Soviet MiG-21 I (izdeliye 21-11, Analogue) experimental aircraft

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 I experimental aircraft in support of the Tu-144 programme In seeking a platform capable of exploring Tupolev T-144 high speed flight envelope, the decision was made to modify the MiG-21S fighter, fitting a completely new ogival wing (technical specifications issued on August 1, 1964), to produce what would be designated as the MiG-21 I (izdeliye 21-11, aka “Analog“). Two prototypes of the MiG-21 I/1 and MiG-21 I/2 were built. The MiG-21 I prototype first flew in this guise on April 18, 1968. Until the end of 1969, 140 flights were made (eleven pilots participated in the flights, including test pilots of the Tu-144 prototype). The first MiG-21 I/1 crashed due to a pilot error, the second MiG-21 I/2, after completing test flights, was transferred to the aviation museum in Monino. music: DEADLIFE - Needle in My Neck