The MiG-15 is a single-seat, single-engine jet fighter developed by Soviet aerospace firm Mikoyan-Gurevich. The aircraft, which took its first flight on December 30, 1947, was manufactured primarily by the USSR, but also by a number of Soviet bloc countries. The jet proved lethal in air-to-air and air-to-ground engagements during a number of conflicts, notably those of the Korean War. More than 17,000 MiG-15s were built, one of the highest production numbers of any jet aircraft in history.
One of the key defining elements of the MiG-15 is its swept wings, a relative novelty for aircraft design when the jet was conceived. The wings, which have a span of 33 feet, 1 inch, afford enhanced performance as the aircraft nears the speed of sound. The MiG-15 also features a retractable tricycle undercarriage, and a cruciform tail unit.
The MiG-15 is powered by a single Klimov VK-1 turbojet engine, with its intake at the nose of the fighter and exhaust pipe at its tail, under the empennage. The Klimov, which produces just under 6,000 pounds of thrust at max throttle, gives the MiG-15 a cruising speed of 530 miles per hour and a top speed of 688 mph. The jet climbs at a rate of 10,000 feet per minute and has a ceiling of 51,000 feet above sea level.
Pilots of all skill levels will savor their time in the cockpit of the MiG-15. While somewhat sluggish to control at low speeds, the jet really shines at higher velocities, allowing aviators to turn and burn in one of aviation’s great classics.
