MiG-21bis VR simulator

DESIGN PRINCIPLE

The MiG-21bis was first experiment of AFormX in the field of VR simulators.

The current commercial success of this simulator was totally unplanned and unexpected, as the project was designed as a purely internal learning project that was a lot of fun to build and fly.

This choice of the MiG-21 as our entry project was based on two good reasons:

  • A high fidelity VR model of the aircraft was available so we could concentrate our development on integration and hardware part. A benefit of an available model was that we could fly the simulator immediately.
  • We have in-house knowledge of this particular aircraft. One of our senior advisers is one of the most experienced MiG-21 instructors worldwide. With this simulator, the development team could experience of learning a totally new skill (flying a non-fly-by wire, delta-winged, supersonic interceptor) through a VR simulator. This gave the team a new outlook and a deeper understanding for this form of learning. This was used to a great extent in all the following projects, especially in X-ALPHA.
Our first VR experiment
First experiment with VR goggles in March 2015.

BUILD PROCESS

The AFormX and Akademija 4 teams loved the initial testing experience. We loved it so much that what started as a fun, research and learning project, grew into an VR based mechanical sculpture several hundred kilograms heavy.

Construction of the mechanical system of the simulator.

Linking original, unrestored MiG-21 parts from eBay with the latest VR technology provided a huge creative outlet. Through the following months we had created a large framed structure for placing the original MiG-21 cockpit parts including a complete KM-1 ejection seat.

The MiG-21bis simulator is a sculpture fusing of high-technology and heritage.

Since the simulator evolved into a modern piece of art, it was leased by the The Herman Potočnik Noordung Center of Space Technologies. At this organisation the simulator entered into public use in spring 2017, which was again a new experience for both Noordung and AFormX teams. It significantly helped to revitalise the Noordung centre and the commercial results were encouraging.

The rent contract of the simulator ended in November 2017, but was extended to end of January due to the high popular demand and acclaim. With March 2018 the simulator became part of the Park of Military History, Pivka, Slovenia museum exhibition. The placement of the MiG-21bis simulator at Pivka is thematically logical and sustainable.

RESULTS

In the three years since the AFormX MiG is operating in Pivka it has been was flown by more than 5000 visitors. Usually during the weekend it is fully booked with 25 visitors per day and an all time was reached in August 2020 when 515 visitors flew the MiG-21.

During this project AFormX evolved the capacity to support a high-public use VR simulator. This was extremly useful for the following projects.

In 2021 the good results of the MiG-21 operation was upgraded by a partnership of Park of Military History Pivka and AFormX in the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX project.

YOU CAN ALSO EXPERIENCE THIS SIMULATOR YOURSELF!

Visit Park of Military history, Pivka. Click here for more info.

VIP USERS

The simulator was flown in 2018 by Karel Erjavec, Minister of Defence, Republic of Slovenia (2018-2020).

Defence Minister in the MiG sim
In 2018 the Defence Minister of Republic Slovenia - Mr. Karel Erjavec flew the MiG-21bis simulator.
Simon Zajc, državni sekretar MGRT-ja leti simulator Mig-a 21 bis.
Simon Zajc, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology was one of the first VIP guests that flew the Mig-21 bis simulator in 2021.