Mikoyan-Gurevitch MiG-15 Fagot
Summary
| Category | Combat aircraft |
| Origin country | 🇨🇳 Ex-USSR |
| First flight | 19 December 1947 |
| Year of introduction | 1949 |
| Number produced | 17310 units |
| Average unit price | $0.2 million |
Description
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15, also known as "Fagot" in NATO reporting name, is a Soviet jet fighter developed in the late 1940s. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful jet fighters to incorporate swept wings for high-speed performance, which became a standard feature in many subsequent fighter aircraft designs.
The development of the MiG-15 began in the mid-1940s, with the goal of creating a high-speed jet fighter capable of competing with advanced Western aircraft. Soviet engineers were influenced by captured German research on swept-wing designs, which promised better performance at high speeds. The first prototype of the MiG-15, designated as I-310, made its maiden flight in 1947.
The MiG-15 features a swept-wing design, a single Klimov VK-1 turbojet engine, and a pressurized cockpit. Its mid-wing configuration is said to have been inspired by the concept of the Ta-183, whose plans were retrieved by the Red Army from the RLM offices during the Battle of Berlin in May 1945. In the absence of the German engineers who designed the Ta-183 (Kurt Tank had sought refuge in Argentina, where he designed the Pulqui II also based on the Ta-183, and Hans Multhopp was selling his services to Martin in the USA), MiG carried out wind tunnel tests. Its structure is characterized by a relatively small fuselage, a nose intake, and a bubble canopy that provided excellent visibility for the pilot. The avionics of the MiG-15 were fairly basic, consisting of radios, an altimeter, and a gyrocompass. The aircraft's armament included two 23mm NR-23 cannons and one 37mm N-37 cannon, which were effective against both air and ground targets.
The MiG-15 entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1949 and quickly gained a reputation as a highly capable fighter. Its operational history is most famously associated with the Korean War, where it proved to be a formidable adversary against American F-86 Sabre jets in numerous aerial engagements. The MiG-15 was also extensively exported to Soviet-aligned countries and saw service in various conflicts around the world.
Several main versions of the MiG-15 were produced, including:
- MiG-15: The initial production variant.
- MiG-15bis: An improved version with a more powerful engine, increased fuel capacity, and minor aerodynamic refinements.
- MiG-15UTI: A two-seat trainer version with dual controls for both the instructor and the student.
In total, over 17,000 MiG-15 aircraft were built, including those produced under license in countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia, and China (where it was designated as the J-2 or JJ-2 for the trainer version).
Technical specifications
| Version: MiG-15Bis Fagot-B | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 1 pilot |
| Operational range | 1625 km (1010 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 1075 km/h (668 mph) |
| Wing area | 20.6 m² (221.7 sqft) |
| Wingspan | 10.1 m (33.1 ft) |
| Height | 3.7 m (12.1 ft) |
| Length | 10.1 m (33.2 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 15500 m (50853 ft) |
| Empty weight | 3580 kg (7893 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 6105 kg (13459 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 50.0 m/s (164.0 ft/s) |
| Powerplant | 1 × turbojet Klimov VK-1 delivering 2700 kgp |
| Ejection seat | Severin KS-1 |
Current operating countries
| Country | Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
North Korea | 34 | |
Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.
All operators
Afghanistan • Angola • Albania • Burkina Faso • Bangladesh • Bulgaria • China • Congo • Cuba • Ex-East Germany • Algeria • Egypt • Ethiopia • Finland • Guinea • Guinea-Bissau • Hungary • Indonesia • Iraq • Cambodia • Libya • Sri Lanka • Morocco • Mali • Mongolia • Mozambique • Nigeria • Pakistan • Poland • North Korea • Romania • Sudan • Somalia • Syria • Ex-Czechoslovakia • Tanzania • Uganda • Ex-USSR • United States • Vietnam • Yemen
Photo of MiG-15 Fagot
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