Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G: what if the Luftwaffe had taken over NVA Fishbeds?

[Dizzyfugu]

Some background:
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (Russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-21; NATO reporting name: Fishbed) is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. Some 50 countries over four continents have flown the MiG-21, and it still serves many nations a half-century after its maiden flight.


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G; "24 17", JG 71 'Richthofen', Deutsche Bundesluftwaffe; Wittmundhafen, 1995 (Whif) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The MiG-21 also served with the Armed Forcess of the German Democratic Republic (Nationale Volksarmee, NVA; Air Force: Luftstreitkräfte, LSK). When Germany's unification came about, the air forces of both formerly independent states were merged in October 1990 under the West German Bundesluftwaffe. Many aircraft from the GDR's forces (the LSK/NVA) were tested and evaluated for future use, but only a few types were kept or even introduced to further service. One such example were 28 MiG-29s which were converted to Western standards as MiG-29G and actively flown, but these aircraft were eventually sold to Poland in 2004.


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G; "24+17", JG 71 'Richthofen', Deutsche Bundesluftwaffe; Wittmundhafen, 1995 (Whif) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Another Soviet type which saw active use in the Bundesluftwaffe's arsenal – even though only in very limited numbers – was the MiG-21bis. With the Eurofighter (formerly Jäger 90, now Typhoon) and its development lagging more and more in time, the Luftwaffe was only (and still) left with F-4F fighters in the QRA role.

Even though a modernization program for the German F-4F fleet was launched in the 90ies (KWS = Kampfwertsteigerung), which was to upgrade radar and electronics and introduce the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile, the "heritage" of light MiG-21bis fighters with low mileage in 1990 was a welcome addition. Simple, light, cheap to maintain and having a professional pilot pool at hand that would need no training on a hew aircraft type, the decision was made to revamp former GDR aircraft. The alternative would have been to lease an interim type, like the F-16 as Italy did when the F-104S was phased out, and also had no Eurofighter at hand to replace them. But this solution was considered to be too complex and simply have a longer preparation time, including pilot training.


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G; "24 17", JG 71 'Richthofen', Deutsche Bundesluftwaffe; Wittmundhafen, 1995 (Whif) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Consequential, the MiG-21bis was to be modernized with NATO-compatible avionics and armament as well as a domestic engine. Operationally, these aircraft were to be added to the Jagdstaffeln in northern Germany as a support for the ageing F-4Fs.

24 airframes with little mileage were chosen from the former NVA's 14 MiG-21bis izdeliye 75A (Fishbed L) and 32 izdeliye 75B (Fishbed N) aircraft, which had all served with LSK's JG8 at Marxwalde. Starting in April 1991 the MiG-21bis were transferred to Deutsche Aerospace AG (DASA) in Hamburg for modification to MiG-21G (for Germany) standard.

This program included:

• Replacement of the original Tumanskiy R25-300 engine with a slightly more powerful but much more modern, reliable and fuel-economic Turbo-Union RB199-34R Mk 103 afterburning turbofan


• Modified rear fuselage through the much shorter RB-199 engine, including an elongated afterburner nozzle, an additional air intake at the fin root and an additional fuel cell in the rear fuselage


• Replacement of the original Soviet RP-21M radar with an Emerson AN/APQ-159 planar array radar with a range of 20 nmi


• Addition of a passive AN/ALR-23 infrared sensor under the air intake


• Adaptation of the armament to Western/German standards, including the replacement of the internal GSh-23-2 gun with a single BK-27 27mm Mauser cannon, avionics for AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles and conformal chaff/flare dispensers at the base of the fin


• German/English stencils and change of gauges to feet, knots and nautic miles


• Air superiority paint scheme according to current 'Norm 81' standard

1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G; "24+17", JG 71 'Richthofen', Deutsche Bundesluftwaffe; Wittmundhafen, 1995 (Whif) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The MiG-21G was optimized for the short-range interception role. The AN/APQ-159 provided sufficient all-weather capability, even though only two AIM-9 would be carried. Alternatively, in a secondary ground attack role, the MiG-21G could carry up to four BL-755 cluster bombs, iron bombs of up to 1.000 lb calibre or Matra pods with unguided missiles. The under-fuselage and outer wing pylons were wet to carry drop tanks, which were frequently carried due to the low range of the MiG-21, despite the new engine and the added fuel cell in the rear fuselage section.


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G; "24 17", JG 71 'Richthofen', Deutsche Bundesluftwaffe; Wittmundhafen, 1995 (Whif) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The first modernized MiG-21 became available in March 1992 and the aircraft were allocated to Jagdgeschwader 71 'Richthofen' at Wittmund and Jagdgeschwader 73 'Steinhoff' at Laage, the latter also operated the MiG-29G during that time. Tactical code numbers were kept from the preliminary registrations under which most of the MiG-21's from NVA/LSK had been taken over but written off. As a consequence, all MiG-21G had codes in in the 24 xx range but in inconsecutive order – an uncommon practice in the Luftwaffe arsenal!


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G; "24 17", JG 71 'Richthofen', Deutsche Bundesluftwaffe; Wittmundhafen, 1995 (Whif) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


JG71 actively used the MiG-21G in the QRA interception role over the North Sea, while JG73 focused more on dissimilar training for NATO partners with Soviet types - the aircraft were, together with the MiG-29G, frequently transferred to Decimonmannu Air Base on Sardinia for NATO air combat training, wher they were even pitted against Israeli F-15 fighters. All aircraft were piloted by former NVA pilots who already flown the type before, so that no special trainer was necessary and the former NVA's MiG-21UMs could be sold or scrapped. It was not planned to introduce new German pilots to the MiG-21G, since the aircraft was only seen as a stop-gap solution for the pending Typhoon.


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G; "24+17", JG 71 'Richthofen', Deutsche Bundesluftwaffe; Wittmundhafen, 1995 (Whif) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The MiG-21G modernization program was completed in August 1993 and an operational success, even though the program costs exploded, performance was not as good as expected and the aircraft only filled a very specialized gap within German boundaries. With upgraded F-4F KWS gradually being introduced in the mid-90ies, the MiG-21Gs were concentrated at JG71.

A total of three aircraft were lost during service. Finally in 2004, with the much delayed introduction of the Eurofighter Typhoon imminent, the decision was taken to retire the MiG-21G as quick as possible. JG 71's aircraft were withdrawn in August 2004, all airframes were scrapped.[/i]


General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 15.0m with pitot (49 ft 2.5 in)
Wingspan: 7.154 m (23 ft 5.66 in)
Height: 4.125 m (13 ft 6.41 in)
Wing area: 23.0 m2 (247.3 ft2)
Empty weight: 5.560 kg (12.246 lb)
Gross weight: 9.350 kg (20.594 lb)

Powerplant
1 × Turbo-Union RB199-34R Mk 103 afterburning turbofan with 43.8 kN (9.850 lbf) dry thrust and 76.8 kN (17.270 lbf) with afterburner

Performance
Maximum speed: 2.090 km/h (1.300 mph)
Maximum speed: Mach 2.1
Range: (internal fuel only) 1.400 km (870 ml)
Service ceiling: 17.600 m (58.500 ft)
Rate of climb: 225 m/s (44.280 ft/min)

Armament
1x internal 27 mm (1.063 in) Mauser BK-27 revolver cannon with 150 rounds
A total of max. 2.000 kg (4.405 lbs) of external ordnance on five hardpoints, including up to 4x AIM-9L Sidewinder AAMs (typically only two carried on the inner wing pylons), drop tanks (490l under the outer wings or max. 800l under the fuselage) and unguided bombs or missiles of up to 500kg (1.100 lbs) each.



The kit and its assembly:
Just in case you are in doubt: the German Luftwaffe never operated the MiG-21 actively, and the MiG-21G version is just a (maybe good?) story. Real world MiG-21s you might see with the Iron Cross were all written off, only used for tests at best. Officially they have never been with the active forces like the MiG-29, which were only operated at a basic level.

Anyway, the gap between the F-4Fs' retirement and the much delayed Eurofighter was a true fact, and the timing was right to come up with a "westernized" MiG-21bis, the most modern version which had been operated by the NVA/LSK before Germany's re-unification.

24+17 is a real registration number: this truly was a NVA/LSK MiG-21bis (a Fishbed N), formerly carrying the tactical code "837 red" (C/n 75051347), but this aircraft was withdrawn on 3rd of October 1990, as almost any other former NVA aircraft, and scrapped in Dresden on 2nd of February 1993.

The kit is a Mastercraft MiG-21 in 1:72 scale, one of the many clones of the vintage Kovozavody Prostejov (a.k.a. KP) kit with some mods, including engraved panel lines. It is a good basis for such a conversion since almost no part fits to another... It was cheap, though, but you get what you pay for. BTW: especially funny is the nicely depicted KM-1M ejection seat in the building instructions, with a detailed description and painting instructions - but the kit just includes a crude, L-shaped "thing" with a blob as a head rest...


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G (Whif) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G (Whif) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G (Whif) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G (Whif) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Additions include a new engine exhaust nozzle (a shortened piece from an Italeri F-15), the new gun blister under the fuselage, the IR sensor under the nose, a RHAWS pod on top of the fin and the extra air scoop at its base, the blow-in doors under the wing roots were opened, chaff/flare dispensers added from scratch, a pair of AIM-9Ls with respective launch rails and a different drop tank (from an Academy MiG-23).


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G (Whif) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


A new seat was added, from an Italeri Tornado, as well as a Matchbox pilot figure. Landing flaps and the rear fuselage air brake were opened for a more 'lively' look. Changes should only be visible at second glance and in superficial details, but still set this fantasy variant apart from the real thing - much like an IAI Kfir from a Mirage V.


Painting and markings:
This whif rather draws from its livery, even if it is subtle, too. For the MiG-21G I tried to transfer the German F-4F's so-called 'Norm 81A' paint scheme, which is appropriate for the model's time frame, even though rather late: Norm 90J was next, which was introduced with the F-4F KWS.


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G; "24+17", JG 71 'Richthofen', Deutsche Bundesluftwaffe; Wittmundhafen, 1995 (Whif) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G; "24+17", JG 71 'Richthofen', Deutsche Bundesluftwaffe; Wittmundhafen, 1995 (Whif) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Norm 81 is REALLY complex. There are two basic patterns, comprising alone four(!) grey tones for the upper sides, one light grey tone for the sides and then, additionally, a two-tone scheme for the lower sides! Huh!

Since these colors are all RAL tones, I had to approximate them:

Upper sides:
RAL 7009 Grüngrau à Revell 67 (authentic)
RAL 7012 Basaltgrau à Revell 77 (authentic)
RAL 7037 Staubgrau à Humbrol 106
RAL 7039 Quarzgrau à Humbrol 92 (not available anymore, used Revell 47)

Fuselage sides/fin:
RAL 7030 Steingrau à Revell 75 (authentic, but used Humbrol 64)

Lower sides:
RAL 7001 Silbergrau à Humbrol 127(used Humbrol 166)
RAL 7035 Lichtgrau à Humbrol 196 (used Humbrol 147, which is a tad darker)


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G (Whif) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G (Whif) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Authentic RAL tones are available (e .g. from Revell), but emulating them is not a true problem since the Norm 81 scheme quickly deteriorated and lightened up in real life, so much that you can hardly tell one color from another. Besides, you rarely see a 'clean' German F-4F in Norm 81 livery. Hence, the model received a double wash with very thin black ink and also a treatment with very fine sand paper, which helps blend color edges and creates pretty realistically 'worn' areas and flaws. This was further enhanced through  dry-brushing with shades of grey.


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G; "24+17", JG 71 'Richthofen', Deutsche Bundesluftwaffe; Wittmundhafen, 1995 (Whif) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G; "24+17", JG 71 'Richthofen', Deutsche Bundesluftwaffe; Wittmundhafen, 1995 (Whif) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Other external color mods are the di-electric panels, e .g. the shock cone in dark grey or the fin cap in medium grey instead of the typical bright green of Russian origin. I mixed Humbrol's 32 with 168, for an unidentifiable tone which was later dry-brushed with light grey for a worn and 'plastic-like' look.

The markings were puzzled together from various sources: national insignia, the tactical codes and the JG71 emblems come from TL Modellbau aftermarket sheets. Stencils and other small markings from a German MiG-21 and other appropriate scrapbox findings. Another nice detail are the formation light strips - it adds some color to the grey-in-grey aircraft.
A further 'copied' detail are the four thin white stripes on the radome, an idea I took from German Tornado fighter bombers.

Since Revell enamels do not go well with Humbrol matt varnish (which I prefer), I tried Revell's acryllic matt varnish - and the expeiment was a real success. Good stuff!



So, a small project with little effort – done in just four(!) days from sprues to varnish. Painting the model kit was the most complex task. But even though the MiG-21G looks a bit 'grey in grey', the result is pretty plausible, even elegant. Nice whif!


1:72 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21G; "24 17", JG 71 'Richthofen', Deutsche Bundesluftwaffe; Wittmundhafen, 1995 (Whif) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

[TheSybarite]

Very nice. Have always thought the Fishbed was a good-looking aircraft.

[bearmatt]

Very interesting idea and nicely put into practice! Looks good

[TallEng]

Norm 81 in its usual tatty state rather suits the Mig21 
Nicely done, and quite believable.

Regards
Keith

[NARSES2]

Now that's nice 

[Dizzyfugu]

Many thanks to all of you - highly appreciated! 

I was actually very amazed how "natural" the MiG looks in this shabby livery - as if it had always been the plan to have the machine in Luftwaffe colors. The finish also came out much better than expected, and for the rather poor/primitive kit base, the result is much better than even hoped for.

I mean, it is not a blatant whif, you have to look at least twice and there have been MiG-21s in Luftwaffe colors. But this one is so "underneath the radar", I am looking forward for the first critical comments at FlickR for forgery and confusion of the masses... 

[ysi_maniac]

Best modelling WWOOWW

[TomZ]

Great One 

TomZ

[Dizzyfugu]

Again, many thanks (Bedankt)! 

[nighthunter]

Dude, awesome work on your MiG-21, I was thinking of doing something similar, with Irish Air Corps colors instead, maybe the Luftwaffe sold them to Ireland? XD

[Geoff]

Like the model and believable backstory. Always been a fan of the Fishbed.

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

Norm 81 in its usual tatty state rather suits the Mig21 
Nicely done, and quite believable.

Regards
Keith

Completely agree. Excellent model and great presentation. 

Ian

[The Wooksta!]

Subtle and subversive whifferery is so much more fun than iut and out lunacy.

[PR19_Kit]

But there's still a place for complete lunacy here......... 

[James]

I'm a fan of MiG-21s and I'm a big fan of that one! Very good.