The Unrealized Potential of the MiG-29

In the late 1970s, the Soviet Union would develop a new fighter aircraft which, for a time, rivalled the F-16 as the best dogfighter in the sky. The MiG-29 Fulcrum - as it became known - was a great design. As time has gone on, the aircraft has remained a part of Russia’s inventory, although outclassed by the newer Flanker variants, and new models of the original western rivals, like the Viper and Eagle. In this video we will look at the classic Cold War fighter, the Fulcrum, which despite its public reputation, was sadly overlooked for sustained development. For over two decades it has arguably never reached its full potential.

CONTENTS
00:00 Intro
00:59 Background & Development
02:32 MiG-29 vs F-16
06:30 Downfall 7 rise of the Flanker
09:36 MiG-29M & MiG-35
10:47 Wrap Up

_____________ Disclaimer _____________
Original footage and recreated scenes (using DCS, War Thunder, etc) may not be 100% accurate to the event being described but has been used for dramatic effect. This is because there may not have been original footage of a particular event available, or copyright prevents us from showing it. Our aim is to be as historically true as we can be given the materials available.

Copyright disclaimer under fair dealing sections ss 40/103C, ss 41/103A,ss 42/103B of the Copyright Act which includes research, study, criticism, review, and reporting of news. Copyright remains with the respective owners. These videos are made for educational purposes only.

The Australian Military Aviation History Association is a not-for-profit association with the intent of recording, preserving and promoting Australian military aviation history.

[captainseyepatch]

Look... say what you will... but.

The Mig-29 airframe is BEAUTIFUL.

[trumanhw]

The 1980s music was a beautiful touch. Thanks! Great video.

[johngori]

The MiG-29 was awesome when introduced. It could out-maneuver its Western counter-parts, and had an innovative IR Search-Track system with LASER rangefinder that provided fire control inputs for its gunsight. That IRST also worked well when ECM degraded RADARs or against low-altitude targets. Despite what is presented here, in a turn it easily out-performed the F-16/F-18, visually "translating aft" on the Americans' cockpits. Its helmet sight and R-73 missile gave it an enormous advantage in visual range combat. It's weakness was in BVR (Beyond Visual Range) combat, but the F-16 sucked at that at the time as well and the F-18 wasn't much better with only Sparrow missiles at that point. It "died" as a design because the USSR went bankrupt and stopped developing it. The F-16/F-18 went on to get AMRAAM missiles and better RADARs while the Fulcrum didn't get serious BVR capability until the Su-35 variant. When introduced, though, it literally flew circles around the F-16 & F-18.

[oxcart]

I remember that the British Harrier test pilot John Farley asked the Russian reps at its first visit to England about its handling characteristics and it turned out that a few of them recognised him and offered him a flight! He loved it. Especially at low speeds

[bariole]

They say it was price that killed it. Mig-29's bill of ownership was was about 80% of Su-27. It was too expensive to exist next to Su-27. There was single engine version in development, called Izdeliye 33 which would be less capable, but much more balanced. A true successors to Mig-21.

[mattg]

I appreciate how the briefing is geared toward an informed viewer.

[tomasbeblar]

This channel is going to blow up as soon as the YouTube algorithm finds it.

[mrrolandlawrence]

Super information as always. I recall seeing a Russian general commenting on the Mig 29 - "the Mig 29 programme cost was 30% less than the Su 27 but with half the performance". The engines had a habit of exploding unexpectedly. They are super smoky - a dead giveaway on location. Also you are going to be strapping on a fuel tank to go anywhere. The Mig 29 was meant to protect the airfields and bases. Hence it's short range. I recall seeing it at farnborough when they were there the 1st time in the early 1990s. It was quite the exciting guest.

[NnjaSnake]

The music set the mood and the video didn't disappoint.

[MrCashewkitty]

There's a fabtastic interview here on YouTube with an American pilot who got to log many hours in the Mig while doing a pilot exchange in India. He said much of the same. Very touchy. Very dangerous. Very rough in fit, finish, and avionics. He said its covered in roug looking rivets and was intimidating to get in such an unrefined beast. Sketchy. He did say it was very capable once he got used to it.

[lio]

Love the 80's background music together with the retro footage

[enhancedutility]

Mig-29 is a really good aircraft but I think it's full potential of this airframe is the mig-35

[Pushing_Pixels]

One important advantage the MiG-29 had early on was its IRST system. As a short range defensive dogfighter this would be pretty useful, especially when being guided to the fight by ground based radar.

[horusfalcon]

Nicely done! Folks like to underestimate the Fulcrum, but it is still a very capable aircraft, and more especially so in the MiG-35 variant.

[DrGrove]

Unrelated question: what is that absolute banger of a song called? I also heard it in the Tigershark video

[hikigayahachiman]

This aircraft is like a student in school who has great potential but ignored by everyone

[jiggsborah]

Great topics on your channel and I enjoy it immensely.

[nimaiiikun]

F-4: want a smoke?
MiG-29: Thanks but I got my own

[kalactose]

The most beautiful aircraft ever made.

[janusz]

Star of Ace Combat series and War Thunder.

45 years of MiG-29 "Fulcrum" in 2022 and 30 years of Ace Combat series in 2025.