Ive just brought the amazing Red Eagles - story behind the USAF and USN use of Mig 15-17-21 and 23 models in Nellis complex ranges primarily at Tonopah and ______ (sorry Groom Lake aka Area 51 - it doesnt exist remeber...)
Tonopah -
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?sourceid ... 7&t=h&z=14
Groom lake -
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&sour ... 7&t=h&z=16
(So if Groom lake doesnt exisit as US Govt tells us - what is that - note some serious new hanagers have gone up housing some serious black aircraft or ufo etc... for air defence or chase planes maybe... note 2 F-16s on ramp to north side.
Janet 737s are seen at both Tonopah and Groom.. obvious to all in the know.
It seems from mid 70s many Indonesian Mig 21 were acquired via CIA -- the CIA not Classics In Aviation who did acquire Migs at Stead Airport Reno as i recall.
It seems most of these Migs expesically the Mig 23 were disliked. 23 was a pilot killer and some USAF pilot said "i survivied 23 sortiies - 22 more than i ever expected to.....
It seems Groom Lake in late 60s held Mig-15 and Mig-17 and Mig-21 models and by early 70s they needed a new base and chose Tonopah DOE airfield.. and then expanded that into a small operation and then soon after the Have Blue aka F-117 appeared on the scene..
All Migs supposively were withdrawn in 1998 after 20years of operating.. some for just a few years. The Mig were placed "overnight" at museums and owners told not to ask any ANY questions.
The rest were moved to Nellis i understand and others buried at Tonopah.
The US to this day denies any more Migs are used but it seems valid reports of Area 51 supports Su-27 Flankers and Mig-29 and other unknown stuff is now true.
The USAF stopped flying 1-2nd gen Mig and upgraded that is all that happened and now its 4th gen stuff.
The book amazes me as to HOW complex a Mig-15 and 17 and 21 are to fly.
It sure amazes me further how anyone outside air forces would want to fly...since there are so many problems and lack of modern fucntions in the Migs.
Most warbird Migs are Mig-15 17 and some 21 are flying. A 23 is about to fly in US .. wonder how long for tho?