
Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series (Jet Powered) HA2408 - MIG-15bis Egyptian Air Force, Sinai, Oct 1956 |
| 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. In 1955 with aid from the USSR Egypt bought some MiG-15bis fighters from Czechoslovakia. A short time later in 1956 the Suez Crisis developed and the Egyptian MiG-15bis’ managed to down three Israeli aircraft. The Crisis only lasted for a short time but again in 1967 during the Arab-Israeli Wars the Egyptian and Syrian MiG-15bis didn’t do so well. The Israeli’s executed preemptive strikes and destroyed most of the MiGs before they could get airborne. The few surviving MiG-15bis that did launch ground- attacks against the Israeli forces were now obsolete compared to the newer Israeli fighters and basically were committing suicide. |
| Specifications (MiG-15bis) Country of origin - USSR Manufacturer - Mikoyan-Gurevich Role – fighter/interceptor Crew – (1) pilot Performance Engine - (1) 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) 37-mm N-37 cannon (2) 23-mm NS-23 or NR-23 cannon Up to 1,100 pounds of mixed stores on under-wing hard-points |
| Egyptian AF Roundel 1937 - 1958 |