The arrival of MiG-23MF from 1979 on did not change the role of the MiG-21 as the most
important aircraft of the Fortele Aeriene Romane.
The Mig-21MF (Fishbed J) was powered by the lighter and more powerful Tumansky
R 13-300 Turbojet and was widely exported to all the Warsaw Pact countries. The most
predominant visual feature difference between the MF and M is the periscope on top of
the MF canopy. Romania received the first of their Mig-21MFs in 1971 and were re-
designated Izdelie 96F.

In 1986, a year after political unrest and changes the Romanian Air Force re-introduced
its former roundel that lacked the red star and consisted of a blue circle center
surrounded by a yellow circle that is surrounded by a red circle. These colors are
Romania’s National colors. It is during 1985 – 86 that the Mig-21s started to receive its
new paint scheme. The color was similar to “ghost grey” and the aircraft were given a 4
digit serial. A typical load for air-to-air interception consisted of two R-3S (AA-2 Atoll)
missiles on outboard under wing pylons, and two RS-2-U (AA-1 Alkali) missiles (mounted
on APU-68UM launch rails) on inboard under wing pylons, as well as a single centre line
drop tank. When it came to air-to-ground sorties the Mig-21s would carry UB-16-57
rocket launchers, 100kg bombs and a single centre line drop tank. In the mid 1990’s
Romania’s economy was improving so it was decided to upgrade 114 Mig-21s. This
upgrade would re-designate 6807 as a Mig-21 MF-75 LanceR C series and the aircraft
would receive the grey white and light blue paint scheme it wears today.

Mig-21MF Specs:

Power Plant:
One 41.55kN (9,340lb st) or 64.73kN (14,550lb st) with afterburner Tumansky R-13-300
turbojet

Dimensions
Wingspan: 7.15m (23ft 5½in)
Length: 15.76m (51ft 8½in) - including Pitot boom
Max T-O weight: 9,400kg (20,725lb)

Performance
Max speed: Mach 2.1 (2,230km/h - 1,385mph) above 11,000m (36,000ft) Mach 1.06
(1,300km/h - 807mph) at low level
Range: 1,100km (683 miles) - internal fuel only 1,800km (1,118 miles) - with three
external drop tanks, one under fuselage, one under each wing

Armament
One 23mm twin-barrel GSh-23 cannon with 200 rounds in belly pack
Various air-to-air and air-to-ground stores carried on four under wing pylons including:
K-13A "Atoll" or "Advanced Atoll" a-a missiles,
UV-16-57 rocket packs,
S-24 a-s rockets,
250kg and 500kg bombs
1 X centre line drop tank.

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