It took him eight minutes to fly over Israel from north to south (470 km). At this moment, the leading edge of the wing was heated to 250 ° C, and the fuel consumption was half a ton of kerosene per minute.
An indestructible scout is scary. But worse is the unbreakable bomber. The only aircraft in the world capable of effectively gaining speed while climbing in the stratosphere with a combat load.
Then, he could throw this load 40 km - this is how much ordinary bombs dropped at supersonic from an altitude of 20 km (along a ballistic trajectory) flew. The automatic sighting system "Peleng-D" made it possible to hit berths and oil storage facilities without entering the air defense zone.
"Three-fly" combat aircraft suitable for combat units.
Interceptor - scout - shock.
The MiG-25 was born in a “difficult era”. The order to start work on the E-155 ("three-flight interceptor") appeared in March 1961, when the clouds of Khrushchev's reforms were gathering over the domestic aviation. Despite the "difficult times" and "persecution of aviation", less than three years have passed since the plane began testing in the air (1964).
Mi-8
Khrushchev's interest in helicopters was awakened after a visit to the United States, where Eisenhower gave him a ride in his presidential Sicorsky S-58. When he returned, Khrushchev ordered the same "board" for the transportation of the highest officials of the USSR. Designer Mikhail Mil immediately took advantage of the situation, drawing the Secretary General's attention to a new project for a passenger helicopter, which his design bureau was working on at that time. More comfortable and more spacious than the Mi-4.
The first prototype B-8 (single-engine version) was presented in July 1961.
The second prototype, the twin-engine V-8A with a five-blade propeller, the predecessor of the Mi-8, took off in 1962.
By the end of 1964, the aircraft successfully completed the state test program, and serial production of the Mi-8 family of helicopters was prepared in Kazan.
In fact, the Khrushchev era became a turning point for the entire domestic helicopter industry. Then or never. KB Kamov and Mil managed to reach the world level with a production scale of thousands of units. Create samples of rotorcraft that have become legends in the history of aviation.
For example, the ship-based Ka-25 with a biaxial rotor design. The first flight took place in 1961.
Another striking example is the Mi-6, which set a payload record among serial helicopters of that time. First flight - 1957, start of serial production - 1959.
Yak-36
The prototype of the Soviet "vertical aircraft" - aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), designed to arm the aircraft carriers of the USSR Navy.
First flight - 1964.
Here the question is not about the characteristics of the Yak-36 itself, and the remaining prototype aircraft. And not about the effectiveness of the entire class of VTOL aircraft. What is the main paradox? In the conditions of "persecution of aviation" at the Yakovlev Design Bureau, unexpectedly (!), There were forces and means for the construction of experimental aircraft models of unusual schemes.
Not on the lists
A significant number of completely new Il-28s were barbarously disposed of, in connection with the appearance of the Yak-28 supersonic bombers.
The first flight was in 1958, the beginning of serial construction was in 1960.
A machine similar to the starship from the science fiction novels of the era, with a top speed of 1,800 km / h.
The geography of application was so extensive that it is easier to try to find a region of the USSR where these machines were not available than to list the regiments armed by them. A clear illustration is list of military districts over which the 28th flew: Moscow, Leningrad, Baltic, Belorussian, Odessa, Carpathian, North Caucasian, Transcaucasian, Central Asian, Turkestan, Far Eastern, Trans-Baikal, etc., as well as Northern, Southern and Western groups of troops and the Group of Soviet troops in Germany. The bomber regiments, which were switching to new equipment from the Il-28, performed their previous tasks, which also included the delivery of tactical nuclear weapons to targets.
The last combat mission of the Yak-28, in the reconnaissance version, was Afghanistan.
After the Yak descended in the reconnaissance area, it was reported from the air defense command post that a couple had taken off from the Iranian airbase Mashhad and headed there. Soon she, too, dropped and, like our scout, disappeared from the radar screens. Roslyakov and Gabidulin violated the border, as expected, by 3-4 km, after which they began to return along the Gurian-Herat road. After 5-7 minutes, the pilot looked to the left and noticed a shadow from the plane. Turning sharply, Roslyakov saw a pair of F-14s with suspended missiles at 70-100 m. Without saying a word to the navigator, he threw the plane to the ground and, pressing against it, at an altitude of 10-20 m at maximum speed began to go towards Herat. The Iranian couple continued their pursuit even as the Yak crossed the Soviet border in the Kushka area and moved further north. Only having gone 40-50 km deeper, the F-14 pilots came to their senses and, waving their wings goodbye, went to their place.
("Hot Skies of Afghanistan".)
It is curious that despite active service, the Yak-28 was never officially adopted due to a disaster during state tests. However, this formality did not prevent “Yak” from taking his place of honor in the pantheon of Cold War heroes.
Let's sum up
We will not argue about the prospects of growing corn in the virgin steppes of Kazakhstan, justifying the quirks of the secretary general, but as for the "collapse of aviation", everything happened exactly the opposite.
The Khrushchev era was the “golden age” of aviation, when all the best developments got a ticket to the skies. On which we fly to this day, including the most massive helicopter in the world, the Mi-8.
There is nothing more interesting than refuting the prevailing stereotypes, finding that incomprehensible eternal truth in all its simplicity and beauty under the layer of myths and delusions. It's amazing how people, with all the data and access to the Internet in front of them, continue to believe in completely insane things.
Why repeat nonsense and invent non-existent “sins” even for a not very popular historical figure? Or is mindless groaning an integral part of mass consciousness?
There should be at least a drop of respect for the creators of the magnificent MiGs, Jacob and Sukhikh, whose works were forgotten in connection with the decision to tarnish the entire era!
As if there was not the most massive MiG-21 fighter! Dozens of modifications! Hundreds of thousands of sorties around the world!
There was no Su-7 fighter-bomber.
There was no Tu-22 supersonic bomber-bomber.
There was no Tu-128 two-seater patrolling interceptor.
The first Soviet long-range radar detection aircraft Tu-126 was not there.
There were no passenger Il-18, Il-62 and Tu-134.
All of them, and many others, took off in the late 1950s and early 1960s. And if this is the collapse of aviation, what do you think the “revival” should look like?
