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The '''MiG-15''' was one of the most widely produced [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] aircraft and the first production jet operated by the Russians.  It is most well-known from the air battles of the [[Korean War]].

The '''MiG-15''' was one of the most widely produced [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] aircraft and the first production jet operated by the Russians.  It is most well known from the air battles of the [[Korean War]].

==Development==

==Development==

[[North Korea]] had no jets when it invaded [[South Korea]] in June 1950, so its air force was ultimately destroyed by the American and [[United Nations]] planes, which included first-generation jets like the [[F-80 Shooting Star]].  When Communist [[China]] sent its troops across the [[Yalu River]], Chinese MiG-15s went as well, and the second-generation jets outclassed anything the UN forces had in the air.  Only after the American F-86 Saber arrived could the UN seriously challenge the MiGs.

[[North Korea]] had no jets when it invaded [[South Korea]] in June 1950, so its air force was ultimately destroyed by the American and [[United Nations]] planes, which included first-generation jets like the [[F-80 Shooting Star]].  When Communist [[China]] sent its troops across the [[Yalu River]], Chinese MiG-15s went as well, and the second-generation jets outclassed anything the UN forces had in the air.  Only after the American F-86 Saber arrived could the UN seriously challenge the MiGs.

The first confrontation took place in December 1950, and by the end of the month, eight MiGs had been lost for only one Saber shot down.  The two planes were evenly matched and in fact resembled each other to a large extent.  The MiG had a higher service ceiling and a higher rate of climb, while the Saber was more maneuverable.  The MiG’s cannons packed a larger punch than the Saber’s machine guns, but they were slower firing and didn’t carry as much ammo.  However, the Chinese pilots tended to be poorly trained compared to their American counterparts, and this made a big difference.  During the war, the American Saber pilots claimed to have shot down almost 800 MiGs, although the real number was probably a little less than 400, while the MiGs only shot down eighty Sabers.<ref>[http://www.acepilots.com/korea_aces.html Korean War Aces]</ref>

The first confrontation took place in December 1950, and by the end of the month, eight MiGs had been lost for only one Saber shot down.  The two planes were evenly matched and in fact resembled each other to a large extent.  The MiG had a higher service ceiling and a higher rate of climb, while the Saber was more maneuverable.  The MiG's cannons packed a larger punch than the Saber's machine guns, but they were slower firing and didn't carry as much ammo.  However, the Chinese pilots tended to be poorly trained compared to their American counterparts, and this made a big difference.  During the war, the American Saber pilots claimed to have shot down almost 800 MiGs, although the real number was probably a little less than 400, while the MiGs only shot down eighty Sabers.<ref>[http://www.acepilots.com/korea_aces.html Korean War Aces]</ref>

Some of the MiGs encountered, however, were flown by very competent pilots.  The Americans dubbed these MiG drivers “Honchos” and suspected that they were not Chinese or North Koreans, but Russians, a suspicion which has since been confirmed.  In fact, the highest scoring pilot of the Korean War, on either side, was Russian WWII veteran and Hero of the Soviet Union Nickolai Sutyagin, with 22 victories, including at least nine Sabers.<ref>[http://www.acepilots.com/russian/rus_aces.html Russian Aces over Korea]</ref>

Some of the MiGs encountered, however, were flown by very competent pilots.  The Americans dubbed these MiG drivers “Honchos” and suspected that they were not Chinese or North Koreans, but Russians, a suspicion which has since been confirmed.  In fact, the highest scoring pilot of the Korean War, on either side, was Russian WWII veteran and Hero of the Soviet Union Nickolai Sutyagin, with 22 victories, including at least nine Sabers.<ref>[http://www.acepilots.com/russian/rus_aces.html Russian Aces over Korea]</ref>

On March 10, 1953, a [[Czechoslovakia]]n Air Force MiG-15 shot down an American [[F-84 Thunderjet]] along the Czech-[[West Germany|West German]] border, the pilot bailing out safely.  The U.S. government strongly protested to the Czech government, calling it a “provocative incident”.  Two days later, a Soviet MiG destroyed a [[Royal Air Force]] bomber over Germany with the loss of the entire seven man crew.

On March 10, 1953, a [[Czechoslovakia]]n Air Force MiG-15 shot down an American [[F-84 Thunderjet]] along the Czech-[[West Germany|West German]] border, the pilot bailing out safely.  The U.S. government strongly protested to the Czech government, calling it a “provocative incident”.  Two days later, a Soviet MiG destroyed a [[Royal Air Force]] bomber over Germany with the loss of the entire seven man crew.

On April 18, 1955, Soviet MiG-15s shot down a SAC RB-47 on a photo reconnaissance mission off the Kamchatka Peninsula.  When the plane failed to return to base, the U.S. government suspected it had been shot down, and conducted an extensive search, but failed to find any wreckage or remains, although a life jacket, aircraft debris, and an RB-47 aircraft manual washed up on a nearby Soviet-held island.  The full story wasn’t known until 1992, when [[Boris Yeltsin]]’s government provided declassified documents on the incident.  Surprisingly, the documents did not include the claim that the aircraft violated Russian airspace, although they did state that the bomber fired first when the MiGs approached.  There were no known survivors among the bomber crew.<ref>''The Price of Vigilance: Attacks on American Surveillance Flights'', by Larry Tarte and Robert Keefe, Ballantine Publishing, 2001</ref>

On April 18, 1955, Soviet MiG-15s shot down a SAC RB-47 on a photo reconnaissance mission off the Kamchatka Peninsula.  When the plane failed to return to base, the U.S. government suspected it had been shot down, and conducted an extensive search, but failed to find any wreckage or remains, although a life jacket, aircraft debris, and an RB-47 aircraft manual washed up on a nearby Soviet-held island.  The full story wasn't known until 1992, when [[Boris Yeltsin]]’s government provided declassified documents on the incident.  Surprisingly, the documents did not include the claim that the aircraft violated Russian airspace, although they did state that the bomber fired first when the MiGs approached.  There were no known survivors among the bomber crew.<ref>''The Price of Vigilance: Attacks on American Surveillance Flights'', by Larry Tarte and Robert Keefe, Ballantine Publishing, 2001</ref>

In two other incidents, the tables were turned by the presence of escorting fighters.  On January 22, 1954, an RB-45 was attacked over the [[Yellow Sea]] by MiG-15s, but Sabers had come along on this mission, and one of the MiGs was shot down.  A year later, on February 5, 1955, another RB-45 was attacked, again over the Yellow Sea; this time two MiG-15s fell to the guns of the escorting F-86s.<ref>[http://users.accesscomm.ca/magnusfamily/misc.htm Cold War Era: USA claims]</ref>

In two other incidents, the tables were turned by the presence of escorting fighters.  On January 22, 1954, an RB-45 was attacked over the [[Yellow Sea]] by MiG-15s, but Sabers had come along on this mission, and one of the MiGs was shot down.  A year later, on February 5, 1955, another RB-45 was attacked, again over the Yellow Sea; this time two MiG-15s fell to the guns of the escorting F-86s.<ref>[http://users.accesscomm.ca/magnusfamily/misc.htm Cold War Era: USA claims]</ref>