Markings for MiG-21PFM 1/48
Le Thanh Dao, 927 Fighter Regiment, Lam Son AB, Democratic Republic of Vietnam, May 1972
On May 10, 1972, Vietnamese pilots Le Thanh Dao and his wingman Vu Duc Hop took off in their MiG-21PFMs and intercepted an F-4J Phantom II from a VF-92 heading for a target west of Hai Phong. Le Thanh opened fire and hit the Phantom, which crashed near Hai Duong. The crew of the aircraft, Cdr. Harry Blackburn and Lt. Steve Rudloff, managed to eject from the burning machine. After leaving the military service, Le Thanh served as Second Secretary of the Central Executive Committee of the Youth Union and was a member of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly (1975). Since 1992, he has been Chairman of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and a member of the Executive Committee of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The Mig-21PFM, with which Le Thanh achieved the above-mentioned kill, was painted dark green over its entire surface, which was complemented by irregular fields of lighter green on the upper surfaces. Le Thanh Dao scored six kills during the Vietnam conflict.
3 Squadron, 11 Fighter Aviation Regiment, Czechoslovak Air Force, Žatec, Czechoslovakia, 1987-1991
Aircraft No. 7207 served from May 31, 1968, until March 20, 1991, exclusively with the 11 Fighter Aviation Regiment in Žatec. The aircraft’s retirement under the Conventional Disarmament Treaty in Europe is evidenced by the yellow stripe around the fuselage. After the breakup of Czechoslovakia into two successor states, No. 7207 aircraft became Slovak property and in 1994 it travelled by train to the Slovak base at Sliač. On the surface of the aircraft, which remained in natural metal finish, one can see repairs covered with silver paint. The Žatec town emblem is located only on the left side of the nose, the masonry in the emblem is painted white. The emblem does not display hop branches therefore it can be concluded that the aircraft belonged to the 3rd Squadron of the 11 Slp.
No. 9 Squadron IrAF, Iraq Air Force, Saddam AB, Iraq, 1973
No. 9 Squadron of the Iraqi Air Force was equipped with MiG-21PFMs acquired from the former USSR in 1969-1970. After Egypt and Syria started a new war with Israel in early October 1973, No. 9 Squadron IrAF was relocated to Syria. It is noteworthy that the MiG-21PFMs sent by the IrAF to Syria were originally unpainted, they received their camouflage paint afterwards and it was done in standardized SyAAF colors. Later the pilots returned the aircraft to Iraq with these colors and the livery was retained on the aircraft until the end of their service with the IrAF.
299 Naval Fighter-bomber Regiment, Saki airfield, Crimea, Soviet Union, spring 1980 - 1989
This MiG-21PFM was operated by the 2nd Squadron, 299 Naval Fighter-bomber Regiment of the Soviet Navy. In naval aviation, the squadron usually had eight MiG-21PFMs and four MiG-21UMs in its armament. The aircraft were used for training, practicing advanced piloting techniques (UM) and maintaining readiness of the pilots. In 1989-90, these MiGs were retired and replaced by Su-25s attack aircraft.