MiG I-230
Mikoyan-Gurevich · Soviet Union · first flew 1942 · fighter
The MiG I-230 (also known as MiG-3U) was a Soviet single-seat piston fighter prototype developed in 1942 as an improved version of the MiG-3, featuring a more powerful Mikulin AM-35A engine and refined aerodynamics to achieve higher performance.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.57 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Streamlined single-seat piston fighter
- Liquid-cooled inline engine with spinner
- Elliptical or tapered wings
Resembles the MiG-3 but with a cleaner cowling, refined fuselage lines, and improved canopy; the long-nosed liquid-cooled engine and tapered wing distinguish it from contemporary Soviet fighters.
Specifications
- The MiG I-230 has a length of 8.57 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.2 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 707 km/h (439 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The I-230 programme was Mikoyan-Gurevich's attempt to rescue the high-altitude MiG-3 concept after production was halted. Five prototypes were built, achieving a maximum speed of around 707 km/h — impressive for a piston fighter — but the type was not ordered into production as Soviet industry focused on the Yakovlev and Lavochkin families.
Variants
The I-231 was a further development of the same airframe with a more powerful AM-39 engine; neither variant entered production.
Where you'll see it
Never entered operational service; all examples were used as experimental aircraft only.
Related aircraft
- MiG I-221
- MiG I-222
- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1
- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3
- Aichi E16A Zuiun
- Bell P-59 Airacomet
- Bell P-63 Kingcobra
- Bereznyak-Isayev BI-1
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