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MiG-21 Fishbed vs Tu-128 Fiddler

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇷🇺 MiG-21 Fishbed
Tupolev Tu-128 Fiddler combat aircraft side profile drawing
🇷🇺 Tu-128 Fiddler
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Specifications
MiG-21 Fishbed Tu-128 Fiddler
Origin country 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR 🇷🇺 Ex-USSR
Category Combat Aircraft Combat Aircraft
Manufacturer Mikoyan-Gurevich Tupolev
First flight 16 June 1955 18 March 1961
Year introduced 1958 1963
Number produced 11496 units 198 units
Average unit price $2 million $7 million
Wing area 23.0 m² 80.0 m²
Wingspan 7.2 m 18.1 m
Height 4.1 m 7.0 m
Length 13.5 m 27.2 m
Maximum speed 2125 km/h 1665 km/h
Operational range 660 km 2,565 km
Service ceiling 19,000 m 15,600 m
Max. takeoff weight 8,625 kg 43,000 kg
Empty weight 4,871 kg 24,500 kg
Total thrust 1 x 4,689 kgf 2 x 10,105 kgf
Performance Radar Chart

Overview

The MiG-21 Fishbed and the Tu-128 Fiddler are both Combat Aircraft, manufactured by Mikoyan-Gurevich and Tupolev respectively.

Top speed is 2,125 km/h for the MiG-21 Fishbed vs 1,665 km/h for the Tu-128 Fiddler. The MiG-21 Fishbed has an operational range of 660 km vs 2,565 km for the Tu-128 Fiddler. The MiG-21 Fishbed operates at altitudes up to 19,000 m compared to 15,600 m for the Tu-128 Fiddler. At 43,000 kg MTOW, the Tu-128 Fiddler is 5.0x the MiG-21 Fishbed's 8,625 kg.

The MiG-21 Fishbed has been produced in 11,496 units vs 198 for the Tu-128 Fiddler. Unit cost is $2M for the MiG-21 Fishbed vs $7M for the Tu-128 Fiddler. The MiG-21 Fishbed first flew 6 years before the Tu-128 Fiddler (1955 vs 1961).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Tu-128 Fiddler?
The MiG-21 Fishbed is faster with a maximum speed of 2,125 km/h compared to the Tu-128 Fiddler's 1,665 km/h, a difference of 460 km/h.
Which has longer range, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Tu-128 Fiddler?
The Tu-128 Fiddler has a longer range at 2,565 km compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 660 km.
Which can fly higher, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Tu-128 Fiddler?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has a higher service ceiling at 19,000 meters (62,335 ft) compared to the Tu-128 Fiddler's 15,600 meters (51,181 ft).
Which is heavier, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Tu-128 Fiddler?
The Tu-128 Fiddler has a higher maximum takeoff weight at 43,000 kg compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 8,625 kg.
Which is larger, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Tu-128 Fiddler?
The Tu-128 Fiddler is longer at 27.2 meters compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed's 13.5 meters.
Which is more expensive, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Tu-128 Fiddler?
The Tu-128 Fiddler is more expensive at approximately $7.0 million per unit compared to the MiG-21 Fishbed at $2.0 million.
Which entered service first, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Tu-128 Fiddler?
The MiG-21 Fishbed entered service first in 1958, 5 years before the Tu-128 Fiddler which entered service in 1963.
Which has been built in greater numbers, the MiG-21 Fishbed or Tu-128 Fiddler?
The MiG-21 Fishbed has been produced in greater numbers with 11,496 units compared to 198 units of the Tu-128 Fiddler.