Category Mig

To develop a fighter capable of supersonic speeds in level flight, many requirements had to be met:

—the layout had to have the smallest possible master cross-section to reduce drag

—the drag of the wing and the tail assembly had to be reduced by increasing their sweep angle at the leading edge —a series of intricate technical problems had to be resolved in designing duplicate flying controls, artificial feel systems, super­sonic air intakes, and the like

—the engines and fuel systems had to be positioned to prevent flameouts during maneuvers within the aircraft’s speed and alti­tude range, including when firing the cannons

The SM-2 became the flying laboratory that allowed engineers to explore ways to get beyond the sound barrier.

The SM-2 was designed in record time under the supervision of A. G. Brunov, deputy chief constructor, and R. A. Belyakov, who was then

chief of the general affairs brigade. A. A. Chumachenko took care of the aerodynamic design while V. M. Yezuitov studied pilotage and han­dling problems. Engineer A V Minayev played a great part in the development of the SM-2. G. Ye. Lozino-Lozinskiy was put in charge of the power unit. The stress analysis was placed under the management of D. N. Kurguzov, who had worked with N N. Polikarpov before World War II.

The first SM-2 was a midwing, T-tail, twin-jet fighter. The wing sweep back C/4 was 55 degrees with a 4-degree, 30-minute anhedral. The sweep of the stabilizer and fin leading edges was 55 and 56 degrees, respectively. The wing structure was identical to that of the I – 350 (M) except that there were only two fences on the wing’s upper surface. Armament consisted of two N-37D cannons located in the lead­ing edge, near the wing roots. Rolled out in April 1952, the SM-2 made its first flight, with G. A. Sedov in the cockpit, on 24 May.

It soon became obvious that the aircraft could not really exceed Mach 1 in level flight. It did reach Mach 1.19—but in a shallow dive. At 3,920 daN (4,000 kg st) the cumulative thrust of the two first-series AM – 5A turbojets was not sufficient because they lacked an afterburner. The engines were replaced by reheated AM-5Fs—first developed for the SM-1—rated at 2,645 daN (2,700 kg st). Other faults were noted in the aircraft’s aerodynamic qualities and fuel control system.

The spin problem was solved by moving the stabilizer to the base of the fin and modifying the location of the wing fences. Various other changes put a stop to engine flameouts and surges. After completing its factory tests, the SM-2 commenced its state trials in early 1953 They proceeded normally until V. G. Ivanov, a military pilot, discovered a serious shortcoming: a pitch instability caused by diminution of the sta­bilizer’s efficiency at high speeds. The flight tests were canceled, and the prototype was returned to the factory for modifications. The stabi­lizer was lowered once more and positioned on the rear section of the fuselage. The tailplanes on MiG fighters have remained on the fuselage and "abandoned” the fin ever since. Moreover, to suppress the buffet­ing caused by their deployment, the airbrakes were brought closer to the wing and lowered in relation to the fuselage datum line.

Once modified, the SM-2 became the SM-2A and later the SM-2B. The aircraft resumed its state trials in the summer of 1953. In fact, two SM-2s were built. In light of the test results both prototypes received the same modifications, especially those involving the stabilizer.

Specifications

Span, 9.04 m (29 ft 7.9 in); overall length, 13.9 m (45 ft 7.2 in); fuselage length, 10.285 m (33 ft 8.9 in); height, 3.95 m (12 ft 11.5 in); wheel

track, 4.156 m (13 ft 7.6 in); wheel base, 4.398 m (14 ft 5.2 in), takeoff weight, 6,820 kg (15,030 lb).

Design Performance Mach limit, 1.19

The 1-3 was a logical follow-on for the 1-1/1-2 design philosophy among various single-engine fighters developed simultaneously with other types such as the MiG-19 that were already being mass-produced Its design and structure were based on standard concepts shared by most other fighters of that time – all-metal structure, highly swept (over 50 degrees) and lift-augmented wing, airbrakes plus tail chute, powerful reheated turbojets, ejection seat, flying controls with artificial feel and gear ratio on the pitch channel, all-purpose on-board systems, and heavy armament (cannons)

The preliminary design of the 1-3 (1-380) frontline fighter, mapped out around the new Klimov VK-3 turbojet, was completed in March 1954 The VK-3 possessed an axial flow compressor, an annular com­bustion chamber, and an afterburner It was rated at 5,615 daN (5,730

kg st) of design nominal thrust and 8,270 daN (8,440 kg st) with after­burner. The I-3’s stabilator and aileron power units were of the irre­versible type. On the other hand, the rudder servo-control units were reversible. The wing had a sweepback of 60 degrees С/4. The airbrakes covered an area of 1.2 m2 (12.9 square feet) and flanked the fuselage just behind the wing root. Their role was not only to shorten the land­ing roll and to improve the aircraft’s handling in level flight but also to reduce the aircraft’s speed during a full-power vertical dive. The PT 2165-511 tail chute was 15 m2 (161.5 square feet) in area. Armament consisted of three NR-30 cannons, two on the right and one on the left in the leading edge near the wing root. The pilot was protected by a 65- mm-tbick bulletproof windshield, a 10-mm armor plate in front of the cockpit, and a 16-mm armor plate in the seat back and headrest. Devel­opment of the turbojet was delayed several times by technical prob­lems; as it turned out, the 1-3 was never powered by the VK-3 and was later converted into an 1-3U.

Specifications

Span, 8.978 m (29 ft 5.5 in); overall length, 14.83 m (48 ft 0.8 in); fuse­lage length (except cone), 12.275 m (40 ft 3.3 in); wheel track, 4.036 m (13 ft 2.9 in); wheel base, 5.04 m (16 ft 6.4 in); wing area, 30 m2 (322.9 sq ft); empty weight, 5,485 kg (12,090 lb); takeoff weight, 7,600 kg (16,750 lb); max takeoff weight, 8,954 kg (19,735 lb); fuel, 1,800 kg (3,970 lb); oil, 32 kg (70 lb); wing loading, 253.3-298.5 kg/m2 (51.9-61.2 Ib/sq ft); max operating limit load factor, 9.

Performance

Max speed, 1,274 km/h (688 kt) at sea level; 1,311 km/h at 5,000 m (708 kt at 16,400 ft); 1,775 km/h at 10,000 m (958 kt at 32,800 ft); climb to 5,000 m (16,400 ft) in 0.81 min; to 10,000 m (32,800 ft) in 1.9 min; service ceiling, 18,800 m (61,660 ft); landing speed, 190 km/h (103 kt); endurance, 1 h 46 min; range, 1,365 km (848 mi); takeoff roll, 390 m (1,280 ft); landing roll, 726 m (2,380 ft).

Introduced in 1958, the MiG-21F (Ye-6T) was the first production model of the family. The delta wing had a 57-degree sweepback at the leading edge like the preceding delta-wing prototypes, with Fowler flaps designed by TsAGI. The power unit was the R-11F-300 turbojet, rated at 5,625 daN (5,740 kg st) of reheated thrust. Its control system could set the air intake shock cone in three different positions. It was thus possible to change the cross-section area of the air intake duct as well as the direction of the shock waves according to flight regime. Its military instrumentation was still relatively basic, limited to the ASP – SDN gunsight, the SRD-5 ranging radar, and the IFF transponder.

There was no automatic direction finder. The curtain-type ejection seat was identical to that of the MiG-19. The tail chute was housed in a small container under the rear of the fuselage. The ten fuel tanks—six in the fuselage and four in the wing—had a total capacity of 2,160 1 (570 US gallons).

Armament included two NR-30 cannons with sixty rounds per gun and store stations under the wing for two UB-16-57U rocket pods with either sixteen 57-mm S-5M air-to-air rockets (ARS-57) apiece or sixteen 57-ram S-5K air-to-surface rockets (KARS-57); two 240-mm ARS-240 heavy air-to-surface rockets; or two 50- to 500-kg (110- to 1,100-pound) bombs. The third prototype, the Ye-6T/3, was tested with a small mobile canard surface set near the nose; this foreplane was to appear later on the Ye-8 experimental machine. The Ye-6T/3 was also used to develop the launching system of the air-to-air missiles that were to arm future versions of the MiG-21.

Tests of the MiG-21F ended in 1958. Forty machines were assem­bled in the Gorki factory in 1959 and 1960

Specifications

Span, 7.154 m (23 ft 5.7 in); length (except probe), 13.46 m (44 ft 1.9 in); fuselage length (except cone), 12.177 m (39 ft 11,4 in); wheel track, 2.692 m (8 ft 10 in); wheel base, 4 806 m (15 ft 9.2 in), wing area, 23 m[3] [4] (247.6 sq ft); takeoff weight, 6,850 kg (15,100 lb); fuel, 1,790 kg (3,945 lb); wing loading, 297.8 kg/m2 (61 lb/sq ft); max operating limit load factor, 7.

Performance

Max speed, 2,175 km/h at 12,500 m (1,175 kt at 41,000 ft); max speed at sea level, 1,100 km/h (594 kt); climb rate at sea level in clean con­figuration, 175 m/sec (34,450 ft/mm); climb to 18,500 m (60,700 ft) in 7.5 min; service ceiling, 19,000 m (62 300 ft); landing speed, 280 km/h (151 kt); range at 14,000 m (45,900 ft) in clean configuration, 1,520 km (945 mi); takeoff roll, 900 m (2,950 ft); landing roll with tail chute, 800 m (2,625 ft).

The MiG-21US two-seat training aircraft was derived from the MiG-21 U and differed externally in two points: the chord of the tail fin was broader, and the parachute container was located at the base of that fin. However, the most significant modifications were inside the air­craft. It was powered by the R-11F2S-300 turbojet rated at 6,050 daN (6,175 kg st) and consequently had the SPS system. Because the cone had no radar to house, there was no need to increase the diameter of the air intake, so the diameter remained at 690 mrn (27.2 inches). The total capacity of the fuel tanks increased to 2,4501 (647 US gallons) and

the SK ejection seats were replaced by the KM-1M (SK-3) model The MiG-21 US was mass-produced for the VVS and for export in the Tbilisi factoiy between 1966 and 1970

A M1G-21US also renamed Ye-33 and piloted by S Ye, Savitskaya broke four female world records on 6 June 1974

1 Time to climb to 3,000 m (9,840 feet), 59,1 seconds

2 Time to climb to 6,000 m (19,680 feet), 1 minute, 20.4 seconds

3, Time to climb to 9,000 m (29,520 feet), 1 minute, 46.7 seconds

4. Time to climb to 12,000 m (39,360 feet), 2 minute, 35.1 seconds

Another MiG-21US renamed Ye-66B and piloted once more by S Ye. Savitskaya topped those four records comfortably on 15 November 1974. [6] 2 [7] [8]

In the documents sent to the FAI to verify those records, it was mentioned that the Ye-66B was powered by one RDM at 6,860 daN (7,000 kg st) and two TTRDs at 2,250 daN (2,300 kg st). Those mysteri­ous acronyms had to be deciphered; it was surmised that the RDM was in fact the R-11F2S-300 turbojet (somewhat revved up by toying with the engine combustion temperature and rotation speed) and that the TTRDs were two SPRD-99 solid rocket boosters for help at takeoff.

Specifications

Span, 7.154 m (23 ft 5.7 in); fuselage length (except cone and probe),

12.18 m (39 ft 11.5 in); wheel track, 2.692 m (8 ft 10 in); wheel base,

4.806 m (15 ft 9.2 in); wing area, 23 m[9] [10] (247.6 sq ft); takeoff weight, 8,000 kg (17,630 lb); fuel, 2,030 kg (4,475 lb); wing loading, 347.8 kg/m2 (71.3 Ib/sq ft); max operating limit load factor, 7.

Performance

Max speed, 2,175 km/h at 13,000 m (1,175 kt at 42,640 ft); max speed at sea level, 1,150 km/h (621 kt); climb rate at sea level (half internal fuel, full thrust) with two R-3S missiles, 115 m/sec (22,640 ft/min); climb to 17,200 m (56,415 ft) in 8 min; service ceiling, 17,700 m (58,055 ft); landing speed, 250-260 km/h (135-140 kt); range, 1,210 km at 14,000 m (750 mi at 45,920 ft), with 800-1 (211-US gal) drop tank, 1,460 km (905 mi); takeoff roll, 900 m (2,950 ft); landing roll with SPS and tail chute, 550 m (1,800 ft).

These three versions were the most advanced of the MiG-27 family. They were all equipped with the upgraded PrNK~23M nav-attack sys­tem, which improved their operating range significantly. Their weaponry includes various containers such as the three-camera recon­naissance pod or SPPU-22 gun pods (for the 23-mm twin-barrel depressible cannon with 260 rounds).

The MiG-27D was equipped with the Klen ("maple") range finder (much more efficient than the MiG-23’s Fone). The MiG-27L (32-29L) was the export version of the МЮ-23М and is built under license by India’s HAL as the Bahadur (“valiant"). Production of 165 machines was launched there in 1984; it seems very likely that this number will increase.

The first modified version of the basic model was produced concur­rently and became operational in the same units that received the standard fighter. Known at first as the izdeliye 9-13 (the OKB’s internal name), the MiG-29S was first flown on 23 December 1980 with V. M. Gorbunov at the controls.

The only external differences from the MiG-29 are a slightly hump­backed dorsal spine behind the cockpit to hold additional avionics and a bigger no. 1 tank with a capacity of 780 1 (206 US gallons). The com­puter-controlled leading edge flaps are divided in five segments, instead of the four on the MiG-29. But the MiG-29 differs from its prede­cessors in many other aspects as well:

—the conventional flying controls were optimized to increase the AOA operating range (up to 28 degrees), to augment the aircraft’s steadiness in flight and controllability at high AOAs, and to move back the trigger level of unintentional stalls and spins —this new version could carry under the wings two jettisonable extra fuel tanks having a capacity of 1,150 1 (304 US gallons)

The first variant of the MiG-29, the MiG-29S differs from the basic aircraft by its some­what humpbacked fuselage and the wing that is piped for two 1,150-1 (304-US gallon) drop tanks

The louvers that partly feed the engines while the aircraft is taking off or landing are covered in this photograph by protective equipment. Compare the wing thickness at the leading edge with that of the МЮ-29М.

The weaponry fitted to the wing of this sixth prototype of the MiG-29M comprises four Kh-31P air-to-surface missiles under the inner panels, and two RW-AE and two R-73A air-to-air missiles under the outer panels.

Unlike the MiG-29 and MiG-29S, the MiG-29M has no louvers above the leading edge root extensions. The sharp leading edge of the wing should be compared with that of the MiG-29S.

This photograph of the МІС-29М shows some of the distinctive features of this version: the “fat back,” the deeper cockpit canopy and the notched tailplane of greater area.

Located in front of the windshield, the ball that houses the OLS-M system (protected by a removable fairing on nonoperational flights) differed in shape from that of the MiG-29S.

apiece, bringing the aircraft’s overall fuel capacity to 8,2401 (2,177

US gallons) and its maximum range to 2,900 km (1,800 miles)

The weapons load was increased to 4,000 kg (8,800 pounds) The MiG-29S can carry most of the MiG-29’s weaponry but is wired for new armament such as the new RW-AE medium-range active air-to-air mis­siles or other R-27E semiactive and IR homing air-to-air missiles offer­ing improved range It can also carry four B-13 rocket pods that can each fire five 122-mm S-13T or S-130F munitions The aircraft is capa­ble of engaging two targets simultaneously with its active and IR hom­ing missiles and of firing its GSh-301 cannon when fitted with the underbelly tank The N 019M radar is of the coherent pulse-Doppler type, an improved version of the RP-29 that has a built-in test set but no mapping mode

The MiG-29SE is the export version of the MiG-29S. Its radar unit is the N 019ME, a somewhat downgraded version of the N 019M.

The dimensions and wing areas of the MiG-29 and the MiG-29S are identical The only difference is the weight: takeoff weight of the MiG – 29S is 15,300 kg (33,730 pounds), and its maximum takeoff weight is 19,700 kg (43 430 pounds) The overall performance of both aircraft is identical as well except for the maximum range, which on the MiG-29S reaches 2,900 km (1,800 miles) when the aircraft is fully fueled with the internal tanks (4,440 1 [1,173 US gallons]), the underbelly tank (1,500 1 [396 US gallons]), and the wing drop tanks (2,300 1 [608 US gal­lons]) All operational MiG-29s can be updated to the 9-13 (MiG-29S) standard

The S-03 prototype was built in March 1948 within the context of the test program. Nearly all of the shortcomings found in the first two pro­totypes were eliminated on the S-03 under the supervision of chief engineer A. A. Andreyev, who was in charge of the program. Like the S-02, the S-03 was powered by a Nene II. But it differed from the S-02 in many other respects:

—it was equipped with hydraulically powered airbrakes hinged on the fuselage tail section (the rear structure had to be strengthened for this purpose)

— the stabilizer was moved 150 millimeters (5.9 inches) aft to improve its efficiency (this change necessitated a modification of the tail fin)

—the elevator was fitted with balance weights —the canopy was attached by a new latch mechanism —capacity of the no. 1 and no. 3 fuel tanks was reduced, limiting total fuel capacity to 1,450 1 (383 US gallons) from 1,538 1 (406 US gallons)

—two store points were added beneath the wing for auxiliary fuel tanks or bombs (FAB-lOOs, FAB-50s, or AO-25s)

—removal of the cannon fairings was simplified —new equipment was introduced, from an ASP-IN gunsight and an S-13 camera gun to a fire extinguishing system

The most serious challenge to be met with the S-03 was giving the wing structure adequate strength to comply with 1947 standards. This is why the new V-95 alloy was widely used for the wing structure (in place of D-16 duralumin) and 30-KhGSA chromansil steel for the spar webs and flanges. This structural reinforcement added 180 kg (397 pounds) to the weight of the wing. There were twenty-three ribs instead of twenty, and the skin was 1.8 mm thick instead of 1.5 mm. The efficiency of the aileron was improved by increasing the area from 0.96 m2 (10.3 square feet) to 1.17 m2 (12.6 square feet). The span of the

The 1-310 S-03 was the master aircraft selected by the WS. But to be safe the air force also ordered a small number of La-15s, a competing fighter created by the Lavochkin OKB.

The S-03 was equipped with airbrakes hinged on the rear fuselage. Their modest area of 0.52 m2 (5.6 square feet) had to be increased on production aircraft.

flaps was reduced slightly, but their chord was increased. The gear, air­brakes, and flaps were controlled by the hydraulic system with a no – load running valve. Switching on no-load running was automatic.

The S-03 was the first MiG aircraft that used its flaps for takeoff. That reduced takeoff roll to 695 m (2,280 feet) from the S-02’s 810 m (2,655 feet). But the airbrakes reduced the landing roll by only 30-35 m (98-115 feet). The prototype left the factory in March 1948 and was first flown on 17 June by I. T. Ivashchenko. The factory tests ended on 15 October (LI1 test pilot S. N. Anokhin came to assist Ivashchenko). The S-03 made a total of forty-eight flights, and all its flaws were eradi­cated one after the other. During one of these flights it reached a top speed of Mach 0.934. On 1 November the S-03 was sent to Saki, in the Crimean branch of the GK Nil WS, for another series of tests carried out by two military pilots, Yu. A. Antipov and V. G. Ivanov. They made thirty-five flights and spent fifteen hours and twenty-one minutes in the air, wrapping up their examination on 3 December. On 23 Decem­ber Marshall Vershinin, commander-in-chief of the WS, ratified the "acceptance trials report of the frontal MiG-15 single-seat fighter.” These are some of the report’s conclusions:

Considering its performance, we recommend choosing this air­craft to equip our squadrons, to prepare its series production and its availability for issue in compliance with the WS standards.

—this aircraft can be operated from rough strips — dogfight tests have not yet been carried out, but because of its high maneuverability it will be possible to involve the aircraft in fierce close combats —it can be flown inverted

—because of its handling characteristics, it can be flown by average pilots

The outstanding performance of the 1-310 S-03 (as well as the S-01 and S-02) in test flights was undoubtedly the reason that mass produc­tion was ordered by the Soviet government.

Specifications

Span, 10.085 m (33 ft 1 in); overall length, 10.102 m (33 ft 1.7 in); fuse­lage length, 8 125 m (26 ft 7.9 in); wheel track, 3.852 m (12 ft 7.6 in); wheel base, 3.075 m (10 ft 1.1 in); wing area, 20.6 m2 (221.7 sq ft); empty weight, 2,955 kg (6,513 lb); takeoff weight, 4,806 kg (10,592 lb); pilot, 97 kg (214 lb); fuel, 1,210 kg (2,667 lb); oil, 40 kg (90 lb); ammu­nition, 117 kg (258 lb); removable equipment, 35 kg (77 lb); wing load­ing, 233.3 kg/m2 (47.8 lb/sq ft); max operating limit load factor, 8.02.

Performance

Max speed, 1,031 km/h at 3,000 m (557 kt at 9,840 ft), 983 km/h at

10.0 m (531 kt at 33,800 ft); max speed at sea level, 905 km/h (489 kt); climb to 5,000 m (16,400 ft) in 2.3 min; to 10,000 m (32,800 ft) in 7.1 min, landing speed, 160 km/h (86 kt); service ceiling, 15,200 m (49,850 ft); range of S-03 at 1,000 m (3,280 ft), 660 km (410 mi); at

5.0 m (16,400 ft), 908 km (564 mi); at 12,000 m (39,360 ft), 1,433 km (890 mi); range of S-02 at 1,000 m (3,280 ft), 695 km (432 mi); at 5,000 m (16,400 ft), 955 km (593 mi); at 12,000 m (39,360 ft), 1,530 km (950 mi); takeoff roll, 695 m (2,280 ft); landing roll, 710 m (2,330 ft).

MiG-17 /1-330 / SI / MiG-15 bis 45° / SI 2/SI 02/SI 01

The next major challenge faced by MiG designers was to increase the maximum speed of a fighter solely by improving its aerodynamic fac­tor—that is, without giving it a single additional pound of thrust. Both in silhouette and in structure, the SI-2 (prototype of the MiG-17) and its double the SI-3 looked very much like the MiG-15. (The SI-1 was set aside for static tests and never left the ground.) But there were many important differences:

—the wing sweepback C/4 (at quarter chord) was 45 degrees from the root to midspan (hence the aircraft’s designation) and 42 degrees beyond that, creating a sweepback on the leading edge of 49 degrees and 45 degrees, 30 minutes (this compound sweep came about not only because of trim considerations but also because the wing root rib had to be bolted to a section of the fuse­lage inherited from the MiG-15)

—the wing area was enlarged by 2 m2 (21.5 square feet)

—the anhedral was increased to 3 degrees with a 1-degree wing inci­dence

—the wing had six fences

—the wing profile was thinner, with a TsAGI S-12s at the root and a TsAGI SR-11 at the tip (wing aspect ratio, 4 08; taper ratio, 1.23: mean aerodynamic chord, 2.19 m [7 feet, 2.2 inches])

—the wing-to-fuselage junction was improved near the trailing edge —the fuselage was lengthened hy 900 mm (2 feet, 11.5 inches) in proportion to the sweepback increase —the area of the airbrakes was increased to 1.76 m2 (18.9 square feet)

The semimonocoque fuselage was built in two parts that joined at the main wing-fuselage splice fittings to facilitate engine removal and replacement. The cockpit was pressurized and air-conditioned. The hood was made of a 64-mm-thick bulletproof glass windshield and a sliding canopy. In the lower part of the fuselage beneath the cockpit, an inspection panel allowed for easy access to the cannon tray The cockpit was equipped with a first-generation ejection seat controlled by handles on both armrests.

The monospar wing, reinforced with stiffeners and a stressed skin structure, had a 12-percent thickness ratio. The ailerons each had a span of 1 512 m (4 feet, 115 inches), an area of 0.8 m2 (8.6 square feet), and a maximum deflection angle of plus or minus 18 degrees, and they were balanced internally. The aileron on the right side was fitted with a tab measuring 0 034 m2 (0 37 square feet), and the aileron control was boosted by a hydraulic servo-control The Fowler-type flaps (span, 4 m [13 feet, 1.5 inches]; area, 2.86 m2 [30.8 square feet]) had two settings. 20 degrees for takeoff and 60 degrees for landing. The fin had a sweep angle of 55 degrees, 41 minutes at the leading edge and a total area of 4.26 m2 (45.85 square feet), including 0.947 m2 (10.2 square feet) for the rudder The horizontal tail—an ASA-M airfoil—had a sweep angle of 45 degrees at the leading edge and a total area of 3.1 m2 (33.37 square feet), including 0.884 m2 (9.5 square feet) for the elevator.

Two bladder tanks with capacities of 1,250 1 (330 US gallons) and 150 1 (40 US gallons) were located behind the cockpit. They could be placed in the fuselage via the cannon access port, and because of their location their contents had no effect on the aircraft’s trimming. Two store stations beneath the wing could receive either two drop tanks or two 100-kg (220-pound) or 250-kg (550-pound) bombs. Other equip­ment included the RSIU-3 Klen ("maple") VHF and the SRO-1 Bariy-M IFF transponder as well as the OSP-48 ILS, which included the ARK-5 Amur automatic direction finder, the MRP-48 Khrizantema (“chrysan­themum”) marker receiver, and the RV-2 Kristall low-altitude radio­altimeter. Its armament was identical to that of the MiG-15: one N-37D with forty rounds and two NR-23s with 80 rpg.

The SI-2 was flight-tested by I. T. Ivashchenko An in-depth test sequence was planned, including even the most difficult aerobatic maneuvers. From the start Ivashchenko noted that the SI-2 was 40 km/h (22 kt) faster than the MiG-15 bis, and on 1 February 1950 he reached 1,114 km/h (602 kt) in level flight at 2,200 m (7,215 ft). But 20 March proved to be a fateful day for the aircraft and its pilot. After com­pleting the day’s exercises at 11,000 m (36,080 ft), Ivashchenko started to descend normally when suddenly the aircraft dived and crashed.

After the tragic death of the pilot, it took more than a year to establish the causes of this accident, remedy them, and build a new prototype, the SI-02. (The SI-01, whose assembly was delayed, rolled out of the factory after the SI-02 and was thus the fourth prototype.) To test this machine Mikoyan called on a military test pilot, G. A. Sedov. The SI-02 passed its factoiy tests and state acceptance trials in short order. In decree no. 851 of 1 September 1951 the GK Nil WS and the ministry of aircraft production ordered mass production of the aircraft in no fewer than six factories (recall that the MiG-15 was built in eight factories).

The MiG-17 was able to carry out the most complicated aerobatic maneuvers, but it was necessary to impart a greater deflection to the control surfaces than was the case with the MiG-15 bis. Moreover, its

acceleration after takeoff had deteriorated somewhat. With the help of its airbrakes the MiG-17 was able to roll at any speed or altitude up to

14,0 m (45,920 feet). The area of the airbrakes was increased slightly on the assembly line starting in September 1952.

At high altitudes the MiG-17 was a very stable aircraft. It was even possible to roll in at its operational ceiling without losing much alti­tude. However, at 270-280 km/h (146-151 kt) its gliding descent speed was significantly faster than that of the MiG-15 bis. Several modifica­tions were made on the assembly line to improve the aircraft’s struc­ture and safety. For instance, the ejection seat was fitted with a tight strap slinged to the pilot’s bucket. With that safety device the pilot was much better secured. And like the MiG-15, the left armrest of the pilot’s seat was equipped with a backup activator for the ejection seat in case the pilot’s right hand was wounded in flight. As early as the end of 1953, all MiG-17s were equipped with a more modern curtain-type ejection seat that could be used safely at various speeds. This seat— developed by MiG—protected the pilot’s face from the relative wind, was equipped with stabilizing panels meant to prevent a disorderly free-fall, and secured the pilot’s legs. The OKB also developed for the MiG-17 a one-piece canopy (without a rear arch) that improved the pilot’s field of vision in the rear to between 24 and 27 degrees on both

sides. Nevertheless, the rearward view—so important in a fighter—was not totally panoramic. That is why periscopes, the only piece of equip­ment that offered a 360-degree view, soon made their appearance.

The VK-1 turbojet generated the equivalent of 12,000 shaft horse­power (shp), ten times the power of the AM-35A piston engine of the first MiG aircraft. Before long the MiG-17 was equipped with the VK – 1A, which also delivered 2,645 daN (2,700 kg st) but had a much longer service life. The MiG-17 as well as the last series of the MiG-15 bis was fitted with a new starting system that could use either a ground power unit or an airborne storage battery, making the aircraft self-contained. However, the start cycle was longer in the self-contained mode (forty – four seconds versus thirty seconds). The fuel system was greatly improved by inserting a pressure relief valve in the drop tanks’ pres­surization pipes to ensure a regular flow of fuel at all operational speeds. Finally, the landing light was moved from the engine air intake to a place under the wing.

The SI-02 tests revealed a few structural shortcomings. For exam­ple, during one flight strong vibrations were felt in the elevator. By yanking and throttling back immediately Sedov thought he could stop the vibrations, but the elevator had already partly disintegrated. By trimming the aircraft on its glide path solely with the throttle, Sedov managed to return to the airfield and land. The cause of the vibrations was identified, and the aircraft was modified accordingly. Ever since, pilots have had nothing but praise for the performance of the MiG-17.

In tests two LII pilots, S. A. Anokhin and P. I. Kazmin, achieved Mach 1.14, a speed that was never used operationally.

At different times, nearly forty countries on three continents chose the MiG-17 for their air forces: Albania, Algeria, Afghanistan, Angola, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, the Congo, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, East Ger­many, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, Guinea, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Madagascar, Mali, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Poland, Rumania, Sri Lanka, Somalia, the Sudan, Syria, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, and Yugoslavia. The aircraft has proven itself in combat, first in Egypt in the fall of 1956 against French Mystere IVs as well as British Vampires and Meteors. It is inter­esting to compare the characteristics of the MiG-17 with those of a con­temporary fighter, the Dassault Mystere IV (see table). In the early 1960s MiG-17s twice engaged American F-105 Thunderchiefs and F-4 Phantoms over North Vietnam.

From this basic airframe the MiG OKB developed a full range of tactical fighters for specific missions, endowing this aircraft with a great versatility. The MiG-17 has also been used as a testbed for a num­ber of systems intended for the next generation of fighters.

Specifications

Span, 9.628 m (31 ft 7 in); overall length, 11.264 m (36 ft 11.5 in); fuse­lage length, 9.206 m (30 ft 2,4 in); height with depressed shock absorbers, 3.8 m (12 ft 5.6 in); wheel track, 3.849 m (12 ft 7.5 in); wheel base, 3.368 m (11 ft 0.6 in); wing area, 22.64 m2 (243.7 sq ft); empty weight, 3,798 kg (8,371 lb); takeoff weight, 5,200 kg (11,460 lb); max takeoff weight, 5,929 kg (13,068 lb); fuel + oil, 1,173 kg (2,585 lb); wing loading, 230-262.3 kg/m2 (47.2-53.8 Ib/sq ft); max operating limit load factor, 8.

Performance

Max speed, 1,114 km/h at 2,000 m (602 kt at 6,560 ft); max speed at sea level 1,060 km/h (572 kt); Mach limit (fluttering conditions), 1.03; climb to 5,000 m (16,400 ft) in 2 min; to 10 000 m (32,800 ft) in 5.1 min; service ceiling, 15,600 m (51,170 ft); landing speed, 170-190 km/h (92-103 kt); range, 1,295 km at 12,000 m (805 mi at 39,360 ft); 1,185 km at 10,000 m (735 mi at 32,800 ft); range with two 400-1 (106-US gal) drop tanks, 2,150 km at 12,000 m (1,335 mi at 39,360 ft); 1,907 km at

10,0 m (1,184 mi at 32,800 ft); takeoff roll, 535 m (1,755 ft); landing roll, 825 m (2,700 ft).

After the failure of the SM-2, the only way for the project to move for­ward was to equip the AM-5F turbojet with a modified afterburner. Once modified, the engine was named the AM-9 В (AM-9 being its pre­liminary design designation). Its dry thrust was now 2,550 daN (2,600 kg st), rising to 3,185 daN (3,250 kg st) when reheated and 6,370 daN (6,500 kg st) when paired—a figure that met the needs of the OKB engi­neers, Two test engines were installed in the SM-2B airframe. With these two AM-9Bs and a few modifications of the fuselage to accommo­date the new afterburners and protect the structure from high temper­atures, the SM-2B became the SM-9/1. The development of this aircraft was ordered by decree no. 2181-887 of the USSR council of ministers, dated 15 August 1953.

All flight controls were boosted, and the nonrotating tailplane was fitted with an elevator. The midwing sweepback C/4 was 55 degrees.

and the stabilizer sweep was 55 degrees at the leading edge. The cock­pit was pressurized and air-conditioned with cold – and hot-air bleeds from the engine. The temperature inside the cockpit remained uni­form thanks to a special temperature regulator with an automatic dis­play. The ejection seat was of the curtain type, a device that protected the pilot’s hands and face when ejecting at high speeds. The tail chute was housed in a canister under the rear fuselage. Armament consisted of three NR-23 cannons, two in each wing root and one on the lower right side of the fuselage.

The team in charge of the SM-9 tests was G. A. Sedov, chief pilot, V. A. Arkhipov, chief engineer, and V. A. Mikoyan, Arkhipov’s assis­tant. The new engines were monitored by two specialists from the Mikulin ОКБ, 1.1. Gneushev and V. P. Shavrikov. The SM-9’s first flight took place on 5 January 1954 with Sedov at the controls. During that flight the engines ran smoothly but the afterburners were not used. The pilot found the aircraft easy to handle and capable of supersonic speed. During the second flight Sedov lit up the afterburners and broke the sound barrier, a procedure that he repeated many times in the course of the tests. On 12 September 1954 the factory tests ended; on 30 September the state acceptance trials commenced.

The SM-9 was clearly an aircraft with a future The official test report made the point this way: "The SM-9/1 ’s performance data are far better than those of the MiG-17F. The former is 380 km/h [205 kt]

The main features of the SM-9/1 are its Fowler-type flaps, fixed stabilizer with eleva­tors and deep-chord wing fences.

This photograph was taken before the wing-root cannons were installed. Their place was occupied by a provisional fairing.

faster at 10,000 m [32,800 feet], and its service ceiling is 900 m [2,950 feet] higher." This report, approved by Marshal Zhigarev, the air force commander-in-chief, recommended the SM-9 (designated the MiG-19 by the military) for its units.

Well before the end of the state trials, the council of ministers issued decree no. 286-133 on 17 February 1954 ordering the mass pro­duction of the MiG-19 in two factories, one in Gorki and the other in Novosibirsk. Initiating a rather uncommon procedure, the council of ministers ordered the ministry of aircraft production to build (and the ministry of defense to accept) the first fifty aircraft and the first hun­dred turbojets from the design office blueprints and not, as was cus­tomary, from the production sets of drawings, because the latter were not yet ready. The first MiG-19s were delivered to the air force in March 1955.

Performance

Max speed, 1,451 km/h at 10,000 m (784 kt at 32,800 ft); max speed at sea level, 1,150 km/h (620 kt); climb to 10,000 m (32,800 ft) in 1.1 min; to 15,000 m (49,200 ft) in 3.7 min; service ceiling, 17,500 m (57,400 ft).

The I-3U was a revised and corrected edition of the 1-3. Its role was to intercept and destroy hostile aircraft at any speed and altitude and in any weather conditions. It differed from the basic aircraft in its auto­matic flight management and fire control systems. The latter, called the Uragan-1, included the Almaz ranging radar, the OKB-857 comput­er, and the AP-36-118 autopilot. The radar range was 17 km (10.5

The I-3U/I-5 was equipped with the Almaz ranging radar, housed in an off-center nose cone.

The cockpit canopy of the I-3U/I-5 was hinged to open upward and forward—an arrangement retained on the first-series MiG-21s.

miles). The fighter was led to its target by ground stations. The main airborne systems included the ASP-5M gunsight, the ARK-5 automatic direction finder, the MRP-48 marker receiver, IFF interrogator, and radar warning receiver (RWR). Armament consisted of two NR-30 can­nons with 65 rpg located in the leading edge near the wing root; the aircraft could also carry two rocket pods with a total of sixteen ARS-57 rockets.

Like the 1-3, the I-3U was a victim of its disappointing engine. The ill-fated VK-3, which was supposed to deliver a dry thrust of 5,615 daN (5,730 kg st) and a reheated thrust of 8,270 daN (8,440 kg st), never did live up to expectations. Because no other turbojet in that category was available, the I-3U, rolled out in 1956, never left the ground. This explains why only design performance data are given

Specifications

Span, 8 978 m (29 ft 5.5 in), overall length (except probe), 15 785 m (51 ft 9.5 in); fuselage length (except cone), 13.54 m (44 ft 5 in); wheel track, 4.036 m (13 ft 2.9 in); wheel base, 5.35 m (17 ft 6.6 in); wing area, 30 m2 (322.9 sq ft); empty weight, 6,447 kg (14,210 lb); takeoff weight, 8,500 kg (18,735 lb); max takeoff weight, 10,028 kg (22,100 lb); fuel, 1,800 kg (3,970 lb), wing loading, 283.3-334.3 kg/m2 (58-68 5 lb/sq ft), max operating limit load factor, 8

Design Performance

Max speed, 1,610 km/h at 5,000 m (870 kt at 16,400 ft); 1,750 km/h at

10,0 m (945 kt at 32,800 ft); climb to 5,000 m (16,400 ft) in 0.47 min; to 10,000 m (32,800 ft) in 1.12 min; service ceiling, 18,300 m (60,000 ft); landing speed, 210 km/h (113 kt); endurance, 1 h 28 min, range, 1,290 km (800 mi); takeoff roll, 560 m (1,840 ft); landing roll, 580 m (1,900 ft)

1420 / I-3P

This preliminary design did not come to fruition as planned It was an interceptor version of the 1-3, but while it was being built it was con­verted into an I-3U equipped with the Uragan-1 flight management and fire control system.