Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-8

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-8 Utka (Russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-8 «Утка», "duck") was a Soviet experimental aircraft. Built of wood, the aircraft was designed and built in 1945 to test the novel canard configuration. It also used a tricycle undercarriage, the first used by the OKB. It was modified to test a variety of vertical stabilizer and wingtip configurations and was later used as a liaison aircraft for many years by the design bureau.

MiG-8 Utka
The MiG-8 in flight
Role Experimental liaison aircraft
National origin Soviet Union
Manufacturer Mikoyan-Gurevich
First flight 13 August 1945
Status Prototype
Number built 1

Design and development

Nicknamed Utka ("duck"), as the word canard (referring to its small forward wing) is French for "duck", and with the Russian aeronautics term for a canard wing being described as a "duck" scheme (схема "утка"), the MiG-8 was an experimental aircraft designed and built by the OKB to evaluate the stability and handling of the canard configuration in conjunction with swept wings. This design has benefits in a jet-powered aircraft as it leaves the rear of the fuselage clear of interference from the jet's exhausts. To test the concept the MiG-8 was powered by a Shvetsov M-11 five-cylinder radial engine, with a pusher propeller.

Operational history

The aircraft was used as a testbed for developing the swept wing of the MiG-15, and afterwards continued to fly as a communications/utility aircraft for the OKB. Being made of wood and fabric, it was very light and reportedly a favorite among MiG OKB test pilots for its docile, slow-speed handling characteristics.

Specifications

Data from MiG aircraft since 1937,[1] The Osprey Encyclopaedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Capacity: 2
  • Length: 6.995 m (22 ft 11 in)
  • Wingspan: 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in)
  • Wing area: 15 m2 (160 sq ft)
  • Airfoil: Clark YH 12%
  • Empty weight: 642 kg (1,415 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,150 kg (2,535 lb)
  • Fuel capacity: 195 l (43 imp gal; 52 US gal)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Shvetsov M-11FM 5-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine, 82 kW (110 hp) (de-rated)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed fixed-pitch pusher propeller

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 205 km/h (127 mph, 111 kn)
  • Landing speed: 77 km/h (48 mph; 42 kn)
  • Range: 500 km (310 mi, 270 nmi)


See also

Related lists

References
  1. Gunston, Bill (1998). MiG aircraft since 1937 (1st ed.). Sparkford: PSL. ISBN 0851778844.
  2. Gunston, Bill (1995). The Osprey Encyclopedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London: Osprey. p. 184. ISBN 1-85532-405-9.

Bibliography
  • Gordon, Yefim and Komissarov, Dmitry. OKB Mikoyan: A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft. Hinckley, England: Midland Publishing, 2009 ISBN 978-1-85780-307-5
  • Gunston, Bill. The Osprey Encyclopaedia of Russian Aircraft 1875–1995. London: Osprey, 1995 ISBN 1-85532-405-9
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