Mikoyan MiG-29 9-12 "Fulcrum-A"

Mikoyan · Soviet Union · first flew 1977 · fighter

The MiG-29 9-12 (Fulcrum-A) is the original baseline production variant of the Fulcrum, with a shallow dorsal spine, no fuel-hump, and the characteristic twin-finned blended Flanker-rival design.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, swept
E — Engines	2 × turbofan, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	17.32 m fuselage
T — Tail	Twin fin

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Spot it by:

Short, shallow dorsal spine between cockpit and fin — the definitive identification against the MiG-29S/SMT which have a much taller, wider hump spine
Single-piece aft-sliding canopy without any step or raised section, distinguishing it from the two-seat UB
Flush IRST (infrared search and track) sensor ball on a short pylon ahead of the windscreen on the aircraft centreline

Distinguished from the improved 9-13/SMT by the low, narrow dorsal spine that barely rises above the fuselage line. Against the UB trainer, the 9-12 has a radar-equipped pointed nose and a single-seat flush canopy without the raised tandem hood.

Specifications

The MiG-29 9-12 Fulcrum-A has a length of 17.32 m (57 ft).
It has a wingspan of 11.36 m (37 ft).
Its maximum speed is 2400 km/h (1491 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown on 6 October 1977 and entering Soviet VVS service in 1983, the 9-12 established the defining Fulcrum planform: twin widely-spaced RD-33 turbofans, large LERX blending wing into fuselage, and twin outward-canted fins. Early 9-12 aircraft for the Soviet Union had covered lower intakes to prevent FOD ingestion on unprepared strips.

Variants

The 9-12 was produced in parallel with the 9-12A and 9-12B (export-downgraded) variants with simplified avionics. Warsaw Pact nations received 9-12B standard aircraft with reduced electronic capability. The 9-13 and 9-13S added a wider-chord, fuel-carrying dorsal spine.

Where you'll see it

The 9-12 served with the Soviet Air Forces and was exported to East Germany (absorbed into the Luftwaffe post-reunification), Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Syria, India, Cuba and others. German Air Force Fulcrums from the former East Germany were tested extensively by the Luftwaffe and shared with NATO partners before disposal.

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