The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 was a single-engine Soviet fighter aircraft that served during World War II. It was designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau, led by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich, and first flew in 1939.

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The MiG-3 was developed as an improvement on the earlier MiG-1, which was a short-range interceptor. The MiG-3 was designed with a longer range in mind, and an improved armament system. The MiG-3 was designed to have superior speed, climbing, turning and diving capabilities, making it a formidable fighter aircraft.

The MiG-3 saw extensive combat during World War II, serving on the Eastern Front and in the North African and Mediterranean theaters. It was used in defense of the Soviet Union, and saw action in the battles for Stalingrad and Kursk. The aircraft proved to be effective against German planes, and was credited with shooting down over 600 enemy aircraft.

While the MiG-3 was a successful aircraft in combat, it had several issues with safety. The aircraft was considered to be underpowered and unreliable, and had a tendency to stall in high-speed maneuvers. Additionally, the plane was prone to flameouts due to the fuel system, which could be fatal for the pilot.

Despite these issues, the MiG-3 was considered to be a revolutionary aircraft for its time. The plane was the first Soviet fighter to be equipped with a modern fire-control system, which was far superior to the systems used by other aircraft at the time. Additionally, the plane was the first to have a pressurized cockpit, allowing the pilot to fly at higher altitudes without the need for oxygen masks.

The MiG-3 is still relatively common today, although it is mainly used as a warbird and for air shows. There are still a few operational MiG-3s flying in the former Soviet Union, and a few are still used by the Russian military.

Overall, the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 was a revolutionary aircraft for its time, combining superior speed and maneuverability with advanced fire-control and pressurized cockpit systems. While the plane was not without its issues, it was a successful and important fighter aircraft that served in World War II and is still relatively common today.