In 1954, the decision was made in the USSR to begin production of the MiG-19 fighter aircraft, which was the result of work on the experimental aircraft SM-2, SM-2/2, and SM-9 at the Mikoyan and Gurevich design bureau. In March 1955, the first MiG-19 frontline fighters entered service. The MiG-19 had a pressurised cockpit in which the seated pilot wore a special anti-G suit, the design of which was developed in the 1950s and is still in use today.
Test flights of the SM-9 revealed improper operation of the elevators at high speeds. The only solution turned out to be the use of an all-moving horizontal tailplane (a one-piece unit without a separate fixed stabiliser and movable elevator). Work on it began in early 1954 on the experimental SM-9/2, on which flight tests commenced in September 1954. Further serious problems with control and stability emerged. These were addressed by incorporating into the control system an automatic device that deflected the all-moving horizontal tailplane by the appropriate angle for a given speed and applied corresponding forces to the pilot’s control stick. More effective air brakes were introduced, enlarged by an additional surface deploying from the lower, central part of the fuselage. The pilot rescue system was improved. The gun armament was also strengthened by installing 3 rapid-fire 30 mm cannons (replacing the 23 mm cannons).
The ability to carry 2 external tanks and other underwing ordnance (bombs and unguided rockets) was retained. The SM-9/2 and the subsequent SM-9/3 became the basis for production of a new, improved version of the aircraft (incorporating all previously introduced changes), named MiG-19S. The MiG-19, -19S, and -19SW were produced in the USSR at 2 factories, totalling 1083 examples.
Czechoslovakia purchased the licence for production of the MiG-19S in 1956. Between 1958 and 1961, 103 aircraft (+1 for static testing) were produced there under the designation S-105. The MiG-19 was also produced under licence in the People’s Republic of China from 1959 to 1986. It became the basis for developing the new Q-5 fighter-bomber there.
During the trials of the new fighter, the need arose to develop an interceptor version capable of operating at night and in all weather conditions.
In 1954, the SM-7 aircraft appeared, based on the MiG-19 design, with a RP-1 “Izumrud” radar gunsight installed in a modified forward fuselage section. The interceptor fighter entered production under the designation MiG-19P. The same name was given to the subsequent aircraft (SM-7/2), tested in 1955, based on the technical and aerodynamic solutions applied in the MiG-19S. It was fitted with an RP-5 radar gunsight (an improved RP-1 with greater range and better resistance to jamming).
Some of the produced aircraft were equipped with the “Gorizont-1” radio device, facilitating ground-controlled interception of airborne targets. The gun armament was limited to 2 cannons cal. 30 mm, and the external ordnance was similar to the MiG-19S. The MiG-19P was produced at 1 factory, totalling 433 examples. Its licensed production was also carried out in the People’s Republic of China.
In 1956, 7 MiG-19P aircraft were modified, adapting them to carry RS-1U guided missiles. The aircraft received the designation MiG-19PM. Another 2 MiG-19P aircraft were adapted for the RS-2U guided missile (K-5M Complex), guided by the radio wave beam emitted by the RP-2U radar gunsight.
The fighter was directed to mass production under the designation MiG-19PM (type 65). Its armament consisted
of 4 RP-2U guided missiles launched from rail launchers suspended on pylons under the wings. Alongside them, 2 additional fuel tanks were carried; no gun armament or other external stores were envisaged. In the USSR, the aircraft was produced at one factory, totalling 369 examples. It was also built in the People’s Republic of China.
In the late 1950s, work was underway in the USSR to improve the aircraft. In order to better fulfil the interceptor role, efforts were made to install a superior weapons and equipment system (SM-12PM, -12PMU).
Poland operated the MiG-19P and MiG-19PM aircraft. The fighters were delivered in 1958 and 1959 and were used until 1974. In total, 33 aircraft of both types were purchased for Polish aviation. The MiG-19PM and -19P went down in the history of Polish aviation as the first fighters capable of supersonic speed.
| Wingspan | 9.0 m |
| Length | 13.02 m |
| Takeoff weight | 7880 kg |
| Maximum speed | 1250 km/h |
| Ceiling | 16800 m |
| Range | (with external tanks) 1910 km |
| Armament | 2 fixed 30mm cannons, guided missiles |
| Engine | 2 x RD-9B with thrust of 2 x 3250 kG |
