MiG-21bis vs Tornado

[Hiromachi]

Hey folks, I've been recently doing some translations and by "accident" I also had the following account translated. I figured it will be interesting to read and might bring you some excitement :pilotfly:

 

For a few years pilots of 1st Pucki Divizion in Gdynia were conducing joint flights over Baltic and Northern Sea with 2nd MFG (Marinefliegergeschwader 2) from Eggebek in Germany. And so in 2002 there was yet another exchange between the units and joint flights over Batlics. On 23rd September there was scheduled a group training in air to air combat between MiG-21 and Tornado aircraft, near Oksywie area. I was assigned to a second group, which due limited number of operational MiGs was comprised of one MiG-21 and two Tornados. After rejoining over the airfield, I led a pair of Tornados to TSA01A area (marked with red color on the picture). My MiG was equipped with training missile UZR-60 to record missile launch and photo camera SSh-45 to record gun firing. After reaching combat area we split. Tornados flew to the north-eastern direction, towards Górów Iłowacki and I flew towards Pasłęk. Once I reached designated part of combat area, on my command we began flight towards each other with simultaneous combat anticipation. Aerial combat is for a fighter pilot the most anticipated and demanding flight, where one can use all of the gathered skills and experience in piloting aircraft to the limit of its envelope. In this situation, additional attraction was the fact, that I was supposed to fight aircraft, which were commonly considered superior to MiG-21s. I knew that combat result largely depends on who will detect opponent first. Tornado crews had advantage over me, which I could not overcome for they had four pairs of eyes over my single pair. Despite that I still had 2 minutes of flight to merge point and from the very beginning I was instinctively searching the sky for any objects in front hemisphere. I had slightly superior tactical situation: sun was over my right wing, and Tornados were expected to appear on the left side. Additionally I had altostratus clouds behind me, which made my steel-grey aircraft harder to visually detect. To further reduce their chances in detecting my aircraft with their onboard equipment, I did not turn on my radar station, maintaining it on „stand by” mode. Regardless, in this good visibility conditions I was depending more on my eyes. Of course our airfield radar equipment „did not see” at that range so I could not count on any help from the outside.

 

Far on the horizon I noticed a single black dot, which was slowly moving (I estimated range of about 6 to 8 kilometers). Soon another speck appeared at the same altitude. I instinctively opened throttle and began rapidly climbing while still being 2 -3 km from the target flight direction. Having 1500 – 2000 m altitude advantage I began executing left hand turn towards the target, which did not change course (at that point I was certain they did not detect me). When targets were getting under my aircraft, I made a half roll and ended up behind them in a dive, having in front of me two Tornados, one straight ahead and second further to the right, in front. I was almost stunned that everything is happening so easily. I turned on missile launch switch and after acquiring seeker tone, at about 1000 – 1500 m range I pulled the launch trigger on the stick. Training missile recorded missile launch. Since I wanted to get pictures with guncamera from the close range, I’ve decided to press the attack. I was continuously closing the distance to a target and to make it easier to shoot with guns (and record with guncamera) I have decided to force target into maneuvering. I’ve turned on radar station and locked the target. Of course target reacted as I expected. After turning on the radar station, in their ccockpits a loud warning signal appeared from onboard RWR equipment and Tornado pilots began defensive maneuvers. My target, the one closer, made a sharp turn to the left and appeared in my sights approximately 400 – 300 m away. After a short burst I made a turn towards second Tornado, which tried to get on my tail. If I pressed the attack behind the first target, I would appear perfectly in the opponents sight, but with this maneuver I turned into him and got inside of his turn. Due to that I managed to deny him an opportunity to shoot at me. This part of the combat I have considered as done and I’ve commanded a break and return toward designated start areas.

 

After reaching designated area we began flight towards each other to conduct another combat. This time it did not end so easy. We have detected each other probably at the same time, thus we began climbing simultanously. When it became obvious that we have similar intentions, I have decided to deny them any opportunity to gain advantageous position and use of weapons: I turned towards them, while keeping an eye on enemy silhouette conducting turn. I knew that they will be attempting to get into a turnfight, in which they had an advantage. After merge in less than 200 m range with leader (wingman stayed some 300 m behind), Tornados began tight turn, to get on my tail. I on the other hand hit the minimum afterburner and began incomplete hammerhead (I struggle with translation, in Polish this maneuver is called – “przewrót” or “ranwers” and does not seem to have English translation) while continuously changing flight direction, to keep up with turning Tornados. I tried to get as fast as possible into vertical , as I’ve lost the sight on targets. Adrenaline rush made me feel no loads and only after taking a quick glance at the gauge, I’ve noticed that I was pulling around 7.5 G’s.

After ending up in the vertical, I began looking for a target and soon I found them which allowed me to relax, for I could see ahead of me two silhouettes, about 1.5 – 2 km ahead, in a tight turn. On a full afterburner I gained more altitude and tried to hit them with guns. I wrote that I tried, because I saw a full silhouette of the Tornado in my sights heading straight at me (I was inside of his turn). When you are pressing a headon attack the closure rate is very rapid, so I’ve decided not to shoot and concentrated on safe pass between the two of them. I wasn’t sure if they could see me and what maneuver are the performing after merge. This time around we passed each other in range I could describe as “visual”. Again I have decided to go up, to keep up with their tight turn and deny them any firing solution. Due to low fuel state we had to break off from the fight and head for the airfield. Later, after landing, when we debriefed entire combat, Tornado crews could not hide their surprise with the results. They did not expect, that a single MiG-21bis can be such a tough opponent and even gain the advantage. However, they were most devastated when I told them, that I only turned on radar to force them into maneuvering, exactly the very thing I was expecting them to do, and they involuntarily played into my game. Second combat was also counted for me, since they did not have a single opportunity to shoot at me. I don’t think I have to add, that this single fight gave me a lot of satisfaction and pride. MiG-21bis despite its age and not a modern equipment, turned out to be a fabulous opponent, hard to defeat and capable of conducting stealthy approach.

 

Lt. Cmdr. pilot Wojciech Łagódka

 

 

Credits: This text was written originally in Polish and does not belong to me. The author is the pilot himself, who posted it about 10 years ago on his own website dedicated to the MiG-21. That website is gone, but I saved the pdf back in the day. Think it was worth it.

 

[Kang]

Fascinating read, thank you for sharing!

 

(Also: M3 DCS Tornado confirmed!!! ;) )

[joey45]

I assume these were ADV Tornados.

[Cunctator]

Great read!

 

I assume these were ADV Tornados.

 

No, MFG 2 was equipped with the Tornado IDS, but the German Navy fighters trained for all missions. Germany did not purchase any ADVs.

[joey45]

So these were German Tornados???

[Hiromachi]

Yes.

[TLTeo]

In that case I would question the claim that the IDS is superior to the Mig-21Bis in air to air combat :P

Fun read though, thanks for sharing!

[Hiromachi]

It's not. Or not always as you can see. But pilot only wrote what was commonly accepted view back in the day. Undoubtedly Tornado is a substantially more modern and advnaced airframe if compared to MiG-21bis.

[Harlikwin]

Seems about right if the mig can survive to the merge.

[QuiGon]

Very interesting read! Thanks for sharing Hiromachi! :thumbup:

 

In that case I would question the claim that the IDS is superior to the Mig-21Bis in air to air combat :P

Fun read though, thanks for sharing!

Not just the aircraft, but also the pilots, as the Tornado IDS pilots usally don't do much A-A training at all.

[Hiromachi]

This joint operations started when Poland joined NATO. Either our German friends flew to Poland or we flew to Germany. In latter case trainigs were also conducted with German F-4 Phantoms. They comprised both air to air and ait to ground training. It was a good opportunity to exchange experiences and build some trust between the partners.

 

There is a fair amount of pictures from those days. I place them in spoiler:

 

 

Sources: http://aviateam.pl/historia/title;czar-wspomnien-squardon-exchange-czesc-1/

http://aviateam.pl/historia/title;babidolskie-olowki-w-eggebek-czesc-2/

 

 

[Yurgon]

Great read, thanks so much for sharing! :thumbup:

[dali]

sometimes correct tactics applied reduces paper advantage...

 

Indians proved it many times. US forces are too often way to predictable (contrary to the myth they believe in - that they are always superior due to "better equipment")

 

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/us-jet-fighters-are-back-india-wargames-last-two-times-indian-air-force-won-38232