On a dark and rainy day..

Photo by Tuomo T. Mäkinen

After the French armed forces were kicked out of Madagascar in the mid 1970's, the country turned to and came under the influence of communist states. Thus, Madagascar started to receive at least twelve Mig-21's from the USSR (to defend itself against an "apparent aggressive" South Africa, so the explanation goes). Of that batch, two were dual seater MiG-21UM, and 291 shown here is in relative good shape (but far from airworthy) when pictured at the "Base Aéronavale d'Ivato - BANI", the military section of TNR International. The 2nd MiG-21UM "339" is preserved at the Hatzerim Museum, Israel.

This Mig should represent a belgium fighter in a film.

This Mig should represent a belgium fighter in a film.

Painted in a fantasy camouflage colours for a film.

This Mig should represent a belgium fighter in a film.

The Mongol-B was in service with the Bulgarian AF from 1974 until 2012. This particular example first flew in January 1980 and made its last flight in November 2005. It arrived at the museum for display in 2013.

This Mongol-B is preserved in the courtyard of one the university buildings in central Plovdiv.

Lovely sleek lines of the MiG-21. 203 was delivered to the NVA and Taktische Aufklärungsfliegerstaffel 87 (TAFS-87, as pictured) in May 1972 and handed over to the Luftwaffe as 23+84 on 3 October 1990. The dual seater was withdrawn from use at Drewitz in July 1991 and scrapped at Dresden one year later.

For many years, from 6 September 1996 to be exact, this Hungarian MiG-21UM is on display with car company Aktief, the local Nissan dealer in St. Isidorushoeve. The cars present may give a clue when this picture was taken, within a year after its arrival. The aircraft is still present at this location in 2024.

The Military Exposition Michael Strenk is a small collection of aircraft and military vehicles lacated in north eastern Slovakia. Strenk was born in a neighbouring village in November 1919 and later emigrated to the US with his family. he excelled at school, at music and playing baseball. Unfortnately, WWII arrived so Strenk enlisted in the US Army hoping to expel the Nazis from his native Slovakia. Instead he was sent to the Pacific and became one of the soldiers that raised the American flag on the hill after the battle of Iwo-Jima. A few days later he was killed by an exploding shell.

This ex-Polish AF MiG is on display at this private collection. The collection are happy to allow visitors but please always have the courtesy to ask at reception for permission to enter the site.