Mikoyan-Gurevich I-250

The Mikoyan‑Gurevich I‑250 was an experimental Soviet fighter developed during the final years of World II by the design bureau that would later become the Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG. Initiated in 1943, the project aimed to bridge the performance gap between conventional piston‑engine fighters and emerging jet aircraft by employing a novel mixed‑propulsion system: a 1,700 hp Klimov VK‑107 inline engine coupled to a motor‑jet compressor that generated additional thrust using exhaust‑driven turbines. The aircraft featured a low‑wing monoplane layout, retractable landing gear, and an armament of two 23 mm cannons with provisions for additional rockets. Flight testing in 1945 demonstrated a top speed of roughly 720 km/h (447 mph) and a climb rate surpassing contemporary Soviet designs, but persistent reliability problems with the motor‑jet and coolant system prevented mass production. Although the I‑250 never entered service, its innovative use of combined propulsion provided valuable data that informed later Soviet jet programs, notably the MiG‑9 and MiG‑15. The aircraft stands as a transitional milestone, illustrating the rapid technological evolution that reshaped aviation in the mid‑twentieth century. Today the I‑250 is preserved in several Russian museums, serving as a tangible reminder of the bold experimental spirit that propelled Soviet aeronautics forward.

Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG

Mikoyan-Gurevich I-250

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification