MiG-1 / I-200, A.I.Mikoyan/M.I.Gurevich

The first of a distinguished line, but it was an inauspicious start. Development started in 1938, when Mikoyan and Gurevich started project of single-seat interceptor (actually continued N.N.Polikarpov's 'Kh' project). Aircraft was powered AM-35 V-engine, one of the most powerful engines in the world in its category. Of two completed projects only one (the I-200) went ahead - small (smallest possible to be powered with AM-35) slim low-wing monoplane with retractable landing gear. Airframe and covering were composite, wood and metal.

The first prototype I-200 was first flown on April 5 1940 by Arkadij Ekatov on the Khodynka (Frunze) Airfield in Moscow. During initial test aircraft proved to be an excellent performer as interceptor (as far as speed was the major concern), touching 648.5km/h at 6900m on May 24. Aircraft was placed into production despite serious faults - lack of maneuverability (due to small overloaded wings), limited range, weak protection and armament (actually all those are payment for small size). It also had poor spin performance (several fatalities) due to back-shifted center of gravity.

These problems caused production to be limited to 100 aircraft, giving way to the radically modified MiG-3. Some MiG-1's had open canopy - due to some problems on the I-200 prototype.

All (except few early batches) were equipped with protected fuel tanks.

---

Development(s):

MiG-3

---

References:

• "History of aircraft construction in the USSR", Vol.2 p.231-235;

---


Related WEB Links:
• MiG-1
• Mig-3
• Salnik Andrej Homepage
• I-200, Mikoyan-Gurevich
• MiG-1, Mikoyan-Gurevich at Emmanuel Gustin Index
• MiG-1 at Michael Fletcher's Site;
• MiG-1/MiG-3 at Virtual Aircraft Museum

Modified October 12, 1997

Back to Main Gate