The MiG-19 Farmer in CubaRuben Urribarres |
The MiG-19 is the first soviet supersonic fighter manufactured in series. He flies
for first time in January 5, 1954, and begins its serial produccion in two factories
of the USSR, being produced 2,069 MiG-19 until 1957.
He was manufactured for license
in Czechoslovakia (103 built as Aero S105) and China (4,000 Jian J-6/F-6).
MiG-19P N°88 in the DAAFAR Museum, Havana.
Photo Rubén
The USSR export the MiG-19 to 13 countries. In general the genuine MiG-19 was manufactured in little quantities and few used by the communist block (only 2,5 years in produccion), being the MiG Fighter with more problems and hight level of accidents, passing its users quickly to the MiG-21.
Only China achieves to put it ready finally in the Jian F-6, but to lack
of somewhat better. The MiG-19/F-6 fight in conflicts of Vietnam (against US,
Kampuchea, and China), in Yemen, Arabic - Israeli Wars of 1967 and 1973, Afghanistan,
Iran-Iraq, India-Pakistan of 1971, Tanzania-Uganda, Somalia, Sudan.
FAR: The First Latin American Air Force with supersonics fighters
By the Missile Crisis in October of 1962, remained in service 11 MiG-19P, all based in San Antonio in one Squadron. These aircraft participate in interceptions to the American aircrafts (see MiG-15), and in exercises in 1963.
The MiG-19P converts the FAR in the first Latin American Air Force with supersonics fighters. At the same time they are the first soviet interceptor with all weather capacity, thanks to its radar.
Myths around a fighter
The Cubans MiG-19 are object of several strangers legends in western sources. Like
the asseveration of that the Cubans MiG-19 "were used long time in Cuba" or "they
are yet in use". In reality the MiG-19 were the combat aircrafts with more short
career in Cuba, of alone 4 years, therefore they are received in November of 1961,
and when in 1966 arriving the MiG-21PFM, the MiG-19 are totally retired from the
service, passing first to conservation and after total drop. The same thing occurs
in other countries of the socialist block, therefore the MiG-19 was a problematic
fighter, with numerous accidents, and the very better MiG-21
already was available. In two FAR MiG-19 lost in accidents, lost the life the
soviet advisor Ivan Ivanovich and the Cuban pilot Ricardo Cabrera Hernandez.
Other legends speak about quantities of 40-65 MiG-19 in Cuba, or about versions
PF, PM and SF, all which is not correct. Alone 12 MiG-19 were received in total
in 1961, all of the version P. By the Missile Crisis in October of 1962,
remained in service 11 MiG-19P, all based in San Antonio in an Squadron. Today
remain two MiG-19P exposed in Cuba. One in the Museum of the DAAFAR, and another
in the san Antonio Air Base, both with the same original metallic scheme.
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 San Antonio Air Base,
April 15, 1963. Ceremony of the DAAFAR Day. The third airplane is the MiG-19P
N85, two MiG-15bis are seen too. Courtesy of the soviet pilot Mijail Isaev.
Profiles of the MiG-19 |
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Characteristics of the MiG-19P Farmer B
Interceptor
version of the basic MiG-19, but with all weather capacity by the radar RP-1,
linked to sight, for which the nose was extended 360 mm. The pilot seat was armored,
and other improvements. First flight performed August 28, 1954 and since 1955
is incorporated to the armament of the USSR.
| Year..........................................................1955
Lenght,m...................................................12,54 Wingspan, m...............................................9,00 Height,m.....................................................3,885 Wing area, m............................................25,00 Weights Empty weight, kg......................................5,468 Normal take off weight, kg........................7,348 Maximum take off weight, kg....................8,738 Fuel, kg...................................................1,700 Engine....................................2 x Mikulin RD-9B Dry thrust, kg.....................................2 x 2,600 After burning thrust.............................2 x 3,250 | Performances
Máximum Speed, km/h..................................1,370 Maximum Speed at sea level, km/h...............1,150 Range, km.....................................................1,474 Maximum Range with aditional fuel, km..........2,318 Ceiling, m....................................................17,600 Climb,m/s.........................................................115 G.........................................................................8 Armamento Guns......................................2 x NR-30 x 30 mm, with 120 rounds each Combat Load........................2 x S-5 rockets blocs x 57 mm, or two bombs of 50 to 250 kg |
See also:
Cuban MiG-15
Cuban MiG-17
Cuban MiG-19
Cuban MiG-21
Cuban MiG-21 in action
Operación Pico: Cuban MiG-21 over Dominican Republic
Cuban MiG-17 and MiG-21 in the Ogaden War (Ethiopia)
Cuban MiG-23
Cuban MiG-23 in action (air-to-ground missions in Angola)
Cuban MiG-23 in action (air-to-air missions in Angola)
Cuban MiG-29
External Links:
Cuban Air Force MiG-29 Fulcrum
Cuban MiGs
Cuban Military Forum
The MiG-29 Fighter
Cuban MiG-23 over Venezuela
Cuba in Africa, The Angola War
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