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All efforts made to keep the MiG-15 blueprint historically accurate
Developed on 42"x 30" uncut master sheet
Real blueprint, developed direct from a vellum master
Of Korean War fame, the MiG-15 (NATO code-name Fagot), was in production from 1948 until the mid-1950s, during which period many thousands were built and served with the air arms of the Soviet Union, China, Algeria, Albania, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Hungary, North Korea, Poland, the United Arab Republic and Rumania.
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Republic and Rumania. |
The type has been licensed-built in large numbers in Czechoslovakia and Poland. Over 1,000 were supplied to China alone.
The prototype MiG-15 made its first flight on 30 December 1947, powered by a Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet engine, which the British government had released for export.
The Mikoyan-Gurevich 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 copy of the Rolls-Royce Nene. 'Midget' was the trainer version. The MiG-15 is the most built jet fighter, with over 18000 produced. The US counterpart of this plane was the F-86 Sabre.
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.