Mikoyan Gurevich Mig-15 (Fagot)
The Mikoyan Gurevich Mig-15, the first jet to claim a jet verses jet kill, during the Korean war. The claim is that a Mig-15 (piloted by a Soviet pilot) brought down an F-80C, during an attack on a North Korean airfield. However, the USAF claim the F-80C was downed by ground fire. This is something I hope to investigate further, as it would make an ideal image for a drawing.
On a similar note, the first confirmed (by both sides) jet verses jet combat where a plane was brought down was on the 9th November 1950 when a F9F Panther of VF-111 shot down a Mig-15. Interesting insight about these episodes can be found at http://www.korean-war.com/ussraircombat.html.
History of the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
Built around a copy and redesigned version of the British supplied Rolls Royce “Nene” jet engine, the Mig-15 was a nasty surprise to the West when it made its combat debut in the skies over North Korea.
The Mig-15 entered service with the Soviet air force in 1949, with and improved version, Mig-15bis following in 1950. A 2 seat trainer version, the Mig-15UTI followed into service soon after.
Mig-15’s first saw combat in the Chinese civil war, when a Russian piloted Mig-15 shot down a Nationalist P-38 Lightning.
However the Mig-15 is better known for its role in the Korean war, and the air battles fought in “Mig Alley”.
It was during the Korean war, that jet verses jet combat first occurred, and the Mig-15 is the first jet to have downed another, when a Soviet piloted Mig-15 shot down a USAF F-80C Shooting Star.
The Mig-15 has been used by many air forces and license built by Czechoslovakia and Poland.
The follow on for the MiG-15 was the MiG-17 Fresco.
Versions
Mig-15
| Speed | Weight | Span | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 589mph (cruise), 668mph (max) | 8,115lb (empty), 13,500lb (max) | 33ft | 36ft 3in |
Users
| Country | Service | Model | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Airforce | Mig-15 | 1957 to 1980s |
| Albania | Airforce | Mig-15 | 1955 to 2000 |
| Algeria | Airforce | Mig-15 | 1962 to ? |
| Angola | Airforce and Air Defence Force | Mig-15 | ? |
| Bulgaria | Airforce | Mig-15 | 1951 to 1955 |
| Burkina Faso | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Cambodia | Airforce | Mig-15 | 1963 to 1968 |
| People’s Republic of China | Airforce and Navy | Mig-15 | 1950s to 1990s |
| Republic of Congo | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Cuba | Airforce | Mig-15 | 1960 to 1998 |
| Czechoslovakia | Airforce | Mig-15 | 1953 to ? |
| East Germany | Airforce | Mig-15 | 1956 to 1990 |
| Egypt | Airforce | Mig-15 | 1955 to 1980s |
| Finland | Airforce | Mig-15 UTI | ? to 1975 |
| Guinea | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Guinea-Bissau | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Hungary | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Indonesia | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Iraq | Airforce | Mig-15 | 1958 to 1991 |
| Laos | Airforce | Mig-15 | 1977 to 1980s |
| Libya | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Mali | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Mongolia | Airforce | Mig-15 | 1950s to 1990s |
| Morocco | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Mozambique | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Nigeria | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| North Korea | Airforce | Mig-15 | 1950 to 1975 |
| Vietnam (North) | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| North Yemen | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Pakistan | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Poland | Airforce and Navy | Mig-15 | ? |
| Romania | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Somalia | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Soviet Union | Airforce and Air Defence Force | Mig-15 | 1948 to 1970s |
| Sri Lanka | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Sudan | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Syria | Airforce | Mig-15 | Late 1950 to 1967 |
| Tanzania | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Uganda | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
| Yemen | Airforce | Mig-15 | ? |
Sources and Reference
Books
Web
YouTube
www.skyfender.com video “Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 Fagot Jet Fighter Aircraft”
Stuart Fowle is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk.
