Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

Never has an aircraft served so long, and embodied what the Soviet Union better than the iconic Mig 21. This aircraft was a supersonic, second/third generation fighter that served in the  the Vietnam War, and the early Israeli conflicts. This aircraft was operated by most of Russia's allies both during and after the Soviet era.

The aircraft's design and capabilities embodied the Soviet unions communist opinion and what the union was planning. This aircraft could usually match or outmatch western fighters like no other fighter that was produced during the era of the aircraft.

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 15.76 m (51 ft 8.47 in)
• Wingspan: 7.154 m (23 ft 5.66 in)
• Height: 4.1 m (13 ft 5.41 in)
• Wing area: 23.0 m² (247.3 ft²)
• Empty weight: 4,871 kg (10,738 lb)
• Gross weight: 7,100 kg (15,650 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Tumansky R11F-300, 37.27 kN (8,380 lbf) thrust dry, 56.27 kN (12,650 lbf) with afterburner each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 2,125 km/h (1,385 mph)
• Maximum speed: Mach 2.05
• Range: 1,580 km (981 miles)
• Service ceiling: 19,000 m (62,335 ft)

 This aircraft has been in service for almost 60 years now, but it's design and capabilities will keep it flying for a long time. Maybe not in the Russian air force, but definitely in air forces that once supported the Soviet Union.