Description

This autobiography of a prominent Soviet Air Force pilot–and son of long-time Politburo member Anastas Mikoyan–provides extraordinary insight into the political and social life of the leadership of the USSR from the days of Stalin to the breakup of the communist regime. It is the story of a man dedicated to flying, first in defence of the Soviet Union in World War II, and later testing a new generation of Russian jet fighters during the Korean and Vietnam wars and throughout the Cold War period. Mikoyan’s flying career began in 1941 when, after graduating from the Kacha Military Aviation Fighter-Pilot School, he joined the 11th Fighter Regiment in the defence of Moscow and Stalingrad. After World War II he studied at the Military Aviation Engineering Academy and became a test-pilot at the Research Flight-Test Institute of the Soviet Air Force. He tested such early jet fighters as the MiG 15 and 17, analysing their combat worthiness in comparison to the West’s Sabre and other new designs. Beginning in 1959 he headed the fighter testing division of the Institute and in 1965 he became the Institute’s second-in-command. Mikoyan writes about many of the 102 types of fighter, bomber, and other aircraft he flew–including those of his uncle Artem Mikoyan–during his long career. As a key figure in the rapid development of aircraft and equipment for the Soviet Air Force, he can offer valuable personal commentary on both the people and machines involved in a period previously shrouded in secrecy. Twenty-four pages of photographs accompany this self study of a man who influenced a critical period in aviation history.