M.I.Gurevich

Photo (14k) from Air Force Herald magazine article;

12k b/w drawing by I.G.Soultanov from "History of aircraft construction in the USSR" by V.B.Shavrov, Vol.2 p.232;

evelopment of the MiG-1 with only minor differences (but quite different in handling). At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War (what was the WWII for Soviet people) many MiG's pilots rammed German bombers after running out of ammunition - often the order was "to stop bombers by any means".

MiG-1,-3 were also used for ground attack - but it was rather misuse of good high altitude interceptor with limitations in low altitude performance. All were equipped with protected fuel tanks, with neutral gas filling. To cure poor spin performance of the MiG-1, automatic slats were added.

100 MiG-1 and 3322 MiG-3 were built. Aircraft was in service almost until the end of the war - thanks to exceptional easy maintenance, repairability and part compatibility. Generally from 2-3 unrepairable machines one flying could be assembled in the field conditions.

Predecessor:

MiG-1

Developments:

Ground attack (small butch) with 2 additional 12.7mm UB machineguns in the wings, out of propeller arc. Takeoff weight - 3510kg, one second salvo increased from 1.36kg to 3.56kg

MiG-7, powered with AM-37 engine.

Development

MiG-9, IKh with M-82 radial engine