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MiG-21PF Fishbed-D
Short History
The MiG-21’s development began in the 1950s as a lightweight, delta-winged jet capable of Mach 2 performance. Early versions like the MiG-21F-13 were daytime short-range fighters with a simple radar gunsight, one cannon, and a couple of early heat-seeking missiles. In 1961 the MiG-21PF (“Fishbed-D”) was introduced as an all-weather interceptor variant. (In Russian, P stood for “Perekhvatchik” or interceptor, and F for “Forsirovanny” meaning uprated, referring to its improved engine.) The PF added a modest radar (eventually the RP-21) in the nose and eliminated the internal cannon to save space for new avionics and fuel. It carried two guided missiles as its sole armament, typically K-13 (R-3S) “Atoll” infrared homing missiles, plus an option for older beam-riding radar missile K-5 (AA-1) “Alkali” giving it a punch at high speed but no cannons for close-in fighting (although some MiG-21PF models may have been equipped with cannons, such instances were most likely exceptionally rare and came at a later stage). The MiG-21PF thus marked a shift in the MiG-21 lineage toward specialized interception of targets in all weather or at night, something earlier models couldn’t do.
The “Missile Age” and the “No-Gun” Doctrine
Spoiler
The design choices of the MiG-21PF can only be understood in the context of the 1960s “missile age.” At that time, military aviation doctrine worldwide believed that dogfights with cannons were becoming obsolete. Guided missiles, with their ability to strike from beyond visual range or in high-speed passes, were seen as the future of air combat. Both Soviet and Western air forces assumed that supersonic speeds and new missile technology would make maneuvering gun attacks nearly impossible. As a result, aircraft like the MiG-21PF were designed without any internal guns, on the premise that a nimble interceptor only needed missiles to destroy its targets. The MiG-21PF would sprint towards intruders (for example, incoming enemy bombers or spy planes), lock on with its radar or infrared sensors, and fire its missiles, ideally blasting the enemy out of the sky in one pass. Any additional weight or drag from a cannon was considered unnecessary for this job. This trend wasn’t unique to the USSR: the contemporary American F-4 Phantom II was also built with only missiles and no gun at first.
In theory, a missile-armed fighter would never need to get into a turning dogfight, it would shoot from afar and zoom away. This confidence in missiles was so prevalent that guns were widely dropped from new fighters of the era. Combat experience, however, would soon show the pitfalls of this doctrine, as real-world engagements in Vietnam and the Middle East proved that old-fashioned dogfights were not as obsolete as expected.
Physical Attributes
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Physically, the MiG-21PF retained the iconic delta-wing configuration of the MiG-21 series but introduced several important changes that distinguished it from both its predecessor, the MiG-21F-13, and its successor, the MiG-21PFM.
Compared to the F-13, the PF featured a larger and more pronounced radome to house the RP-9/RP-21 radar, replacing the simpler nose of the earlier variant which lacked a true radar system. The most noticeable downgrade in versatility was the removal of the NR-30 30mm cannon found in the F-13. The MiG-21PF was the first variant to adopt the missile-only doctrine, relying entirely on air-to-air missiles like the R-3S and K-5s. Although the front-hinged canopy design from the F-13 was retained, the cockpit of the PF was upgraded with radar integration and more advanced avionics to support its role as an all-weather interceptor. Additionally, the PF featured a slightly enlarged ventral fin under the tail for improved high-speed stability.
In contrast, the MiG-21PFM brought even more visible and functional changes. It introduced a side-hinged canopy that opened sideways, a feature implemented to accommodate the improved KM-1 ejection seat, which enhanced pilot safety. The PFM also added SPS-blown flaps, allowing for shorter takeoff and landing distances, something the PF lacked. PFMs introduced an upgraded RP-21M radar. The later PFMs regained some of the close-range firepower lost in earlier variants by being compatible with the GP-9 gun pod, restoring limited gun capability beneath the fuselage. The MiG-21PF was powered by the R-11F2-300 engine, whereas some PFS variants and the MiG-21PFM featured the upgraded R-11F2S-300, offering improved throttle response and reliability. In addition, the PFM introduced enhanced avionics and overall systems refinement.
Physically, the tail section of the PF remains quite similar to the earlier F-13, retaining the same basic fin, rudder, and engine exhaust configuration without the aerodynamic refinements seen on later models. However, the forward fuselage, particularly the nose section, more closely resembles that of the PFM, featuring a noticeably larger radome to house the RP-21 radar system. This version also introduces the characteristic spine “hump” along the upper fuselage, which began modestly on the PF but would become increasingly larger in later MiG-21 variants. That said, the front fuselage of the PF is still unique, distinct from both the F-13 and PFM in subtle ways.
One of the easiest ways to visually distinguish the MiG-21PF from both the PFM and the FL is the absence of the rear-mounted drag parachute housing. While later variants like the PFM and FL relocated the braking parachute to a bulged fairing at the base of the tail fin, the PF lacks this feature entirely, instead retaining the under-fuselage parachute compartment seen on early MiG-21s.
MiG-21PFS and MiG-21FL
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There is sometimes confusion surrounding the MiG-21PFS and the export MiG-21FLs, which closely resemble the MiG-21PF but are in fact separate variants with their own development lineage. Physically, the MiG-21PFS/FL can be distinguished from the PF by the addition of a tail-mounted drag chute housing at the base of the vertical stabilizer, a feature shared with the MiG-21PFM and later variants. To differentiate the PFS/FL from the PFM, however, one must look at the cockpit canopy. The FL retained the older front-hinged canopy with classic “clamshell” framing, while the PFM introduced a side-hinged canopy to accommodate the KM-1 ejection seat.
Egyptian Air Force MiG-21FL. Note the absence of the GP-9 gun pod. Image shown for demonstration purposes only.
The early MiG-21PFS, meanwhile, was physically identical to the PF, with the only addition being SPS-blown flaps for improved takeoff and landing performance. Later PFS models gradually evolved, first becoming visually identical to the FL, and eventually matching the configuration of the early PFM. Some PFS aircraft also received an improved R-11F2S-300 engine. This visual progression made both the FL and the mid-production PFS variants visual hybrids, blending elements from both the PF and PFM lines. Despite these overlaps, they remain distinguishable by key features such as the drag chute housing and canopy design.
While both the PF/S and FL were developed under the same interceptor doctrine of the early 1960s, centered around missile-only armament and the elimination of internal cannons, they diverged in capabilities. The FL was equipped with a less powerful R11F-300 engine, a simplified R-2L radar, and lacked compatibility with the RS-2US beam-riding missile used by the PF. Designed specifically for export, the MiG-21FL was widely operated by numerous developing nations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
India acquired a license to produce the FL domestically through HAL, and over time introduced local upgrades, including the GP-9 gun pod to restore limited close-range firepower and later gave it two additional underwing pylons. Based on available evidence, it appears that the Soviets also did experiment with equipping mid-production MiG-21PFS variants with gun pods; however, such configurations remain undocumented on the PF model.
It is important to emphasize that the MiG-21PFS and especially the MiG-21FL remain distinct aircraft in appearance and performance. While the MiG-21PFS/FL share a visual and doctrinal resemblance to the PF, any discussion or suggestion regarding their capabilities should be handled independently. The MiG-21FL and mid-production MiG-21PFS each warrant their own separate suggestions, as they are distinct variants with notable external and internal differences, not only from the earlier MiG-21PF, but also from each other.
Combat Record of the MiG-21PF: Vietnam and the Middle East
Vietnam
Spoiler
In Vietnam, the MiG-21PF quickly proved both its strengths and its weaknesses. North Vietnamese pilots flying these MiGs became feared adversaries to US air crews. The MiG-21PF’s small size and high speed made it ideal for “hit-and-run” tactics, darting in, firing a heat-seeking missile at an American fighter or bomber, and then using superior speed to break off engagement. In the hands of well-trained pilots, the MiG-21PF scored a number of kills (several Vietnamese aces earned their victories in MiG-21s). However, once those two missiles were fired, a PF had no other weapons to fight with. MiG-21 pilots who missed with their missiles often had to disengage or risk being sitting ducks, since they couldn’t dogfight or shoot back without a gun.
This became a serious limitation. In many encounters, if a MiG-21PF failed to down its target immediately, the tables turned quickly, lengthy dogfights favored the American F-4 Phantoms and F-8 Crusaders, especially once U.S. pilots learned to exploit the MiG’s lack of guns. In fact, by 1967 the U.S. Air Force started equipping Phantoms with external gun pods and later built new models with internal cannons (the F-4E) precisely because they learned from these close engagements that missiles alone were not enough. The North Vietnamese also improvised: reportedly some MiG-21PF/PFM (most likely PFM) fighters were eventually fitted with the aforementioned GP-9 gun pod, and their tactics emphasized quick surprise attacks to avoid protracted dogfights.
Middle-East
Spoiler
The story was similar in the Middle East. Arab forces fielded MiG-21PFs in conflicts like the Six-Day War (1967) and the War of Attrition (1968–70). In 1967, many Egyptian MiG-21s (F-13/PF/PFS models) were caught on the ground and destroyed by Israel’s preemptive air strikes. But even in the air, Israeli pilots soon realized the MiG-21PF had no cannon. In dogfights, Israeli Mirage IIIC fighters (which were armed with twin 30mm guns) would try to drag the MiGs into tight turning fights or outlast them. An Israeli Mirage, for example, could afford to withhold firing a missile and instead close in for a sure kill with cannon fire, a luxury the missile-only MiG-21PF did not have. Egyptian and Syrian MiG-21 pilots found that once their initial missile shots were evaded, they had little recourse at close range. There are accounts of Egyptian pilots lamenting that they had enemy targets in their sights but no trigger to pull once their missiles were expended. Unsurprisingly, the missile-only MiG-21PFs suffered in these encounters, several were shot down in situations where a defensive cannon might have made a difference.
Egyptian Air Force MiG-21PFS Late/PFM. Image shown for demonstration purposes only.
By the Yom Kippur War in 1973, most frontline Fishbeds had been upgraded (the newer MiG-21MF and others came with an internal cannon), and even the remaining PF/PFMs (most likely PFMs) were usually equipped with gun pods. These changes were a direct consequence of the hard lessons learned earlier. In sum, the MiG-21PF’s combat record showed it to be a capable interceptor with clear limitations. It could snare an unwary foe with a quick missile attack, but if that failed, the lack of guns became a glaring handicap. This experience had a lasting influence on fighter design: not only did later MiG-21 versions re-incorporate guns, but virtually all fighter jets since then have included an internal cannon as a backup weapon. The MiG-21PF’s career thus perfectly encapsulates the era’s initial optimism in missiles and the subsequent realization that dogfighting was not dead after all.
Loadout
Regarding the GP-9 pod
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It should be noted that there is no confirmed evidence of standard MiG-21PF airframes being equipped with the GP-9 gun pod during their operational service. Cockpit photos of the MiG-21PF clearly show the absence of a dedicated gun sight or associated fire control systems, meaning that integrating a GP-9 pod would require more than just mounting the pod itself, it would involve significant internal modifications, including additional wiring, cockpit interface changes, and possibly changes to the aircraft’s power and trigger systems. As a result, while the GP-9 was externally compatible with the MiG-21 series, its actual use on the PF variant appears highly unlikely and remains unsubstantiated by historical records. In contrast, the MiG-21PFM, a later and more advanced interceptor variant, is well documented as being paired with the GP-9 pod during later stages of its service life.
The photograph above shows a mid-production MiG-21PFS fitted with a GP-9 gun pod; however, I have not found any confirmed photographs of the MiG-21PF variant equipped in this manner.
Regarding the K-5 missile
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The K-5 (RS-2U) missile deserves its own dedicated suggestion due to its historical significance, nevertheless a brief overview is relevant here. The K-5 was the first operational Soviet air-to-air missile, introduced in the 1950s and initially designed for use on aircraft like the MiG-17PFU and MiG-19PM. It used a beam-riding guidance system, which required the launching aircraft to maintain a constant radar lock on the target throughout the missile’s flight. This meant the pilot had to keep the aircraft precisely pointed at the target, any deviation could result in a complete miss.
In terms of characteristics, the K-5 was relatively heavy, which gave it a larger and more damaging warhead compared to lighter missiles like the R-3S or R-3R. However, it was specifically intended for use against bombers, and as such, had very poor maneuverability, typically no more than 2–3 G in target tracking. Its effective launch range was quite limited as well, officially quoted as 3 to 6 km, but in practical terms, it was closer to 3 km. One of the fundamental flaws of beam-riding guidance is that accuracy decreases sharply with distance, as the radar beam widens the farther it travels, making precision increasingly difficult. While head-on launches were theoretically possible, the missile was almost exclusively used in tail-chase engagements, where relative closing speeds were lower and guidance was more manageable.
The image above allegedly depicts a Vietnamese MiG-21PF armed with a K-5 (AA-1 Alkali) missile.
As for its use with the MiG-21PF. Several sources state that the PF was capable of employing the K-5 missile, particularly earlier in its service life when more advanced missiles like the R-3S were not yet widely deployed. The PF had the wiring and launch systems compatible with the K-5, however it was rarely, if ever, used operationally with that missile. The system was already considered outdated by the time the MiG-21PF became widespread, making its practical use questionable.
Implementation
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This is undeniably a controversial suggestion, as the MiG-21PF would, in some respects, be worse than the MiG-21F-13, which at least features a “decent” 30mm cannon with 60 rounds and the ability to engage ground targets effectively.
Despite its limitations, I believe the MiG-21PF still deserves a place with the USSR due to its historical significance as one of the earliest radar-equipped MiG-21 variants and a key step in the evolution of the Fishbed family. Ideally, it would fit best in War Thunder as an event vehicle or squadron vehicle, reflecting its niche status and somewhat limited combat loadout. Additionally, it could be introduced as part of another Warsaw Pact nation, such as Hungary, either as an extension or an alternative implementation.
While implemented, the aircraft should technically come equipped with only R-3S missiles and possibly some basic air-to-ground armament similar to what was seen on the MiG-21F-13. It appears that some MiG-21PF aircraft were used in the evaluation of the R-3R missile, with photographic evidence showing at least one example equipped with R-3R radar-guided missiles. If the K-5 missile is introduced in-game, it should be considered for this aircraft, as several sources suggest it was compatible, at least in the early stages of the PF’s service life. The aircraft also could not mount a countermeasure pod, for the same reasons it was incompatible with the GP-9 gun pod, it lacked the necessary internal wiring and control systems to support such equipment. As a result, the centerline pylon was functionally limited, and was intended solely for carrying an auxiliary fuel tank.
If Gaijin’s developers decide to push it, they could potentially introduce R-13M missiles for the MiG-21PF, similar to how the MiG-23MS, originally equipped with R-3S missiles, received modifications to carry R-13Ms. A similar logic could also be applied to allow the PF to carry the GP-9 gun pod or the countermeasures pod. However, it’s important to note that I have found no visual evidence supporting the MiG-21PF being equipped with any of these. These additions would be entirely speculative and ultimately up to the developers’ discretion.
Conclusion
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To conclude, the MiG-21PF is a historically significant aircraft, having a distinct physical profile, widespread service within Warsaw Pact air forces, and combat legacy shared among various foreign operators. Despite its important role in Cold War aviation history, its capabilities in the context of War Thunder would be extremely limited. With only two missiles, no internal cannon, and a complete lack of countermeasures, the PF would be a challenging and unforgiving aircraft to fly in-game.
Nonetheless, its historical relevance makes it a worthy candidate for inclusion, perhaps as a squadron or event vehicle. I’m genuinely curious to see how the community responds in the poll and whether players would welcome such a niche, but iconic, interceptor.
Specifications
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General Characteristics
- Manufacturer: Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau (USSR)
- Role: Interceptor / Fighter
- Crew: 1
- Length: 14.1 m (46 ft 3 in)
- Wingspan: 7.15 m (23 ft 5 in)
- Height: 4.1 m (13 ft 5 in)
- Wing Area: 23.0 m² (247.6 ft²)
- Empty Weight: ~5,260 kg (11,600 lbs)
- Max Takeoff Weight: ~8,725 kg (19,230 lbs)
Performance
- Maximum Speed:
- Mach 2.0 (~2,175 km/h or 1,350 mph) at altitude
- Combat Radius: ~500 km (310 mi)
- Ferry Range (with external tanks): ~1,210 km (750 mi)
- Service Ceiling: 17,800 m (58,400 ft)
- Rate of Climb: ~120 m/s (23,600 ft/min)
- Thrust (Engine – Tumansky R-11F2-300):
- Dry: ~38.7 kN (8,710 lbf)
- With Afterburner: ~60.0 kN (13,490 lbf)
Armament
- Internal Guns: None
- Hardpoints: 2 underwing pylons + 1 centerline (fuel tank only)
- Missiles:
- 2 × R-3S (AA-2A “Atoll”) IR-guided missiles
- 2 x R-3R (AA-2B “Atoll”) SAHR missiles.
- 2 x RS-2US (K-5M) beam-riding missiles
- Bombs/Rockets: Limited capability; not originally designed for air-to-ground roles
Avionics
- Radar: RP-9/RP-21 “Sapfir” radar (NATO: Spin Scan)
- Used for basic target acquisition and guiding beam-riding missiles
- Fire Control System: Basic radar + optical sights (no gun sight due to lack of cannon)
