MiG-15 in Korean Combat

**relicz** · 10-29-2012, 09:38 PM

by Gunny Hartmann

Quoting Chuck Yeager: “It’s the man, not the machine”.

+1 - 10:1 kill ratio says it all!

**Thanatos** · 10-29-2012, 09:54 PM

Have a look at History channels 'Dogfights" for an computer generated comparison between the two types.It's very good.
It was the F-86 that carried the day against the Mig15 in the end mainly due to the fact it was a better gun platform than the Mig 15 which was faster and more agile.Also the new American G suit was a big factor.
In the end it came down to the skill of the pilot though.The real 86 vs 15 battles over Mig Alley were between Russian advisors (Honchos) and USAF pilots.
Cheers
Dave

**Gunny Hartmann** · 10-29-2012, 09:58 PM

I read somewhere that the mig wasn't really designed as a dogfighter, it was developed as an interceptor against US bombers. If that's the case it put up a hell of a good show!...

**zwerge** · 10-30-2012, 02:35 AM

So,what do you use an old MiG for? To blow snow off of railroad tracks.

**Walkwolf** · 10-30-2012, 03:37 AM

Sure gets the troops to the front in a hurry.........!

**Thanatos** · 10-30-2012, 04:09 AM

The Klimov RD 45 used in the Mig15 is actually a copy of the Rolls Royce Nene I believe.

**zwerge** · 10-30-2012, 04:39 AM

by Thanatos

The Klimov RD 45 used in the Mig15 is actually a copy of the Rolls Royce Nene I believe.

Yes it was,when they improved and upgraded it they renamed it VK-1,they never paid any royalties to Rolls Royce.

**AZPhil** · 10-30-2012, 05:03 AM

Yes, It all depended on who was behind the stick!!!! Soviet pilot VS American pilot DRAW!! NK or Chinese, We kicked their ass everyday!!!! So sounds like Chuck was right. Its the Man that made the difference!
Semper Fi
Phil

**lithgow** · 10-30-2012, 05:31 AM

The Mig 15 had superior performance at altitude and a much better 'modern' cannon armament compared to the 6 x .50 Brownings of the Sabre-to help restore the performance balance the F86E was introduced with leading edge slats for better manoeuvring as an emergency response by USAF-as stated the major difference was the quality of the pilots-the majority of US pilots were extremely experienced WW2 vets or were led and trained by such men-in contrast the Chinese and North Koreans were rookies and easy meat for the USAF-the occasions when Sabre jockeys met the Soviet pilots of similar background to themselves showed the true colours of the Mig as a hardcore dogfighter-remember that the 'Top Gun' program was developed as a response to the USN having a great deal of trouble mixing it with North Vietnamese Mig 17s (a development of the earlier 15) in close combat.

**Thanatos** · 10-30-2012, 06:14 AM

by lithgow

The Mig 15 had superior performance at altitude and a much better 'modern' cannon armament compared to the 6 x .50 Brownings of the Sabre-to help restore the performance balance the F86E was introduced with leading edge slats for better manoeuvring as an emergency response by USAF-as stated the major difference was the quality of the pilots-the majority of US pilots were extremely experienced WW2 vets or were led and trained by such men-in contrast the Chinese and North Koreans were rookies and easy meat for the USAF-the occasions when Sabre jockeys met the Soviet pilots of similar background to themselves showed the true colours of the Mig as a hardcore dogfighter-remember that the 'Top Gun' program was developed as a response to the USN having a great deal of trouble mixing it with North Vietnamese Mig 17s (a development of the earlier 15) in close combat.

And the simple fact the USN and USAF had to re-learn the dogfight after the debarcle with the missle only armed early F-4 Phantoms.The platform was Ok but the early Sidewinders and Sparrows sucked big time.
It's a very good point re the 86E's improved performance over the earlier models.The leading edge slats were a big improvement.
Our (RAAF) CAC Avon powered Sabres were the best of the type (had to add that Lithgow

Cheers
Dave