Mig 25 Foxbat Defector Viktor Belenko

I was surfing around some declassified air force material and blundered onto a document describing the stolen Mig-25 Foxbat in Japan in 1976. That began a deep dive into the event and there are many versions of the story. One can keep finding new stuff as it was a heavily reported event. More news of the outcome was learned from inside Russia after the Soviet Union collapsed in the 90's. Here is a version of the story on September 6, 1976 when Viktor Belenko stole a brand new Mikoyan Mig-25 Foxbat.
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[@AmericaVoice]

Thank you very much for your time in producing this video! 😊

[@ontheroadwithnorm2024]

My pleasure!

[@maximilliancunningham6091]

God Speed Victor, fly high, fly fast, fly far.

[@johnwatson3948]

True or not - Belenko said in his book that he was so low on fuel he got a recorded voice warning “danger low fuel” that he didn’t even know existed. Though having a trust fund he also said his goal was to continue as a pilot and one day fly the 747, which I assume did not happen.

[@ashcarrier6606]

I think I read his book twice. His reaction to American grocery stores was amusing. His first one the CIA took him to, he dismissed it as just a "special" store for the privileged class. They gave him a car and told him to go wherever he wanted, just phone in daily. He noticed that groceries like Kroger were everywhere and for everybody.

[@ontheroadwithnorm2024]

Yes I read that book a few times too. I think he accidentally ate cat food which he thought was great.

[@berko9608]

Rest in Peace, retired US Air Force Colonel Viktor Belenko. (Feb 15 1947 - Sep 24 2023). You were and remain a non-official hero of our people, an example of man's desire for Freedom. In Slavic languages, the word [mig] means an instant, a moment. This word is consonant to the name of the aircraft. After September 1974, we loved to sing a song from a soviet film (1972): “There is only a *MiG* between the past and the future, This moment is called а life".

[@ontheroadwithnorm2024]

Did he make Colonel? I did not know he entered service in the west. He was de-breifed for five months and remained a consultant for many years after he defected but I thought he stayed civilian.

[@berko9608]

@@ontheroadwithnorm2024 Non-staff expert-consultant to the Pentagon; Teacher at the military academy; Friend of the legendary Chuck Yeager; On Yeager’s recommendation, Belenko began working as a consulting engineer for an aircraft and space company. He retired with the rank of colonel in the US Air Force.

[@Idahoguy10157]

The report I recall said the engines were tested to the point of being damaged or ruined

[@ontheroadwithnorm2024]

That's awesome. I have read that several times too. I'll bet they took sample pieces of the ruined engines for metal analysis. I don't know if they wrecked both engines but I suspect they did.

[@igortchernowitzer927]

he fled from evil empire in spite of soviet system. He hijacked secret and advanced plane in spite of soviet military.. he lived good life and died from natural cause in spite of KGB/FSB who tried to kill him. Bravo Victor. You proved meaning of your name

[@larky368]

In WW2 the U.S. had the same tank doctrine as the Soviets of build it fast, cheap, simple and in huge numbers. The Germans on the other hand would build it complex and in fewer numbers. But that was because they had limited resources and so they had to go with quality over quantity. After the war the Soviets lacked the technical expertise and so they continued with their approach but the Americans had the time and the resources to build elegant and sophisticated weaponry. They were amazed at the crudeness and simplicity of the Mig 25 but realized that it was still able to get the job done. Which doctrine was better? It's hard to say because not only does the U.S build the best weapons but they back them up with superior training and support. They wiped out the Iraqi tanks with superior tactics, weapons, recon, satellites, night vision. In other words. they swat a fly with not one but a hundred state of the art sledgehammers.

[@ashcarrier6606]

Nothing wrong with Soviet R&D. Where they fell short was in quality control/quality assurance. America's stealth fighter and bomber programs came from a Soviet scientist's published research paper. One of our guys read it and understood the possibilities.

[@vintibo]

4:33 Hakodate, not Hokodate.

[@ontheroadwithnorm2024]

Thank-you, I appreciate the correction.

[@donadams8345]

I read a book many years ago about Mr. Belenko. Even though he was an officer his life was very austere and not at all pleasant in the Russian far east with not much of a future to look forward to. This led him to defect.

[@ontheroadwithnorm2024]

Life was not good in many places, especially an airbase in eastern Russia. His marriage had fallen apart and his wife had announced she was leaving and going to live with her mother.

[@trevorfitzgerald4996]

So Victor stole an aircraft, probably got paid well for that.

[@ontheroadwithnorm2024]

Yes he got a trust fund monthly allowance for life. USA citizenship after four years

[@ericrotsinger9729]

A steel jet?

[@ontheroadwithnorm2024]

yes it was dominantly steel. titanium leading edges. almost no aluminum, just on the interior. left vertical stabilizer houses the radar receiver - the front and top look like they are composite similar to western aircraft.

[@ramjet4025]

does not do the story justice

[@ontheroadwithnorm2024]

Correct, to do this one properly I would need to script it properly after a more formal research pass. I would spend a few days on it if I did it again. Retirement project.

[@berko9608]

@@ontheroadwithnorm2024 I recommend finding on the Internet the detailed memoirs of Viktor Belenko’s colleague, pilot Viktor Podmoloda. Podmoloda took part in the search expedition and in the reconstruction of the initial stage of Belenko’s flight. Original text at the website of the military school SVVAULSH. Search by context “ ВИКТОР ПОДМОЛОДА. ПОЛЁТ БЕЗ ВОЗВРАТА, или попытка приблизить истину. “ (Viktor Pomomododa. Flight Without Return, or an attempt to bring the truth closer. “ Seven web pages with photographs and glossary, Russian language. Beginning of memoirs on page with index 86. Available through TOR The epilogue is unrealistic. Invented by the author in order to obtain permission for hosting.

[@berko9608]

@@ontheroadwithnorm2024 Right to left 68.tnetnoc?php.tnetnoc/ur.hsluavvs