Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19

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

It was a 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 3255 kg of thrust, propelling the aircraft to a maximum speed of 1455 km/hr. Maximum operating height was 17500 m and ordinary operating range was 685 km (although this could be stretched to over 2000 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 China (as the J-6) and Eastern Europe. The aircraft saw service with a number of other national airforces 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In the USSR it was superseded by the MiG-21.