The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 is a Soviet second generation, single-seat, twinjet fighter aircraft. It was the first Soviet production aircraft capable of supersonic speeds in level flight. A comparable U.S. "Century Series" fighter was the North American F-100 Super Sabre, although the MiG-19 primarily fought against the more modern McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and Republic F-105 Thunderchief over North Vietnam. This aircraft was originally used by the Soviet Union but it was later used by the People's Liberation Army Air Force of China.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19
MiG-19PM with drop tanks.
MiG-19PM shows the nose inlet housing the radar.
MiG-19 in Tiraspol
Jet fighter generations classify the major technology leaps in the historical development of the jet fighter. Different authorities have identified different technology jumps as the key ones, dividing fighter development into different numbers of generations. Five generations are now widely recognised, with the development of a sixth under way.
The Me 262 was the first operational jet fighter.
The MiG-21 was the most widely produced jet fighter in history.
The Hawker Siddeley Harrier was the first operational attack aircraft with vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) capabilities.
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat was one of the first operational fourth-generation jet fighters.