Warbird Information Exchange

Do they fly the MiG-3 in the US? or, come to mention it, any of the Polikarpovs or the La-11 in the same collection?

My understanding is that the MiG was supposed to be at the May show but there was a mechanical issue which caused it to remain in Suffolk; I've never seen any of the Polikarpovs fly, which is a shame because they're exceedingly cool. However, given how unforgiving they are, perhaps it's not that big a surprise. I don't know if there are plans to get them airborne, but they could do one he||uva May Day show out there with what's in those hangars!

Me, I still want to see that MiG-3 up close and personal... always loved the look of that thing.

Lynn

Is there any particular issue with operating the Polikarpovs? I wasn't aware of any from the various pilot reports that have been published of the NZ examples over the years.

Simply amazing recovery and restoration. I would bet it is going to Paul Allen and FHC.

I found a video of what I believe is the recovery effort of this plane. If not than it is another IL-2. If you watch closely you can see they recovered the body of the pilot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_atylcwC ... _embedded#! (recovery effort)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SztMQwL ... re=related (recovery and funeral for crew)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybISbLKq ... re=related ( Interview with pilots family)

I hope someone here can watch and translate these videos and give us some more info.

I'm basing this on contemporary accounts indicating they're apparently very twitchy, and many moons ago when I was out at the original Fighter Factory, I recall one of the guys there saying that people were scared to fly them. It wasn't a pilot who said that, it may have just been hearsay, but the fact remains that the planes have been on the ground for many years now. (shrug) I wonder if they ever sold the other I-16 with skis (red 21)... anyone know?

And what's this about the La-11... it's not on display, is that where it wound up?

Lynn

Looks like you might be right... one of the earlier videos mentioned it came from the swamps of Pskov, and this report indicates the aircraft was recovered from a swamp near Pskov. The crew names: pilot Grigory Fedirko, gunner Ivan Rylov.

The condition of the documents, money, and other paperwork is nothing short of jaw-dropping... and these two men were finally able to be properly laid to rest. BTW, I found another video from another source covering the same group of guys (Mikhail Romanov, Boris whats-his-name and others) recovering what may be another Il-2 wreck from a frozen lake near Pskov:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZH1t56fGo0

What's interesting about this one is that they show some bullet holes in the skins they pull up... that, and one of the kids looking at the engine is wearing a NY Yankees knit hat. The one in your linked video is an absolute mess, I can't imagine what they might be able to salvage from it, but this one pulled out of the lake seems to have a decent number of workable bits to it... I'll keep looking.

This just gets more fascinating by the day.

Lynn

I was there a couple of weeks ago and was told that Dave Morss flew the green I-16 once, and Patty Wagstaff was going to fly it once but they couldn't get it started. I think the white one is still there but disassembled and in storage. I have a vague memory that somebody told me some time ago that the Mig 3 needed some fuselage work, strengthening or repair or something.

Il-2 is amazing! Wish it was coming to VA but wherever it goes can't wait to see that one-



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http://www.biplanerides1.com/

I visited the MiG-3 at the Fighter Factory about 3 years ago (when it was at the Suffolk base). The aircraft was under a re-restoration of sorts to bring her up to US airworthiness standards. The MAM's chief engineer told me that the systems needed to be completely gutted and rebuilt due to various issues, but I suspect that given these concerns they will have also gone through the structure with a fine tooth comb as well. At the time, I was told the MiG-3 was only a few months away from flying... but that is now many moons ago, so unless they put the project on the back-burner (always a possibility) they decided to dig deeper in the structure, as I am unaware of any flights the aircraft has made in the USA to date. The same engineer also told me that he did not feel that the Polikarpov fighters were safe to fly either, and was strongly discouraging that they ever be flown at MAM. I'm not sure why that was though, but I was left with the impression it was due to their unusual flying characteristics.

Cheers,
Richard

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Richard Mallory Allnutt - Photography - http://www.rmallnutt.com

A shame that after all the work to get the Russian fighters, what Yagen seems to have ended up with are effectively a bunch of full-scale models that sit in the corner because his guys are unhappy to fly them (which also ties in with what I've heard)

It seems that the CAF I-16 has been grounded for the past 5 years or so too, so the only airworthy one in the US is the FHC one which flies once or twice a year!

After having seen the I-16's fly at Wanaka a couple of times, landings seemed to be "sporting", to say the least. They flew very well otherwise.

I photographed the white I-16 in storage about 2 years. I was at the FF on the Friday of the last WWII weekend, they were ready to fly it over to Pungo but there were some engine related issues. Don't remember exactly.


Chappie

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Brrring. Dispersal? TWO SECTIONS SCRAMBLE!!

I have an airshow DVD that features 3 I16s doing formation aerobatics. Wings Over Houston Circa 2000 sound right? Anyone witness this first hand? It is quite a sight.

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Jeff

There was a fantastic I-16 aerobatic demo at Flying Legends, I believe last year. There was a video that circulated which I'm sure could be found with a little "Googling". Whomever the pilot he demonstrated the airplane in a very sprightly fashion and it certainly looked perfectly controllable to me.

This last summer we almost got to see quite the Russian "heritage flight" as Eastern Front day featured their Po/U-2, I-16, and a high-speed taxi of their MiG-29UB.
You can check out my video here:

http://youtu.be/o5NHiOTYE8E?hd=1



[removed inaccurate info - thanks, Norm!]

I would be glad to fly any of their russian aircraft. I fly a lot of different aircraft, most of the time giving instruction or checkouts. This year I have flown 23 aircraft types, 6 of those turbine. Pretty much all of it has been as a contract commercial pilot or flight instructor. I don't have accidents and don't take unneccesary risks.