In the 1950s, work was underway in the USSR on a supersonic frontline fighter. At the Mikoyan bureau, structurally similar experimental aircraft were being tested during this period: the Ye-2 and Ye-2A with swept wings, and the Ye-4 and Ye-5 with delta wings. Flight tests demonstrated the superior characteristics of the delta wing. Work on the Ye-2, Ye-2A, Ye-4, and Ye-5 (produced in a short series under the name MiG-21) was discontinued, with efforts concentrated on the most successful Ye-6, which was a development of the Ye-5.
The Ye-6 with the new R-11F-300 engine made its maiden flight in 1958. It entered production in 1959 as the MiG-21F. It was armed with two 30 mm cannons, bombs, or unguided rockets. In 1960, the MiG-21F-13 version entered production, armed with one cannon and K-13 guided missiles, which were copies of the American AIM-9 Sidewinder.
The MiG-21F-13 was produced under licence in China as the Shenyang J-7 and in Czechoslovakia. Poland was refused the production licence. In NATO code, the MiG-21F-13 bore the designation Fishbed-C. Poland purchased 25 aircraft, delivered between 1961 and 1963, operated until 1973/1974.
The example with side number 809 served in Polish aviation from 16.09.1963. It was operated by the 11th Fighter Aviation Regiment (FAR) of the National Air Defence in Debrzno, then the 40th FAR in Swidwin (from August 1964), and the 4th FAR in Goleniow (renamed the 2nd FAR in May 1967). After completing its service, the MiG-21F-13 ‘809’ was transferred to the Central Training Centre for Air Force Technical Specialists (COSSTWL) in Olesnica. The aircraft was transferred to the Polish Aviation Museum in 1990.
| Wingspan | 7.15 m |
| Length | 12.18 m |
| Takeoff weight | 8625 kg |
| Maximum speed | 2175 km/h |
| Ceiling | 19000 m |
| Range | 1580 km |
| Armament | NR-30 cannon cal. 30 mm, external: 2 R-3S air-to-air guided missiles / 2 UB-16 launchers for 57 mm S-5 unguided rockets, 2 S-24 unguided rockets cal. 240 mm / 2 bombs up to 500 kg |
| Engine | turbojet R-11F-300 with thrust of 5740 kG with afterburner |
