Mikoyan Gurevich
MiG-15
Fagot
Photo: Robert Deering 10/23/2006
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Chantilly, Virginia

Photo: Robert Deering 9/3/2011
Museum of Flight
Seattle, Washington
Photo: Robert Deering 10/18/2012
National Museum of the USAF
Dayton, Ohio
Photo: Robert Deering 4/18/2015
National Museum of Naval Aviation
Pensacola, Florida
Photo: Robert Deering 4/9/2019
Technik Museum
Speyer, Germany
The Soviet Union developed the MiG-15 following World War II and the fighter entered service in 1949. By 1952 the Soviets provided the MiG-15 (NATO code name "Fagot") to a number of communist satellite nations, including North Korea. In 1950 the Soviets began production of a more capable version, the MiG-15bis. The MiG-15bis used a more powerful engine and hydraulically boosted ailerons. During the Korean War, both versions of the MiG-15 operated extensively against United Nations forces.

A defecting North Korean pilot flew the airplane on display (USAF Museum) to Kimpo Air Base in South Korea on Sept. 21, 1953. The airplane provided important intelligence data, especially since it was the advanced version of the MiG-15. After considerable flight-testing, the U.S. offered to return the airplane to its "rightful owners." The offer was ignored, and in November 1957 it was transferred to the museum for public exhibition.
SPECIFICATIONS: PERFORMANCE:
Span: 33 ft. 1 1/2 in.
Length:  33 ft. 3 5/8 in.
Height:  11 ft. 2 in.
Empty Weight:  
Gross Weight:  11,270 lbs. maximum
Crew: 		Maximum speed: 670 mph
Cruising speed:
Range: 500 miles
Service ceiling: 51,000 ft.
Engines: Klimov VK-1 of 6,000 lbs. thrust (developed from the British Rolls-Royce "Nene" engine)
Armament: Two 23mm cannons and one 37mm cannon plus rockets or 2,000 lbs. of bombs
   
SOURCE:  National Museum of the United States Air Force  
   
1959 DOD Aircraft
Recognition Page