Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 was a WW2 Soviet aircraft. It was developed from the MiG-1, which had first flown in early April 1940. When a more powerful engine was installed, a 1,350-HP Makulin AM-39, the new fighter was called MiG-3, which entered service with the Soviet Air Force in May 1941. The production of this plane would be terminated in late 1942, to prioritize the manufacturing of the Ilyushin Il-2, which shared the same power plant.

By the time Operation Barbarossa began, on June 22, 1941, thirteen Soviet squadrons had been equipped with the MiG-23. On June 23, 1941, the Russian pilot, Alexandr Pokryshkin, gained his first kill flying this aircraft. He shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109E, from Jagdgeschwader 77. Although it would be produced in large number, this warplane would not equal the Lavochkin La-5 in combat efficiency and reliability.

Technical Characteristics

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG3 was a single-seat, single-engine, low-winged monoplane. While the forward portion of the fuselage was made of steel tubing, with alloy stress skin, the rear fuselage was made with four pine longerons, with 0.5-mm plywood and calico skin bonded with glue. The cockpit was small, with only 13 instruments and no radio. Landing gear was retractable.

Although the MiG-3 was a fast fighter aircraft, it had poor handling and light armament. Along with the MiG-1, it performed better at high altitudes than at low levels. For this reason, it was often used as high-flying reconnaissance aircraft. Despite its shortcomings when flying low, it proved very useful in combat as it gave a good account of itself when fighting above height above 5,000 meters.

Specifications

Type: single-seat fighter

Length: 8.25 m

Wingspan: 10.20 m

Wing Area: 17.44 sq. meters

Height: 3.50 m

Power Plant: Mikulin AM-39, V-12, piston engine, delivering 1,350 HP.

Maximum Speed: 640 km/h (397 mph)

Range: 1,195 km (743 miles)

Armament: one Beresin 12.7-mm machine gun; two ShKAS 7.62-mm machine guns; one 200-kg bomb.

Below, the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 in early 1943.