Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA0142 Mig-21MF “6807”, Romanian Air Force, 1985

Die-cast metal. Superb detailing in 1/72 scale. Pre-painted with pad applied markings. Fully assembled. Canopy can open Pilot figure Display stand included. Option to display model with wheels up or down. Minimum use of plastic. Very collectable

The arrival of MiG-23MF from 1979 on did not change the role of the MiG-21 as the most important aircraft of the Fortele Aeriene Romane. The Mig-21MF (Fishbed J) was powered by the lighter and more powerful Tumansky R 13-300 Turbojet and was widely exported to all the Warsaw Pact countries. The most predominant visual feature difference between the MF and M is the periscope on top of the MF canopy. Romania received the first of their Mig-21MFs in 1971 and were re- designated Izdelie 96F.

In 1986, a year after political unrest and changes the Romanian Air Force re- introduced its former roundel that lacked the red star and consisted of a blue circle center surrounded by a yellow circle that is surrounded by a red circle. These colors are Romania’s National colors. It is during 1985 - 86 that the Mig-21s started to receive its new paint scheme. The color was similar to “ghost grey” and the aircraft were given a 4 digit serial. A typical load for air-to-air interception consisted of two R-3S (AA-2 Atoll) missiles on outboard under wing pylons, and two RS-2-U (AA-1 Alkali) missiles (mounted on APU-68UM launch rails) on inboard under wing pylons, as well as a single centre line drop tank. When it came to air-to-ground sorties the Mig-21s would carry UB-16-57 rocket launchers, 100kg bombs and a single centre line drop tank. In the mid 1990’s Romania’s economy was improving so it was decided to upgrade 114 Mig-21s. This upgrade would re-designate 6807 as a Mig-21 MF-75 LanceR C series and the aircraft would receive the grey white and light blue paint scheme it wears today.

Mig-21MF Specs:

Power Plant: One 41.55kN (9,340lb st) or 64.73kN (14,550lb st) with afterburner Tumansky R-13-300 turbojet Dimensions Wingspan: 7.15m (23ft 5½in) Length: 15.76m (51ft 8½in) - including Pitot boom Max T-O weight: 9,400kg (20,725lb)

Performance Max speed: Mach 2.1 (2,230km/h - 1,385mph) above 11,000m (36,000ft) Mach 1.06 (1,300km/h - 807mph) at low level Range: 1,100km (683 miles) - internal fuel only 1,800km (1,118 miles) - with three external drop tanks, one under fuselage, one under each wing Armament One 23mm twin-barrel GSh-23 cannon with 200 rounds in belly pack Various air-to-air and air-to-ground stores carried on four under wing pylons including: K-13A “Atoll” or “Advanced Atoll” a-a missiles, UV-16-57 rocket packs, S-24 a-s rockets, 250kg and 500kg bombs 1 X centre line drop tank.

THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES, NOT THE FINAL PRODUCT