migMAN_3

Hi There!

Big Mig-21 fan here--have been interested in aviation all my life. Your post made me create this account to ask you about your experiences flying the Mig-21MF. I am not a pilot, but I love flying the DCS Simulator with the Mig-21bis module.

You mentioned in another reply that you wanted to practice new tactics but the upper echelon didn't approve. I'm really sorry to hear that. At least from my experiences in DCS, the only way I can overcome an F-15 is by flying low ~1500-2000m. The challenge beyond actually not getting blown out of the sky by a beyond visual range missile is staying high enough to let the radar work, but low enough to not be readily visible to enemies.

My question to you: Would you have considered turning off the radar altogether and flying below 1000m? The Mig-21 manual pretty much says not to do this, but I too wonder about how to use the Mig-21 to bring down more modern aircraft.

Still, its amazing how long this aircraft has served, and it still can hold its own in some theaters of war.

Thanks for the AMA. Glad to hear you are alive with a safe family.

Thank you very much for your reply; to this post and all the others. I will try tackling the F-15c at lower altitude. Everything you said lines up with my experiences. I think I have been flying too high!

On the radar subject, I believe you are correct. If I'm not mistaken, the F-15c modeled in DCS is equipped with a late model APG-63 radar that is definitely beyond visual range. 100km sounds about right.

Wasn't surprised to read earlier that you find landing the plane a bit of a handful. I can't believe how fast (~340km/h) you have to go to land--any slower and those tiny delta wings just give up!

It's a privilege to communicate with you. I wish you and your family health and prosperity. Just an idea: If you are interested in flying again, I believe there are private companies, such as Draken International, that operate the Mig-21UM and Mig-21bis here in the US. My understanding is that they fly their Mig-21s against US Air Force pilots to train them in combat "aggressor squadrons." (Source: http://www.drakenintl.com/news-2013-4.html).