Mikoyan–Gurevich MiG-15bis
Image details
Contributor:
B. David Cathell / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
RTKRRTFile size:
103.3 MB (2.6 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - yesDo I need a release?Dimensions:
7360 x 4907 px | 62.3 x 41.5 cm | 24.5 x 16.4 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
6 June 2013Location:
Mesa, AZMore information:
Stepping outside the hanger into the hot noontime Arizona sun, we encounter a Mikoyan–Gurevich MiG-15bis. It was built in late 1950/early 1951 then sent to China. The markings are of the North Korean Air Force. According to Wikipedia, "The MiG-15 was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, and it achieved fame in the skies over Korea, where early in the war, it outclassed all straight-winged enemy fighters in most applications. The MiG-15 also served as the starting point for development of the more advanced MiG-17. The MiG-15 is believed to have been the most widely produced jet aircraft ever made, with over 12, 000 built. Licensed foreign production perhaps raised the total to over 18, 000. The MiG-15 is often mentioned along with the North American F-86 Sabre as among the best fighter aircraft of the Korean War and in comparisons with fighters of other eras." The MiG-15 incorporated 2 23mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23KM cannons (80 rounds per gun, 160 rounds total) plus 1 37mm NL-37D cannon (40 rounds). Externally, it carried 2 100 kg (220 lb) bombs, drop tanks, or unguided rockets on under-wing hard points. The drop tanks are pictured here.