I find it hard to believe the MiG-21 design is almost as old as I am and is still serving as a front-line fighter in several air forces around the world. I’m still pretty active, but no longer a “front-line fighter” by any stretch of the imagination. Since the end of WWII, in almost any conflict involving Western air forces, the adversary has been a Mikoyan-Gurevich designed aircraft: in many instances, the MiG-21 Fishbed.

In Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, Alexander Mladenov thoroughly covers the MiG-21 from its early development to its role in several conflicts around the world. His descriptions are often technical, but very readable nonetheless. The chapter titles give a good idea what is discussed:

1. Introduction
2. Design and Development
3. Technical Specifications (MiG-21PFM, Type 94)
4. Main Mig-21 Versions, Modifications, and Projects
5. Operational History
6. Conclusion
7. Further Reading
8. Index

I found the chapter on the different versions interesting. The designers attempted to alleviate some of the problems with the aircraft in each subsequent variant: mainly short range and high landing speeds. The author describes in detail what changes took place to create each version. He also discusses how this interceptor evolved into a ground-attack fighter.

I also liked the chapter on the MiG-21’s operational history since it gave a more Russian-oriented perspective on several conflicts. This was true for the Middle Eastern wars as well as Viet Nam. His comments on the Russian experience in Afghanistan were relevant to our own country’s involvement there. I can’t imagine how harrowing it was, for all concerned, using the MiG-21 to drop iron bombs on targets in mountainous terrain. One pilot mentioned the use of the tip of the pitot tube as the best aiming device.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Russian aircraft and the MiG-21 Fishbed in particular. I would say it's more for the historian in us, rather than the modeler. It does offer a comprehensive background for your next MiG-21 build, and there are plenty of Fishbed kits out there in all scales. I have a couple of Fujimi 1/72 kits in my collection and want to get one of the new RV Models releases.

My thanks go to Osprey Publishing for providing this book for review and to IPMS/USA for the chance to review it.