Mikoyan MiG-21 RAF 134 Squadron

When the UK government terminated the English Electric Lightning program in 1958 the RAF was in need of a supersonic fighter. Any US aircraft proved to be too expensive and the British turned to the east.

The Soviet government offered the MiG-21 for sale to the RAF. In return for the fighters the British withdrew their nuclear arms from NATO. The first MiG-21s were delivered in 1961. Until 1970 a total of 125 aircraft were delivered. They remained in service until 1989.