Aero Vodochody MiG-21F-13 (Aero S-106) “Fishbed-C” (C/N 560301; S/N 0301) ~ This delta-wing, short-range, day fighter was made in Czechoslovakia via contract from Mikoyan-Gurevich and was called the Aero S-106 for a period of time before the government reverted back to the MiG-21F-13 designation. 

Our Fishbed-C was made by Aero Vodochody and delivered to the Czechoslovakian Air Force in July of 1965. Here are a few more details of its life:

  • July 1965 – 4 SLP (Czech Fighter Aviation Regiment)
  • 1965 – 9 SLP (Czech Fighter Aviation Regiment)
  • 1985 – 4 SLP (Czech Fighter Aviation Regiment)
  • Unknown date – 9 SLP (Czech Fighter Aviation Regiment)
  • December 1988 – Withdrawn from use in the Czechoslovakian Air Base in Bechyne
  • Unknown date: Sold to the Hungarian Air Force
  • December 1992: Sold to America
  • On display at the US Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio as North Vietnamese People’s Air Force (NVPAF) with the s/n “5063”

The Fishbed-C has been on indefinite loan to MAPS Air Museum since June 30, 2014 and is undergoing some refurbishment led by Crew Chief Carl Bersneider.

Specifications/Performance

  • Role: Fighter/Interceptor
  • First flight: February 14, 1956 (Ye-2)
  • Introduction: 1959
  • Produced: 1959-1985
  • Built: 11,496 (all variants)
  • Crew: 1
  • Engine: 1 x Tumansky R-11F-300, 8,600 lbf, (w/ afterburner 12,680 lbf)
  • Length: 51 ft 8.5 in
  • Height: 13 ft 5.5 in
  • Wingspan: 23 ft 5.5 in
  • Empty weight: 10,979 lb
  • Max takeoff weight: 19,015 lb
  • Max speed: @ sea level, 684 mph; @ 6972 ft, 777 mph
  • Range: 808 mi
  • Endurance: 1 hr 37 m
  • Service ceiling: 62,336 ft

Armament, notable

  • Guns: 1 x NR-30 (right side; only 60 rounds)
  • 1 x K-13/R-3S Air-to-air missile
  • 1 x UB-16-57U rocket
  • 1 x S-24 HVAR rocket
  • 1 x FAB-100/250/500 lb bombs
  • 1 x ZB-360 bomb

Museum display notes: paintings and markings of the North Vietnam’s elite 921st Fighter Regiment from the 1960’s and also is using the S/N 5603, not the actual S/N 0301.

Designed to replace: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 “Farmer”

Replaced by: Mikoyan-Gurevich Mig-23 “Flogger” and Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27 “Flogger-D/J” for ground attack; then by the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 “Fulcrum” for air superiority