Select your desired text size:

Professionally recreated, this is a real blueprint - made directly from a vellum master - Measuring a generous 42"x 30".

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15. The MiG-15 was an unpleasant surprise to the West when it appeared over Korea. It had serious shortcomings in handling, equipment and armament, but its performance was superior to that of any Western fighter. The configuration, with the high-set swept wing, high tailplane and nose intake may have been inspired by the German Ta-183 design; the engine was a

← Acknowledgements and Bibliography

The prototype MiG-15 first flew in December 1947. It began appearing in service in 1949 and by 1952 it had been provided to a number of Communist satellite nations, including North Korea where it was used extensively against United Nations forces. The MiG-15 was deployed against American Air Forces in December of 1950 in Korea. On November 8, 1950, 1st Lt. Russell Brown, flying an F-80, shot down a MiG-15 in the first all-jet dogfight in history. It was apparent, however, that the MiG-15 was superior to any aircraft then in the US inventory.

Initial encounters with American aircraft led to the development of the MiG-15bis (improved). Its VK-1 engine had 1,000 lbs more thrust than the RD-45 engine of the earlier version, and had hydraulic ailerons. Although the MiG-15bis could climb faster and higher than the F-86, poor turning performance and high mach instability limited its dogfight performance. In aerial combat against the F-86, the MiG-15 suffered high losses, but against the B-29 it was very effective and prevented the heavy bombers from operating in daylight.