| Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA2409 MIG-15bis Chinese Volunteer’s Air Force (CPV AF) 1950 |
| The USSR had successfully copied the Rolls-Royce Nene engine and used it in the MiG- 15 then set out to make improvements. Klimov developed the VK-1 engine that used larger components such as the combustion chamber the turbine blades and tail pipe. All this had to be accomplished so the new engine would fit into the same space that the Nene used. The MiG-15bis (NATO code name – Fagot B) (bis - second) had a reconnaissance version labeled the MiG-15bisR. On this variant one of the 23 millimeter cannons was replaced with a single vertically-mounted camera and normally carried 600 liter long-range fuel tanks. The MiG-15bis used a more powerful engine and hydraulically boosted ailerons. There were a total of 364 MiG-15bisR built. The MiG- 15bis was the main variant built. The inscription on this MiG-15bis reads “Chinese People’s Volunteer Air Force”. The CPVAF do own this aircraft and use it for use it for photographs and film. The CPVAF was created only a month before Chinese forces crossed the Yalu river on October 25 1950 in support of the North Korean military. In Chinese the war is known as “The War to Resist America and Aid Korea” and in Chinese is pronounced something like Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng. October 25 is known as CPV day. Specifications (MiG-15bis) Country of origin - USSR Manufacturer - Mikoyan-Gurevich Role – fighter/interceptor Crew – 1 X pilot Performance Engine - 1 X 5,952 pound thrust Klimov VK-1 turbojet Maximum Speed at Sea Level - 668mph (1,075km/hr) Ceiling - 50,855ft. (15.5km) Range - 1,156miles (1860km) Weight Empty - 8,115lbs. (3,681kg) Max Takeoff - 13,327lbs. (6,045kg) Dimensions Wing Span – 33ft. 0.75in. (10,08m) Length – 35ft. 7.5in. (10,86m) Height – 12ft. 1.75in. (3,70m) Armament 1 X 37-mm N-37 cannon 2 X 23-mm NS-23 or NR-23 cannon Up to 1,100 pounds of mixed stores on under-wing hard-points |
