On June 3, 2003 the Museum’s Mig-21bis, NATO code name “Fishbed N”, arrived at Gillespie Field. Retired from active service in the Hungarian Air Force in 2001, it came by ship to Houston, from there by rail to Long Beach and thence on two trucks to Gillespie Field. The aircraft was donated by Connie Cole-Redick, President of Advanced Aviation Inc., the Hungarian Government, and a private donor.
Mikoyan-Gurevich Mig-21s were produced in greater numbers (over 11,000) than any other jet fighter. The HAF took delivery of its first Mig-21s in 1961. The Mig-21bis, very similar to the MF version, was the last and most modern version in Hungarian service. A single seat multi-role fighter, power is furnished by a Tumansky (now Soyuz) R-25-300 turbojet providing 16,535 pounds of thrust with afterburner. Maximum speed is Mach 2.1 at 42,650 feet. Maximum take-off weight is 21,605 pounds. Typical combat range is about 250 miles. Overall length is 51 feet 9 inches and wingspan is 23 feet 6 inches. Armament consists of a 23mm twin barrel cannon and 4,400 pounds of stores on one centerline and four wing hardpoints.
The Museum’s MiG-21 is currently under restoration at Gillespie to repair and replace corroded metal on the fuselage and wings. Once completed, it will receive new paint and will retain its original Hungarian AF color scheme and markings.
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