Mig-21/Tu-144 Analog

The MiG-21I (21-11; A-144) «Analog» was a flying test bed, developed for research and development of the delta wing of the Tu-144 passenger airplane.

Two prototypes were built. The first was used to develop elevon control system for tailless aircraft. All four elevon sections were based all over wingspan. The second was tested at the Gromov Flight Research Institute. The wing leading edge was testing with sweepback of 78, and with special cameras in a pod behind the cockpit and on the top of the fin. In the nose and tail part of the aircraft a 290 kg remote mass balance weight was used to change the centre-of-gravity.

On 18 April 1968 the maiden flight was performed by test pilot O.V.Gudkov, with 140 flights performed until the end of 1969, with the aircraft reaching altitude of 19000 m and speed of 212 km/h to 2,06M. After completion of the main test program, during which FRI test pilot V.Konstantinov crashed the first prototype performing aerobatics, the second prototype was handed over to Monino Air Force Museum after carrying out of tests and training of Tu-144 pilots.