| Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA2410 MIG-15bis "White 384" Soviet Air Force, 1951 |
| The MiG-15 (NATO name Fagot) was designed from information and technology gathered from captured WWII Germans. The main features of the Mig-15 were its simplicity and swept wings. The MiG-15bis was an improved single-seat fighter with better cannon, fuel capacity, avionics and a Klimov turbojet engine developed using an unlicensed Rolls-Royce Nene engine. All this was put in a strengthened airframe. The Allies were completely surprised when the Mig-15 arrived in Korea and quickly brought about the development of the F-86 Sabre. There were a total of 364 MiG-15bisR built. Though externally very similar to the MiG-15, the MiG-15bis was a much improved variant. Some Soviet units began using the MiG-15bis early in 1951, and by the middle of 1951 the Soviets began replacing all their MiG-15s flying over Korea with the MiG- 15bis. It is believed that MiG-15bis “White 384” was flown by Colonel Yevgeni Pepelyayev from an airbase in China. It is said he scored 19 kills with 14 of them being F-86 Sabres. 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 |