Some insights on Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21FL and pics of its scale model

In 1966, IAF took the first big step when it contracted for the Type 77 MiG-21FLs. FL denoting Forsazh Lokator meaning Afterburner & Radar. 38 MiG-21FLs were manufactured in the USSR and another 197 were manufactured by HAL between 1966 & 1973.

Nicknamed as Trishul (Trident) by the IAF, the Type 77 MiG-21FL was a big improvement over the Type 76 MiG-21PF. The FL had a new R2L Radar, Radar warning Receiver & larger fuel capacity. A detachable GP-9 Gunpod that housed aa twin barrel 23mm GSh cannon was mounted on the center pylon. It also had a bigger tail fin than the PF and housed a brake parachute on the base of the tail fin (The PF’s brake parachute was housed in the ventral chord)

The MiG-21FL served with frontline IAF squadrons:

• No. 1 Sqdn “Tigers”(1966-1986)
• No. 3 Sqdn “Cobras” (1972-1980)
• No. 4 Sqdn “Oorials” (1966-1980)
• No. 8 Sqdn “Eight Pursoot” (1969 – 2010)
• No. 20 Sqdn “Lightnings” (1996-1997)
• No. 28 Sqdn “First Supersonics” (1966-1986)
• No. 29 Sqdn “Scorpions” (1967-1980)
• NO. 30 Sqdn “Rhinos” (1969-2002)
• No. 45 Sqdn “Flying Daggers” (1966-1982)
• No. 47 Sqdn “Black Archers” (1968-1986)

* TACDE, OCU and MOFTU were the other units the MiG-21FL served in and played a pivotal role in India’s victory in the 1971 war. The MiG-21FL also heralded the era of using the MiG-21 for the Air-to-Ground role. 500 kg Bombs were delivered at the Tilpat range in 1967. For the bombing role in the 1971 war, they earned the nickname “RUNWAY BUSTERS”.

IAF MiG-21FLs are confirmed to have shot down four PAF aircraft during the 1971 war:

1. MiG-21FL flown by Flt Lt Jyendra Sukrut Raj show down a PAF F-86 on December 4, 1971
2. MiG-21FL flown by Flt Lt Bharat Bhushan Soni show down a PAF F-104 on December 13, 1971
3. MiG-21FL flown by Flt Lt Samar Bikram show down a PAF F-6 on December 16, 1971
4. MiG-21FL flown by Flt Lt Niraj Kukreja show down a PAF F-104 on December 17, 1971

While the MiG-21 undoubtedly emerged victorious over the much-vaunted F-104, the clash with PAF’s other potent supersonic fighter – the Dassault Mirage IIIEP was inconclusive. There was one reported engagement between an IAF MiG-21FL and a PAF Mirage IIIEP in the 1971 war with the MiG-21 firing its K-13s at the Mirage IIIEP, both of which failed to hit it.

The Type-77 MiG-21FL initially had 2 hardpoints under the wing for AAMs and 1 centerline for the drop tank/GP-9 gun pod. Sometime in the 80s, it was modified to have 4 wing hardpoints for AAMs/Bombs. This greatly enhanced usability.Type-77 would serve the IAF for 47 years across 11 combat Sqns, the longest of any variants, ruling the eastern skies & was extensively used in type training post-1986.

C750- The Starfighter Killer

MiG-21FL Tail no. C750 was serving with No.47 Sqdn “Black Archers” based at AFS Jamnagar during the 1971 war.

On December 13, 1971, a formation of two PAF F-104As from No. 9 Sqdn “Griffins” was tasked to strike the IAF airfield at Jamnagar. Wg Cdr Mervin L Middlecoat was to lead this mission with Sqn Ldr Tariq Habib as his No.2. The formation ingressed for the strike at a low level, with the Starfighters configured with wingtip tanks and two Sidewinders under the wings. Close to Jamnagar, the formation pulled-up to 2-3000 feet with a target offset to their right by 2-3 miles in order to line up for their strafing runs. For some reason, Middlecoat who was leading the strike banked to the left while target was on the right. Habib gave him a call to correct this. Repositioning for the strafing run resulted in formation spending another minute or two near the target area.

After repositioning the formation was again going in for a strafing run, Middlecoat gave Habib a call saying that a missile had been fired at him. Habib cleared his six but did not see anything. Moments later while exiting and over the Gulf of Kutch, Habib got a call from Middlecoat saying that he had been hit and was ejecting. Habib inquired if he could make it to overland but he replied the negative. Habib saw Middlecoat ejecting and the Starfighter going into the water while inverted. At that moment, Habib noticed a MiG-21 to his right. As he pulled up to convert behind the MiG-21 his auto-pitch control malfunctioned and the aircraft nose started oscillating. After disengaging the APC Habib safely exited from the area.

Two IAF MiG-21FLs performing CAP over Jamnagar had intercepted the Starfighters while they were lining up for the strafing run. The lead MiG-21 flown by Flt Lt Bharat Bhushan Soni had fired an Atoll missile at F-104s which missed, but was able to close-in for a gun kill. The body of Wg Cdr M L Middlecoat was never recovered.

Bharat Bhushan Soni, VrC, VM, with his MiG-21FL:

The two pilots who clashed over Jamnagar – Flt Lt Soni on the left, Wg Cdr Middlecoat on the right:

The GP-9 gunpod on the centerline

Chasing it’s shadow

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