Markings for MiG-21R 1/72
COL A
Air Test Department, Czech Air Force, Čáslav Air Base, Czech Republic, 1994
The appearance of the MiG-21R No. 1501 (s/n 94R001501) changed many times during its service in the Czechoslovak and Czech Air Force. Delivered in natural metal finish, it served in that form until general overhaul when a green and brown camouflage was applied. The black and white checkerboard on the rudder and triangles on the nose were painted afterwards. The aircraft was delivered to Czechoslovakia in January 1969 and was flown by the 47th Reconnaissance Air Regiment till 1993. In 1994, after overhaul, it was flown by the 28th Fighter-Bomber Air Regiment for a short period and then used by the Air Test Department (also known as 'Stress Flight') during late 1994 and 1995. The 47th Recce Air Regiment unit badge – a jackal head – is painted on the port side of the nose. The nickname of ground personnel member DOKTOR is painted on the canopy frame. Currently, the aircraft is preserved in Prague-Kbely Air Museum.
COL B
353 izviđačka eskadrila (353rd Reconnaissance Air Squadron), Ratno vazduhoplovstvo i protivvazdušna odbrana, Zelyava Air Base, Yugoslavia, 1971
The Yugoslav Air Force purchased a dozen MiG-21Rs from the Soviet Union. These were delivered either in 1968 or 1969 and served under the local type designation L-14I. The first user of Aircraft 26104 was the 126 Reconnaissance Squadron that flew all of the Yugoslav MiG-21Rs. This Squadron was a part of the 204 Fighter Air Regiment. The next users of this aircraft were the 352 and 353 Reconnaissance Squadrons, before it was scrapped at Kraljevo. The white lightning appeared on the nose during “Sloboda” military exercise in 1971.
COL C
263 Independent Reconnaissance Air Squadron, Soviet Air Force, Kabul Airfield, Afghanistan, 1981
Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, recce aircraft appeared at local airfields. The 263 Independent Reconnaissance Air Squadron (ORAE) moved to Afghanistan in early January 1980 and found its home at Bagram and Kandahar air bases. The squadron began to fly their aircraft from Kabul in late April 1980 and stayed there till 1984. The MiG-21R depicted was one of the recce aircraft that operated from this air base. The camouflage scheme was created to match the appearance of the local landscape. Many Soviet aircraft flown in Afghanistan were equipped with chaff and flare dispensers. These could be carried by this specific aircraft as well, however they are not visible in photographs.
COL D
32 Tactical Reconnaissance Air Regiment, Wojska Lotnicze i Obrony Powietrznej, Sochaczew-Bielice Air Base, Poland, early 1980s
MiG-21R s/n 94R011423 was delivered to Poland on September 29, 1968, along with another “R”. These two units were the first MiG-21Rs to arrive in Poland. The aircraft No. 1423 was flown by the 41 Fighter Air Regiment based at Malbork Air Base for a short period of time. On July 8, 1969, the aircraft was overhanded to the 21st Tactical Reconnaissance Air Regiment and moved to Sochaczew. From December 1982, it entered the inventory of the 2nd Squadron, 32 Tactical Reconnaissance Air Regiment. Service with this unit was symbolized by the squadron badge on the port side of the nose, while the starboard side sports the 32 Tactical Reconnaissance Air Regiment unit badge. This aircraft is preserved at the air museum in Drzonow, Poland.
COL E
Defensa Anti-Aérea y Fuerza Aérea Revolucionaria, Cuba, 1980s-1990s
The Cuban Air Force obtained twelve MiG-21Rs in total. These were delivered from the Soviet Union and put into service in 1968. Aircraft No. 111 can be seen at the air museum in Havana. The green and blue camouflage scheme was recently seen on Cuban Air Force aircraft. The instrument panel of this MiG is painted black despite the specification calling for turquoise. Cuban MiG-21Rs were typically armed with two R-3S missiles mounted along with recce pod and two external 490l fuel tanks.