MiG-21R (L-14I)
In parallel with the development of the fighter variant, during 1965, a reconnaissance version of the MiG-21R aircraft was designed. The MiG-21PFM variant, which underwent certain changes, was taken as the basis. First, the ridge behind the cabin was increased, in order to increase the capacity of the tank by an additional 300 liters of fuel. Then, the underbody container with the GŠ-23L gun was removed, and two additional suspension supports were installed under the wings.
It was the first Soviet supersonic aircraft intended for electronic reconnaissance of the enemy. The reconnaissance equipment is placed in a special underbody container, in contrast to Western-made aircraft, where the reconnaissance photo-equipment was installed in the fuselage. Depending on the mission, equipment for night, day and electronic recording could be installed. Although equipped for reconnaissance, this version could also be used in combat missions.
The Yugoslav Air Force owned a total of 12 MiG-21R (L-14I) aircrafts, which were in operational use from 1968 to 2004. In the reconnaissance units, they replaced RT-33 and IF-86D aircraft. During the war in 1991, 3 MiG-21Rs were lost. Two examples of this aircraft were awarded to the Aeronautical Museum in 2003. The MiG-21R with registration number 26105 and factory number 1709 is displayed on the outdoor exhibition. On it is a container that contained reconnaissance equipment.
