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Developed by the Soviet Union, the MiG-15 first flew in 1947 and entered service in June 1950, just in time for the Korean War. The appearance of MiG-15s over North Korea in November 1950 -- flown secretly by Soviet pilots -- put a stop to daylight bombing raids by U.S. Air Force bombers. On November 1, 1950, MiG-15s took part in the world's first jet-versus-jet dogfight, when four MiGs encountered four Lockheed F-80s over North Korea.
Though externally similar to the MiG-15, the MiG-15bis incorporated many improvements, including a more-powerful engine, and entered service in 1951. More than 16,000 MiG-15 aircraft of all variants were built, serving with approximately 60 nations. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union also licensed MiG production to other nations, including China, Czechoslovakia, India, and Poland.
The early history of Museum’s MiG-15bis is unknown. It was acquired from China in 1990 by J. Curtis Earl and was donated to the Museum by the American Fighter Aces Association in 2003. The aircraft carries the colors of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force and includes nine kill markings.
Developed by the Soviet Union, the MiG-15 first flew in 1947 and entered service in June 1950, just in time for the Korean War. The appearance of MiG-15s over North Korea in November 1950 -- flown secretly by Soviet pilots -- put a stop to daylight bombing raids by U.S. Air Force bombers. On November 1, 1950, MiG-15s took part in the world's first jet-versus-jet dogfight, when four MiGs encountered four Lockheed F-80s over North Korea.
Though externally similar to the MiG-15, the MiG-15bis incorporated many improvements, including a more-powerful engine, and entered service in 1951. More than 16,000 MiG-15 aircraft of all variants were built, serving with approximately 60 nations. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union also licensed MiG production to other nations, including China, Czechoslovakia, India, and Poland.
The early history of Museum’s MiG-15bis is unknown. It was acquired from China in 1990 by J. Curtis Earl and was donated to the Museum by the American Fighter Aces Association in 2003. The aircraft carries the colors of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force and includes nine kill markings.
