The museum's MiG-21 is a real mystery ship--The USAF gave it to NASM in 1991, but they won't say where they got it! Some writing in arabic was found behind the ejection seat, providing a clue as to its origins.

Developed on basis of experience of air combat in Korea and eventually became most widely used fighter in the world. Initial production version, MiG-21F, Fishbed-A, built only in limited numbers. First series aircraft, -21F, Fishbed-C, was clear-weather fighter with IR air-to-air homing missiles. Some of more important variants--Fishbed D through N--as follows:

• MiG-21 PF: limited all-weather version of F
• Fishbed-E: similar to C with provisions for underbelly gun pack housing 2 23 mm guns
• MiG-21 FL: export version of late model MiG-21 PF series
• MiG-21PFM: Fishbed-F, incorporated all improvements introduced on PF and PFS
• Fishbed G; experimental STOL version of PFM with 2 vertically mounted lift engines in lengthened center section
• MiG-21 PFMA, Fishbed-J: multi-role version basically similar to PFM
• MiG-21M: similar to PFMA with internal gun pack
• MiG-21R: Fishbed-H, tactical recce version basically similar to PFMA but with more powerful and lighter Tumansky R-13-300 engine, entered service Soviet AF 1970
• MiG-21RF: Fishbed-H, tactical reconnaissance version of MF
• MiG-21SMT; Fishbed-K, similar to MF but with more fuel and ECM capability
• MiG-21bis: Fishbed-L, third-generation multi-role air combat/ground attack version with updated avionics and improved construction standards
• MiG-21bis: Fishbed-N, advanced version of L, standard equipment of Soviet Air Force for several years
• Mig-21U (Mongol): 2-seat training version
• MiG-21US Mongol-B: 2-seat trainer counterpart of MF. Versions of MF, especially prepared for record breaking established max level speed of M = 2.1, and max low-level speed of M = 1.06.

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