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In 1976, Soviet pilot Victor Belenko defected to Japan in a MiG-25 FOXBAT. That might be the instance you're thinking of, because the FOXBAT was believed to be an exceedingly high-tech titanium interceptor posing a high threat even to the American SR-71.
It turned out to be surprisingly crude, with titanium only on the leading edges of the wings and vacuum tube era technology. The engines were powerful enough to pop it up to MACH 3 for a short period of time, but those engines would be trashed after that sortie.
That, and a few other things, killed the image of the "ten-foot tall Soviet soldier" in my eyes.
The US, through the Japanese, eventually returned the airplane to the Soviets in many small crates.
Interesting story. Would you happen to know what happened to Belenko after that? BTW, it's a Ukrainian surname.
He became a naturalized citizen and eventually got set up pretty well in the US.
Happily ever after. Good for him! Thanks for the follow-up.
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