG-21F-13, that imitates to open fire, and the F-104C retire in full speed. The Americans do not appear more over the MiG-21 bases. These MIG-21F-13 don´t carried any national insignia. This encounter has its consequences. The Cubans and Russian monitoring the US radio notice, that the F-104C pilot reported being intercepted by 'Pirats planes without insignia'. Immediately all the MiG-21 were painted with the Cuban insignia.
The supposed western reports that the MiG-21 in Cuba during that Crisis fought in any form against the American airplanes, have noy base. Neither the VVS neither the FAR claim any shoot down or fights, neither shot its arm never.
During the Missile Crisis the
USAF discovered that the radars APS-95 (a modernized APS-20) of his EC-121 of
the airborne early warning and Control (AEW & C, precursor of the AWACS) cannot
detect low-flying MiG-21 because the ground clutter. As a measurement of emergency
was developed the system QRC-248 to interrogate the IFF systems of the MiG-21.
With this solution they can detect the low-level Cuban MiG-21, and that system
was later employed in Vietnam.
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The First Mach 2 fighter in Latin America
After
the Crisis, at the beginning of 1963 the Soviet Government decide to transfer
their equipment to Cuba, and to trained the Cubans pilots and technicians in the
MiG-21. In April of 1963 Cuban pilot first soloed. In summer already was ready
the first FAR MiG-21F-13 Regiment, his Leader are Alvaro
Prendes. On August 10 the soviets finally deliver all the MiG-21F-13 and go
home. Entering the MiG-21 in service in Cuba officially on August 10, 1963,
the FAR becomes one of its first users, at the same time that important allies
of the USSR as East Germany, Czechoslovakia, China, Poland and the India, what
shows the level of priority of the Cuban FAR in the USSR. In the same summer
of 1963 the MiG-21 piloted by Cubans do their first combat exercises over the
Havans's coast, sinking a ship in company with the MiG-15bis.
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Cuban MiG-21 in combat
The participation
of the Cuban MiG-21 in others conflicts are described in the articles about the
Angolan War, the Ethiopian
War (Ogaden), the"Operation
Pico" against the Dominican Republic, and actions against Bahamas.
The MiG-21 today in Cuba
Little
time after the arrival of the MiG-21F-13 in 1962, the park of the FAR is reinforced
with new versions of this fighter, as the PF. In 1966 arrives an MiG-21PFM Squadron,
another Squadron with MiG-21PFMA, and the first two seats training versions MiG-21U.
All are based in San Antonio. In 1967 arrives a second Squadron of MiG-21PFMA
to San Antonio, and is transferred to Holguin an MiG-21F-13 Squadron. In 1968
arrive the MiG-21MF and two seats trainers UM for San Antonio, then passes to
Holguin the second MiG-21F-13 Squadron. Arrive the Recon Fighter MiG-21R, that
helps in the exploration and maneuvers. In 1975 arrives two MF Squadrons, one
is sent to Angola in January of 1976. In October of 1976 in San Antonio are assembled
the better version of this fighter, the MiG-12bis, of the third generation. Other
Squadrons of MiG-21bis follow being received in the 80's, and in 1989-1990 various
fighters return from Angola, being the more numerous equipment of the FAR.
In total from 1962 to 1989 to Cuba arrives some 270 MiG-21 fighters in 9 versions
- MiG-21F-13 Fishbed C (built in 1958-1965)
- MiG-21PFM Fishbed F (1964-1968)
- MiG-21PFMA Fishbed J (1968-1971)
- MiG-21U Mongol A (1962-1968)
- MiG-21MF Fishbed J (1970-1974)
- MiG-21R Fishbed H (1965-1971)
- MiG-21US Mongol A
- MiG-21UM Mongol B (1971-1974)
- MiG-21bis Fishbed N (1972-1983)
By 1990 were in service about 100 MiG-21 from versions Bis, MF, PFMA y UM; in some Squadrons: Zona Aérea Occidental. 2° Brigada de la Guardia "Playa Girón" Regimiento de Caza / San Antonio de los Baños Air Base Escuadrón de Intercepción (Air Defense/Attack) Escuela Militar para Pilotos Aereos (EMPA) (Air Training Command) Escuela de Aviacion Militar Comandante Che Guevara / San Julián Air Base Escuadrón de Enseñansa de Vuelo Avanzado (Combat Training) Escuadrón de Enseñansa de Preparacion Combativa (Combat Training) Escuadrón de Enseñansa de Preparacion Combativa (Combat Training) Zona Aérea Central. 1° Brigada de la Guardia "Batalla de Santa Clara" Regimiento de Caza / Santa Clara Air Base Escuadrón de Intercepción (Air Defense/Attack Escuadrón de Intercepción (Air Defense/Attack Zona Aérea Oriental. 3° Brigada de la Guardia "Cuartel Moncada" Regimiento de Caza / Holguín Air Base Escuadrón de Intercepción (Air Defense/Attack Escuadrón de Intercepción (Air Defense/Attack
By the 2020 were active only half a dozen of MiG-21bis and MiG-21UM.
Characteristics of the Cubans MiG-21 Fishbed
| MiG-21F-13 Fishbed C
(type 74). Diurnal fighter without radar, with radiometr SRD-5M Kvant. Built
in 1958-1965 in three factories of the USSR. Canopy of one piece, open toward
to protect pilot. Two missiles under wings. |  |
| MiG-21PFM Fishbed F
(type 77). Built in 1964- 1968. Radar Sapfir RP-21M. Four point under wings
for missiles, internal gun. New engine with the system SPS for the blown of the
flaps. Parachute in the tail base. |  |
| MiG-21PFMA Fishbed J PFM export version
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| MiG-21R Fishbed H
(type 94R). Version based on the recon PFM version, with pod under fuselage that
load photo and TV cameras, IR sensors and laser or SLAR, equipment of electronic
countermeasures under wings. |  |
| MiG-21MF Fishbed J
(type 96F). Built in 1970-1974. More powerful engine, new radar RP-22, mirror,
additional tank of fuel of greater volume. Close combat missiles R-60 |
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| MiG-21bis Fishbed N
(type 75B). Third generation fighter, the best version, optimized for agile combats
at low level, combat load expanded. Radar Sapfir-21. Additional fuel and
new engine. |  |
| MiG-21U Mongol A.(Type
66). Two seat training version of the F-13. First flight October 17, 1960. Built
in Moscow in 1964-1968. Fuel reduced to 2350 liters, two point under wings, without
radar. |  |
| MiG-21UM Mongol B.
(Type 69). Two seat training version of the PFM. Built in Tbilisi since
1971. Four point under wings, parachute, vertical tail of greater surface, more
fuel and modernized engine |  |
| Nombre |
F-13 Fishbed C |
PF Fishbed D |
PFM Fishbed F |
PFMA Fishbed J |
MF Fishbed J |
bis Fishbed N |
R Fishbed H | U Mongol A |
UM Mongol B |
| Year Dimensions Lenght, m Wingspan,m Height, m Wing area, m2 Weights Empty weight, kg Normal weight, kg Max weight, kg Internal fuel, kg Adicional fuel, kg Engine Type Tumansky, version Dry thrust, kg After/b thrust, kg Performances Max speed at 0,kmh Max speed, km/h Ceiling, m Climb, m/s Range, km Range with load,km G |
- 15,76 7,15 4,10 22,95 - 4980 7370 8625 2115 665 - R-11F-300 3900 5740 - 1150 2175 19000 130 1300 1670 7 |
- 14,50 7,15 4,71 22,95 - - 7750 8770 2280 665 - R-11F2-300 3950 6120 - 1300 2175 19000 160 1400 1770 8 |
- 14,50 7,15 4,71 22,95 - 5350 7820 9080 2200 665 - R-11F2S-300 3900 6175 - 1300 2230 19000 160 1300 1670 8,5 |
- 14,50 7,15 4,71 22,95 - 5950 8200 - 2200 665 - R-13-300 4070 6490 - 1300 2230 17300 204 1050 1420 8,5 |
- 14,50 7,15 4,71 22,95 - 5350 8200 9400 2200 810 - R-13-300 4070 6490 - 1300 2230 18200 204 1050 1420 8,5 |
- 14,50 7,15 4,71 22,95 - 5450 8725 10420 2390 810 - R-25-300 4100* 7100-9900 - 1300 2175 17500 225 1120 1470 8,5 |
- 14,50 7,15 4,71 22,95 - - 8100 - 2330 810 - R-11F2S-300 3900 6175 - 1150 2230 15100 - 1130 1600 8,5 |
- 15,76 7,15 4,80 22,95 - - 7800 - 1950 665 - R-11F-300 3900 5740 - 1150 2175 18300 - 1210 1460 7,0 |
- 14,41 7,15 4,80 22,95 - - 8000 - 2030 665 - R-11F2S-300 3900 6175 - 1150 2175 17300 - 1210 1460 7,0 |
Armament
| MiG-21F-13 | One Gun NR-30 x 30mm with 30 rounds, 2 blocs UB-16-57U or UB-32-57U with 16-32 rockets S-5 x 57mm, or 2 rockets S-24, or 2 bombs of 50-500kg, 2 air- air missiles R-3S. Combat load 1,000 kg |
| MiG-21PF | Withouth gun. Two K-13 or R-3S missiles. Rockets and bombs like the F-13 |
| MiG-21PFM | One GSh-23 gun x 23mm. Four missiles K-13, R-3S, RS-2US (K-5) or air-surface rockets X-66, pod GP-9 under fuselage with GSh-23 Gun x 23mm |
| MiG-21PFMA | Same as PFM |
| MiG-21MF | One GSh-23 gun x 23mm with 200 rounds. Four misiles K-13M, RS-2UM,R-3S/R, R-55, R-60, R-60M, rockets x 57 and 240mm, bombs until 500kg. Combat load 1,300kg |
| MiG-21bis | One GSh-23 gun x 23mm with 200 rounds. Four missiles K-13M, RS-2UM,R-3S/R, R-60, R-60M, four rockets blocs UV-16-57 x 57mm, four rockets x 240mm, bombs until 500kg. Combat load 2,000kg |
| MiG-21R | GP-9 with GSh-23 gun x 23mm with 200 rounds in the place of the recon pod. Two air -air missiles K-13 or R-3S. |
| MiG-21U, UM | Machine gun A-12,7 x 12,7mm, 2 missiles K-13. Combat load 1,000 kg |
Photos
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See also:
Cuban MiG-15
Cuban MiG-17
Cuban MiG-19
Cuban MiG-21
Cuban MiG-21 in action
Operación Pico: Cuban MiG-21 over Dominican Republic
Cuban MiG-17 and MiG-21 in the Ogaden War (Ethiopia)
Cuban MiG-23
Cuban MiG-23 in action (air-to-ground missions in Angola)
Cuban MiG-23 in action (air-to-air missions in Angola)
Cuban MiG-29
External Links:
Cuban Air Force MiG-29 Fulcrum
Cuban MiGs
Cuban Military Forum
The MiG-29 Fighter
Cuban MiG-23 over Venezuela
Cuba in Africa, The Angola War
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