Eduard – 2151 – MiG-21bis DUAL COMBO

Description:

The MiG-21bis was one of the final and most advanced variants of the legendary Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, a Soviet supersonic jet fighter that became one of the most produced and widely used combat aircraft in history. Introduced in the early 1970s, the MiG-21bis represented the pinnacle of the design, combining improved avionics, radar, and engine performance to extend the platform’s relevance well into the late Cold War era.

The “bis” (meaning “second” or “again” in French/Russian military terminology) featured the Tumansky R-25-300 turbojet engine, giving it better thrust-to-weight ratio and acceleration, especially in afterburner. It could reach speeds of over Mach 2.0 and had improved climb and turn rates compared to earlier versions. Its RP-22 Sapfir radar, enhanced cockpit systems, and compatibility with newer air-to-air missiles like the R-60 (AA-8 Aphid) made it a more effective dogfighter and interceptor.

In addition to its air-superiority role, the MiG-21bis could also perform ground attack missions, carrying bombs, rocket pods, and gun pods. It remained in frontline service in many air forces through the 1980s and 1990s, and even into the 21st century in some countries thanks to upgrades and modernization programs.

Visually, the MiG-21bis is nearly identical to earlier variants like the MF, but with some subtle changes in intake cone profile and external equipment. For aviation enthusiasts and modelers, it remains a fascinating subject due to its sleek design, Cold War legacy, and diverse combat service across the globe.

Eduard introduces with this release, and for first time, the MiG-21bis in their range, after a wide and good legacy of mainly MiG-21MF variants in the past. The DUAL COMBO box features parts enough for two full models, with pre-painted PE (photo-etched) parts for both and an excellent selection of 10 different markings with a wide range of different operators of the type which will give you an idea of how widely the MiG-21 was exported from Cuba to India. The kit and markings include some differences between the Fishbed-L, Lazur-equipped avionics package or the Fishbed-N, with Polyot ILS system.

Markings:

• MiG-21bis Fishbed-L, c/n 75061904, 2 Fighter Squadron, Taszár Air Force Base, Hungary, 1993
• MiG-21bis Fishbed-N, 115 GIAP, Soviet VVS, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, 1980
• MiG-21BIS Fishbed-N, c/n 75084300, HävLLv 31, Kuopio airbase, Finland, 1980 – 1981
• MiG-21bis Fishbed-L, No. 47 Squadron, Iraqi Air Force, Al Hurrya Air Base, Iraq, 1990
• MiG-21bis Fishbed-N, Free Libyan Air Force, Tobruk, Libya, November 2011
• MiG-21bis Fishbed-N, 797, German Democratic Republic, Holzdorf, 1990
• MiG-21bisD Fishbed-L, Eskadrila borbenih aviona, HRZ i PZO, Zagreb-Pleso, Croatia, December 2016
• MiG-21bis Fishbed-L, San Antonio de los Baños, Cuba, 1990
• MiG-21bis Fishbed-N, c/n 75080880, 1 Pucki DLMW, Lotnictwo Marynarki Wojennej, Gdynia-Babie Doły, Poland, late 1997
• MiG-21bis Fishbed-N, C2776, No. 26 Squadron “The Warriors”, Indian Air Force, Adampur, 1990