Look at the beefed-up undercarriage on that thing. It could land on a patch of dirt (and frequently did)
It is also said to carry a toolkit for in-field service and repairs.
Hartmann had to crash land his plane his first two times in combat. This was on the Steppes of Russia. He thought you only bailed out if both wings fell off and the plane was on fire.
He went on the shoot down 352 Russian planes confirmed and probably double that in actuality.
I have owned several Russian weapons - rifles and pistols of both modern and historic vintages.
I can attest to their being not necessarily “glamorous” but built with “substance.” Kind of like Timex watches - they “keep a linking and keep on ticking.”
I think it’s a preoccupation of all Russian designers.
< /johncameronswayze >