I bought and read the defecting pilot’s book (now given to a friend) when it was first published many years ago.
I think this statement was wrong.>
“Although pilot defections during the Cold War were not a rarity, what made Belenko’s defection unique was the fact that the MiG-25 was completely unknown in the West. “
We already new what this plane was capable of in speed, but not the actual construction. What we did not know was when the bursts of speed took place, the plane needed major repairs.
It was an very interesting book, concerning life in the military in the USSR.
I read “Mig Pilot” more than 35 years ago...I think I’ll pick up another copy used and read it again.