Aircraft

MiG-19 Farmer: Soviet Supersonic Fighter

Mikoyan-Gurevich · NATO Name: Farmer · First Flight: 1953

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 is a third-generation Russian, single-seater jet-engined fighter aircraft. It was the first Russian production fighter aircraft capable of supersonic speeds in level flight. The Western military used the NATO reporting name "Farmer" for the MiG-19.

It was an interceptor, 12.6 m long, 9.2 m in span and 3.65 m high. The wings were mid-mounted, tapering and highly swept back. Power was provided by two Tumansky turbojets, each producing a maximum of 3,255 kg of thrust, propelling the aircraft to a maximum speed of 1,455 km/hr. Maximum operating height was 17,500 m and ordinary operating range was 685 km (although this could be stretched to over 2,000 km). The aircraft was initially armed with 30 mm cannon and either bombs or rockets.

The aircraft was designed by the Mikoyan Gurevich design bureau. The first flight was made in September 1953 and the aircraft entered production in 1955. Around 8,500 models were made, mainly in the USSR but also in the People's Republic of China (as the J-6) and Eastern Europe. The aircraft saw service with a number of other national air forces including those of Cuba, North Vietnam, Egypt, Pakistan and North Korea. The aircraft saw combat during the Vietnam War and the Bangladesh War. In the USSR it was superseded by the MiG-21.

Technical Specifications

Countries of OriginRussia & China
BuilderMikoyan-Gurevich (Gorki & Novosibirsk)
Crew1
Length42 ft 11 in (13.1 m)
Span29 ft 6 in (9 m)
Height12 ft 0 in
Weight9,040 kg (loaded)
Engine2 × Tumansky RD-9 turbojets, 7,165 lbs thrust ea. (with afterburner)
Maximum Speed900 mph / 1,450 km/h / Mach 1.35
Cruising Speed590 mph / 950 km/h / Mach 0.9
Ceiling17,900 m
Range425 mi / 685 km radius; 1,400 mi / 2,200 km ferry
SensorsIzmrud radar, RWR, Basic bombsight

Armament

  • 2 or 3 NR-30mm Cannon
  • 2 Type 1 250 kg bombs
  • 8×57 rocket pod and 2 × 800 L drop tanks
  • 2 PL-2 AAM and 2 × 1140 L drop tanks
  • 2 ARS 212 rockets and 2 × 800 L drop tanks

User Countries

  • Albania (J-6)
  • Bangladesh (J-6)
  • Burma (J-6)
  • Cambodia (F-6)
  • Cuba
  • Egypt
  • North Korea (J-6)
  • Pakistan (J-6)
  • People's Republic of China (J-6)
  • Sudan
  • Tanzania
  • Zambia