Mikoyan-Gurevich I-250 (N)

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The I-250 (first prototype)

In order to counter the introduction of German turbojet-powered aircraft such as the Me-262, the Soviet Union in 1944 began a crash program to develop a high-performance fighter which resulted in the Mikoyan-Gurevich I-250 (N).

Although the aircraft was largely conventional in layout, it featured a novel propulsion system which consisted of a Klimov VK-107R V-12 piston engine (mounted conventionally and driving a tractor propeller) which was connected, via an extension shaft, to a compressor with seven fuel burners. This produced a propulsive jet which was directed, and accelerated, through a variable rear nozzle (compare thermojet). This mixed powerplant configuration enabled the I-250 to reach a maximum speed of 513 mph (825 km/h), but for no more than 10 minutes. Without the jet engine working, maximum speed was 421 mph (677 km/h). The plane was named I-250 (for istrebitel - fighter), it also bore factory code designation: aircraft N.

The first prototype was flown on March 3, 1945. On July 5, 1945 it crashed due to tail damage, killing its test pilot, Alexander Deyev. Tests continued on the second prototype. At the same time, the first batch of 50 aircraft were ordered. However, the aircraft development met with numerous problems, and it was not ready to pass state evaluation. In the meantime, Soviet designers constructed the first real jet fighters, MiG-9 and Yak-15, which made the I-250 obsolete. Therefore, in early 1947 the VVS cancelled its further development. It was decided to pass the completed planes to the Naval Aviation, but the aircraft did not pass state evaluation, which ended in April 1948.

According to older sources, 50 aircraft were built from late 1945, and served with the Baltic Fleet and some Northern fighter units until 1950 under the designation MiG-13. However, new Russian sources claim, that the number of completed planes was lower - possibly only 10-20, and there is no evidence of their service, nor of MiG-13 designation, which might have been an intended name for serial aircraft.

Operators

• Soviet Union

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