MiG-21 decoy aircraft

[Kekkonen]

MiG-21F was an early MiG-21 version which was in service with the Finnish Air Force between 1963-1986.

MiG-21bis was a more capable version that was in service in FAF between. 1978-1998

Old MiG-21F's that were replaced with the MiG-21bis were converted to bis-looking decoys, the point was not only that the Soviet Air Force would bomb the decoys instead of the real ones, but that they would not know which of the dispersed road bases (which exist all over Finland in large numbers) that were actually used since the decoy aircraft would be moved around during the nights with trucks and "false bases" would be set up. Said to have been a quite well-guarded secret.

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/1480/decoy19zc.jpg
Finnish MiG-21F made up to look like a MiG-21bis, with folding wings,
tail and pitot probe, it also has a MiG-21bis' serial. Not the only one
converted.

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/555/decoy24mb.jpg

http://www.***********/Bilder/Kuopio98_2.jpg
MiG-21F, compare with...

http://www.***********/Bilder/Kuopio98_4.jpg
...MiG-21bis

[perdurabo]

21bis has bigger nose than F and its clearly seen on that pics but probably on airpics or satelite images it wouldnt be noticable.

[Caraway]

Too bad you didn't post this in the Photo section of the board. Good post and interesting! :)

[Dalleer]

Cool.

Reminds me of similar methods that the Serbs used with their mock MIG-29's during the Nato air-campaign.

Verrrry sneaky...