The tailwheel of MiG-3 was retractable backwards, and its vanes were closed by doors:

• flat on MiG-1, that had a smaller wheel;
• with a window to protrude the wheel on early type MiG-3;
• bulged on late type MiG-3.

The doors were actioned by the oblique rods visible on the upper leg sides. The wheel functioning was unreliable, so it was often locked in open position by removing the doors. The bay was often closed by some tissue cover.

The wheel has a full rubber tyre.