Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15

Aircraft family

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was a Soviet jet fighter developed after World War II. Entering service in 1949, it became one of the most widely recognized early swept-wing jet fighters and an important aircraft of the Korean War. [1]

Aircraft family

The MiG-15 family included the original fighter and the improved MiG-15bis. The aircraft specifications on this page describe the MiG-15bis rather than representing every version of the MiG-15. [1]

Aircraft family

The Soviet Union developed the MiG-15 in the years immediately following World War II. Its introduction reflected the rapid development of jet fighter technology during the early Cold War. [1]

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The fighter entered service in 1949. By 1952, the Soviet Union had supplied MiG-15 aircraft to several allied communist countries, including North Korea. [1]

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The MiG-15 became particularly well known through its combat service over Korea, where it encountered United Nations aircraft. [1]

Variant: MiG-15bis

Production of the improved MiG-15bis began in 1950. Compared with the original MiG-15, the bis version used a more powerful engine and hydraulically boosted ailerons. [1]

Variant: MiG-15bis

The MiG-15bis was powered by the Klimov VK-1 turbojet. Its documented dimensions, speed, range and thrust are listed in the technical specification section. [1]

Variant: MiG-15bis

These characteristics should not be assumed to describe earlier MiG-15 aircraft without variant-specific evidence. [1]

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The MiG-15 and MiG-15bis both operated extensively during the Korean War. Their appearance introduced an advanced jet fighter threat that required United Nations air forces to respond with appropriate aircraft and tactics. [1]

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The MiG-15 became closely associated with jet fighter engagements over Korea, including combat involving American F-86 Sabres. [1]

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Its Korean War service established the MiG-15 as an important aircraft in the history of early jet combat. [1]

Individual aircraft: MiG-15bis serial 2015357

One particularly well-documented MiG-15bis is the aircraft preserved at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. [1][2]

Individual aircraft: MiG-15bis serial 2015357

On September 21, 1953, North Korean pilot No Kum-Sok flew the aircraft to Kimpo Air Base in South Korea. The arrival gave the United States an opportunity to examine and flight-test a MiG-15bis. [1][2]

Individual aircraft: MiG-15bis serial 2015357

Following evaluation in Okinawa and at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the aircraft was eventually transferred to the museum in 1957. [1][2]

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The MiG-15 represents an important stage in the transition from World War II piston-engine fighters to high-performance jet combat aircraft. [1][2]

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Its extensive service during the Korean War, together with the development of the improved MiG-15bis, demonstrates the rapid evolution of fighter aviation during the early Cold War. [1][2]

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The surviving museum aircraft also provides an unusually well-documented example of how opposing air forces evaluated one another's technology during this period. [1][2]