Russian Mig 21 lands in Christchurch
April 10th 2007 08:58
Hi everyone
Now I was cycling to work this morning and came across this and thought 'Hmmm, not something you see everyday a Russian Mig 21
.
From what I can gather, this is for advertising a new vodka bar that has opened in the lanes behind it. This is a pretty cool area with some great shops and bars like Root and Minx, so well worth a visit if you are in Christchurch.
As I was having a look around the net, I came across this interesting piece:
Russian MiG up for sale on eBay
Not airworthy says the small print
by Amber Maitland
15 January 2007 - There's a Russian fighter jet up for sale on eBay, but if you miss this one, that sellers got a couple more stashed away that he'll be glad to sell to you.
Arsik1950 who has sold one item on eBay, listed the MiG 21F aircraft at just over $20,000, and the winning bid at the moment is $26,600.
Not bad for an aeroplane, I hear you say, but this one doesn't fly any more. It's a one cabin “demilitarizated” fighter from the USSR that, in its heyday, could reach 1385mph.
The seller has clarified that the demilitarization of the plane means that all weapon systems have been removed, the ejector seat is gone, all military components, including radar, have been removed, and the aircraft is not airworthy.
Transport to get the plane to the winning bidder is expected to cost $5000, as the plane is in a hanger in the Czech Republic. (net sourced)
The MiG-21 is considered the world's most successful jet fighter, in terms of numbers produced and world-wide use. Reportedly some 25,000 were built in a production run spanning nearly three decades, and the type has been flown by at least 37 air forces--mostly aligned with the former Soviet Union.
Designed in 1954 and first flown in 1956, the MiG-21 was immediately recognized as a threat by NATO air arms, which code named it "Fishbed". Though rated at Mach two (twice the speed of sound), the -21 was limited to about Mach 1.8 with a useful load.
The claim is made that the MiG-21 has been flown in every war or conflict since the 1960s, except the 1982 Falklands War. However, despite its wide use, as a fighter-interceptor the Fishbed remains a loser in overall combat. Primarily engaged in various Arab-Israeli conflicts and the Vietnam War, it has seldom been as well flown as its opponents, resulting in a negative kill-loss ratio. However, over North Vietnam the MiG-21 was the primary aerial threat to U.S. aircrews, with 83 Fishbed shot down versus at least 46 American fighters lost to the same type.
Most recently employed in the war with Iraq, the -21 is giving way to a new generation of Russian jets. Nevertheless, it remains an important benchmark in the history of fighter aviation (net sourced)
(net sourced)
Now I was cycling to work this morning and came across this and thought 'Hmmm, not something you see everyday a Russian Mig 21
.
From what I can gather, this is for advertising a new vodka bar that has opened in the lanes behind it. This is a pretty cool area with some great shops and bars like Root and Minx, so well worth a visit if you are in Christchurch.
As I was having a look around the net, I came across this interesting piece:
Not airworthy says the small print
by Amber Maitland
15 January 2007 - There's a Russian fighter jet up for sale on eBay, but if you miss this one, that sellers got a couple more stashed away that he'll be glad to sell to you.
Arsik1950 who has sold one item on eBay, listed the MiG 21F aircraft at just over $20,000, and the winning bid at the moment is $26,600.
Not bad for an aeroplane, I hear you say, but this one doesn't fly any more. It's a one cabin “demilitarizated” fighter from the USSR that, in its heyday, could reach 1385mph.
The seller has clarified that the demilitarization of the plane means that all weapon systems have been removed, the ejector seat is gone, all military components, including radar, have been removed, and the aircraft is not airworthy.
Transport to get the plane to the winning bidder is expected to cost $5000, as the plane is in a hanger in the Czech Republic. (net sourced)
The MiG-21 is considered the world's most successful jet fighter, in terms of numbers produced and world-wide use. Reportedly some 25,000 were built in a production run spanning nearly three decades, and the type has been flown by at least 37 air forces--mostly aligned with the former Soviet Union.
Designed in 1954 and first flown in 1956, the MiG-21 was immediately recognized as a threat by NATO air arms, which code named it "Fishbed". Though rated at Mach two (twice the speed of sound), the -21 was limited to about Mach 1.8 with a useful load.
The claim is made that the MiG-21 has been flown in every war or conflict since the 1960s, except the 1982 Falklands War. However, despite its wide use, as a fighter-interceptor the Fishbed remains a loser in overall combat. Primarily engaged in various Arab-Israeli conflicts and the Vietnam War, it has seldom been as well flown as its opponents, resulting in a negative kill-loss ratio. However, over North Vietnam the MiG-21 was the primary aerial threat to U.S. aircrews, with 83 Fishbed shot down versus at least 46 American fighters lost to the same type.
Most recently employed in the war with Iraq, the -21 is giving way to a new generation of Russian jets. Nevertheless, it remains an important benchmark in the history of fighter aviation (net sourced)
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Comment by NoaIzumi
Fine Politics
Anime Bottle
The MiG-21 could be deadly in the right hands, though. The top three North Vietnamese pilots were all Fishbed drivers, and the high scorer had nine confirmed victories, including three Phantoms.