Mikojan-Gurevič I-230

the Mikoyan-Gurevich I-230 - the history of aeroplane[/heading]

the MiG-3 he was one of three modern fighter aircraft, which the Soviet union had available at the time of the invasion by Germany. High-altitude characteristics of the aircraft were not very suitable for deployment in the role of front-line fighters, the weakness was also machine-gun armament, so they were in the production of the favoured fighter aircraft LaGG-3 and As-1. Design bureau (OKB-155) AND. Also. Mikojana and M. Also. Gureviče should address in particular the development of high-altitude fighter aircraft.

A direct successor of the Mig-3 was the aircraft of the I-230(D), later known as the MiG-3U. Work on the project began not long after the outbreak of war, but the work was interrupted because it was necessary to the moscow plant no. 1, to evacuate further inland to Kujbyševa in the Novosibirsk region.

In the meantime, they were to specify the requirements for the new plane:
1.) Had to simplify the manufacture of the fuselage, the MiG-3 had all-metal construction, which was in the central part is covered by aluminum panels - I-230 had the all-wood shell from millimeter plywood, in the high school section was increased to three layers.
2.) In the wings were now metal beam that had a higher strength and allowed to better organize the internal spaces of the wing
3.) Major modifications through the cooling system and oil cooler.
4.) The cabin was moved even more backwards, it had to significantly worsen the already bad view of the pilot during takeoff and landing – the measure was enlargement of the glazed area.
5.) Armament was increased to two cannons ŠVAK, each with a stock of 150 hand grenades, shooting could be guided by one or both cannons at the same time.
6.) Because the engine AM-35A is already produced, has been modified, the engine AM-38F, thus, the engine of the battle Il-2, this engine was heavier and thus forced the shift of the cab. Adjustments had to ensure the optimization of the engine to a great height. Some sources indicate that it was used a modified engine AM-35A, but that was sufficiently the height of production, but the production was discontinued, because it was the need to ensure capacity for the production of the engine AM-38.
7.) It was necessary to install a larger undercarriage wheels.

The first aircraft was completed in the summer of 1942 and soon after was fly, in 1943, passed the state tests. The aircraft had constant problems with the tightness of the engine, often it is mentioned, that was from oil from the propeller after the same tail. Before that it was ordered five aircraft as a validation series. One of these aircraft had an enlarged margin at 11,000 m (can be traced and an indication 11,140 m) the increased bearing area at 18.00, respectively, at 18,22 m2 for this aircraft increased altitude on 11 900 – 12 000 m. the Aircraft was recommended to the production with the condition that will be eliminated a leak in the engine.

Three aircraft have been tentatively deployed in the defence of Moscow at the 12. GIAP, here again manifested in leakage of the engine and one aircraft is sent back to the factory. Pilots of this unit's aircraft I-230(D) rejected as unsuitable for operational deployment.

sources:
Bill Gunston and Yefim Gordon, MiG Aircraft sience 1937, Putnam Aeronautical Books, an imprint of Brasseys OK Ltd. ISBN 0-85177-884-4
L+K no. 14/1978, Aircraft 39-45, Mikoyan-Gurjevič I-23(D) and I-231(2D), Václav Němeček.
http://www.airwar.ru/enc/fww2/mig3u.html
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