Abandoned MiG‑19 Fighter, Georgia

An abandoned Soviet-era MiG-19 fighter jet stands mounted on a high plinth in a remote corner of Georgia. Its nose peeks out from the trees that surround it. This MiG‑19 was mounted as a static display in what was once a Soviet military base. Similar displays can still be found in former Soviet states, often marking entry points to air bases or as part of commemorating installations.

In 2020, I had the opportunity to visit the site during a regional trip. The aircraft’s height and the dense vegetation made it hard to photograph from the ground. I borrowed my friend’s drone, and soon I was flying around the old Soviet aircraft, capturing my shots.

About the MiG‑19 (Soviet Supersonic Fighter)

The MiG‑19 (NATO reporting name: Farmer) was the Soviet Union’s first mass-produced supersonic fighter capable of maintaining supersonic speeds in level flight. Developed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau, it first flew in 1952 and entered operational service by 1955. The model was intended to replace the earlier MiG‑15 and MiG‑17, offering better performance against the next generation of Western aircraft. Over 2,000 units were produced in the USSR.

The MiG‑19 had a relatively short front-line service life in the USSR. By the 1960s it was already being replaced by the more capable MiG‑21. Notably, MiG‑19s saw active combat with North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. While less popular with pilots than the later MiG‑21, its agility and heavy armament still made it an effective fighter (particularly at lower altitudes).

Most air forces gradually phased out the model by the 1980s due to its limitations, including its short range and maintenance complexity.

Design and Flight Characteristics

The MiG‑19 featured twin engines, sharply swept wings (55 degrees), and an all-metal fuselage. It featured two Tumansky RD‑9 turbojet engines, the aircraft was capable of reaching speeds above Mach 1.2.

Early production variants experienced serious flight and safety issues. Engine overheating, poor stability at high speed, and instability during descent were all concerns. Later improvements introduced heat shielding, upgraded tailplane controls, and improved instrumentation.

Several variants of the MiG-19 were produced during its service. This specific model is MiG-PT first produced in 1963. This advanced modification saw the aircraft kitted out with an expanded range of air-to-air missiles. These included the addition of Atoll heat-seeking missiles, a notable upgrade over the cannon-only earlier MiG‑19. During the 1960s, most MiG-19s were upgraded to this model as part of modernisation programmes.

The Rarity of the MiG‑19 Today

The MiG‑19 is now a relatively rare sight. Most were scrapped or lost in battle, with only a handful preserved in museums or mounted as static monuments. Unlike the MiG‑21, which became one of the most produced and widely exported aircraft of the Cold War, the MiG‑19 was quickly overshadowed by its successors.

This particular example is one of the few remaining intact airframes.