Considered much too short-ranged and poorly armed, by 1987 the MiG-21 was replaced by the MiG-23 as the primary combat aircraft of the Angolan Air Force and Air Defence Force. The MiG-21 was thus relegated to the fighter-bomber role and, flown by Angolan pilots, exclusively deployed FAB-250M-62 (shown here, on the inboard underwing pylon) or FAB-500M-62 ‘general purpose’ bombs during the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. All Angolan MiG-21bis wore the standard camouflage pattern applied pre-delivery, consisting of beige (BS381C/388) and olive green (BS381C/Ü298) on upper surfaces and sides, and light admiralty grey (BS381C/697) on undersurfaces. Drop tanks were usually left in bare metal. Serials — always prefixed with C (for Caça), and applied in red — were in the range C301-C396, while national markings are confirmed as applied on the fin only. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)