Russia's 70,000ft PANIC JET — The Absurd Yak-25RV Mandrake
The Yakovlev Yak-25RV Mandrake was the Soviet Union's desperate response to the American U-2 spy plane. Built by stripping swept wings from an interceptor and bolting on massive 77-foot straight glider wings, this high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft struggled to perform at 70,000 feet. Pilots faced extreme risks from compressor stalls and the dreaded coffin corner. Unable to catch the U-2, the flawed Yak-25RV found new life as live bait for Soviet surface-to-air missile training.
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