Mikoyan MiG-21 Fishbed and its Three Generations

Recently I bumped into a lot of articles regarding Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 and mostly its Bison variant. In many of them, this is quoted as a 4th generation MiG-21 and 3rd and sometimes even fourth generation jet fighter, none of which is true.
MiG-21 and its variants are divided into three main generations. It is a rather confusing subject and with this video I will try to clear that up, expressing my point of view and my knowledge based on the research that I've done.
Modeling-wise, I won't go very deep, but will barely touch the surface of the subject. Unlike most of the videos in my channel, this will be more real-life oriented one.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 #Fishbed is a legend, approaching its 70th birthday and I believe that it deserves it.
Hopefully you will find it helpful and it will clear the mist, especially around MiG-21 Lancer and #MiG21 Bison variants, alongside with the rest.
To sum it up here:
1st Generation #Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG21s are:
MiG-21F, MiG-21F-13
2nd Generation MiG-21s are:
MiG-21PF, MiG-21FL, MiG-21PFS, MiG-21PFM
3rh Generation Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21s are:
MiG-21M, MiG-21R, MiG-21SM, MiG-21MF, MiG-21SMT, MiG-21bis
Upgrade packages of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21s are:
MiG-21 Lancer /MF/, MiG-21-93 /bis/, MiG-21-97 /RD-33 engine/.
Lancer and -93 AKA Bison are in use, MiG-21-97 never happened for the customers.
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[@brianc1701]

Great rundown on all the different variants, learned a lot! Thanks, Mitko!!!

[@DNModels]

I will be more than glad if this video could help. MiG-21 is a deep and obscure subject when it comes down to different modifications.

[@agdgdgwngo]

Totally with you on Eduards migs. Really nice kits, just lacking the F13, BIS and Bison for me. I'd personally buy all of these, not to mention an SMT in 1/72

[@DNModels]

Bis is easily doable, there is a resin conversion. Bison, not so sure, but I think I saw a conversion set somewhere. But F-13 is desperately needed. As well as the others OOTB of course.

[@seanfoster3052]

I believe there is a BIS weekend edition due out this year

[@DNModels]

@@seanfoster3052 Probably, but still it won't feature the correct nose appearance.

[@Ala13ManOWar]

I believe that difference from MF and SM variants was mostly about the RP-21 and RP-22 radar mounted on each one. Probably some other minor differences were present with regards to equipment (RWR for instance, or the like), but it's not like any of those are a problem for modellers I guess. Very nice vid, and great tips from the actual pilots knowing the models. Thanks!!

[@DNModels]

Some MFs came out with cockpit layout similar to bis. I've seen two options.

[@Ala13ManOWar]

@@DNModels Yeah, I've listened that too, and that definitely can be a problem for modellers :) . But radar wasn't different because that cockpit layout, I believe, but between export and Russian variants.

[@jabonorte]

Really useful guide, Mitko!

[@DNModels]

I hope I made it understandable for everyone!

[@thedubstepaddict3675]

Thsnk you really interesting! I am currently building the eduard MF interceptor kit, and talked to a couple east german ground crew and pilots who had some crazy stories, including shooting one of the ground crew off his bike with an unguided rocket!

[@robrodney1435]

Good video. I'm wondering what the reason is for the thick spine joining the canopy on the second generation planes. Is that to hold radar or something else?

[@DNModels]

Radar is in the nose cone.

[@Suo_kongque]

From what I know it has a fuel tank

[@madaxe606]

The dorsal spine holds additional fuel and also some avionics equipment.

[@miquelescribanoivars5049]

31:30 What about the Mirage F1 and (arguably) the SAAB 37?

[@zhic8086]

I always wonder if the MF and 'BIS use different type of cannon magazine to feed the gsh 23 gun. Maybe the MF use a wrapped around ammo belt like the first gen Mig 21, and BIS used a ammo box type magazine like the one on Mig 23. Do you have any info on this? Thanks..

[@DNModels]

No, never have been interested in armament particularly. Mostly aerodynamics and engine performance

[@dandanita1692]

wheres your su-33 Mitko ? did you buy one ? are you doing a review soon ?

[@DNModels]

Stashed. And for very long time probably

[@richardnevermore8536]

Where have you been?

[@DNModels]

All around the World!

[@miquelescribanoivars5049]

So... which generation did the MiG-21S belong to?

[@rubin7967]

Both second and third generation fighter jet. Early MiG 21 are Second Generation Fighter Jet as an Interceptor. The much more later modernized airframe is Third Generation, its still an interceptor but its have much more modernized cockpit and able to use much better missiles while having better avionics and weight takeoff.

[@miquelescribanoivars5049]

@@rubin7967 I mean to which major generation of MiG-21 variants the MiG-21 *S* belonged to. Not at which wider combat jet generation the MiG-21 belongs as a whole (btw, OP argues second generation all throught).

[@reedman0780]

​@@miquelescribanoivars5049 hello, I know this is an old comment but just to let you know, the 21S iirc used the first generation airframe, and probably used the R-13-300 tumansky engine used in the 2nd generation MiG-21MF+ airframes