MiG Fin Area

I have an interesting book of photos of the East German air force just before the collapse of the Soviet Union. It includes pictures of all aircraft types in service, and a few that were just lying around.

Close inspection of these pictures makes an interesting journey through soviet design. One thing becomes obvious, and that is the huge amount of fin area all the MiGs had (and still have). The MiG 23 even has a folding fin under the tail.

So why did they need so much lateral control? Are the fuselages too short? (!)

Bri 😉