the coolest thing ever on Ebay

[Adam]

For a single-seat interceptor, the MiG-25 is a huge aircraft! Doesn't it still hold World Records for Operational Combat aircraft in terms of maximum altitude (something mind-boggling like 120,000ft), and max speed? (remember, the SR-71 ain't a combat unit )

Your friend must need an empty 707 hangar just to park his -25.

[theFONZ]

MIG-25s have been clocked unoffically at mach 3, the second fastest plane in the world. With that said I beleive the SR-71 has a much higher top speed than the 3.2 that was released. I beleive it is closer to 4 or more. The US just wanted the fastest plane so 3.2 was good enough to release.

What happend to the good ol' days?

[944jeff]

Here's a 21 that's coming in soon...

[MichiganMat]

you guys are blowin my mind.

my mind is officially blown.

[}{arlequin]

I don't mean to be nosy, but are you guys just getting these things for fun? Is this just for museums and restoration? Private owners bored w/ Enzos? I know if I had those skills (flying) I'd be dying after a P-51 or a Spit, and I'd probably be very happy w/ an "all manual controls" replica too. Kinda like an RS replica... And, given the availability, having a Mig 21 or even one of the newer (29?) ones wouldn't be such a bad hobby.

How much does a Mig 21 cost anyway? Where do you go to buy them? Is this the kind of machine an amateur pilot could maintain??? Sorry about the "inquisition" but I'm just bombarded by these thoughts.

[944jeff]

Its a private museum (tax & gov benefits)... been heen helping with P-51s and a Corsair also. My friend is the buyer and expert on them. I'm not at liberty to disclose how he gets them exactly and for how much, although they are an extremley good investment. I can tell you that ex-governments consider a lot of them scrap when they really aren't and there are plenty of parts available. I am an ameuture pilot. You need 500 hours for a straight wing jet or 1000 for swept and then you need 10 hours of intruction for your type rating. Then you need lots of $$$ for fuel!

[JavaBrewer]

That is really something. A whole new reason to get rich! I can't believe they would let joe-sixpack fly one of these things in U.S. airspace.

I'm suprised that John Travolta doesn't have a Mig29 or similar. Got a design mag the other day showing his house with runway and house side parking for his business jet and 707.

[}{arlequin]

Thanks for the info Jeff. That is just way too cool. Once they are refurbished, does anyone ever fly them?

Any, and I really mean any, fighter plane or jet, is the only way to upgrade your adrenaline once you leave the ground. (Skydivers, base jumpers, gliders... it's something, but it's like comparing a skateboard to a GP bike) To have a military fighter at your disposal, kind of like an airborne F1 car with "balls" must really be something.

Wasn't there a business in Russia where you could show up w/ some US cash and they would give you rides in Migs? Even let you control it once you're up there?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I got an up-close look at a 17 under restoration a while back - I was absolutely amazed at how crude it was. COUNTERWEIGHTED control surfaces (on a Mach 1+ aircraft!), no flush riveting, etc. It's basically all engine and some hardpoints. Essentially designed to take off, fire missiles, and land.

I'm suprised those things could ever dogfight!

I'd love to get a little stick time on a vintage jet; the fuel costs alone would kill you for ownership though, even a fractional. . . I'd probably only be able to get 5 hours a year in one, if that.

[944jeff]

Iskra TS-11 is flying, barrell rolls and loops are a blast! 17 is about to fly, seee pic of high speed taxi...

[}{arlequin]

keep 'em coming. Any others you have we'll gladly look at too.

[944jeff]

He bought this A-4 recently...

[dd74]

Mr. Gorbachev: sell me that plane!