MiG-15 Fagot Armament
The MiG-15’s original role was as an interceptor. Before surface-to-air missiles, interceptor jets would shoot down bombers, such as American B-29s as a means of defence. With the B-29s being so large and the MiG-15s being relatively small in comparison, they were equipped with two 23mm autocannons with 80 rounds each and a single 37mm autocannon with 40 rounds. While offering a big punch against large targets such as the B-29, their limited range and slow velocity meant they weren’t great in air-to-air combat.
While the main role of the MiG-15 was as an interceptor, differing variants meant it took up the roles as a bomber, escort and reconnaissance. As a bomber, it would be equipped with two 100kg bombs or droptanks. Other armaments included two unguided rockets, one under each wing on a hardpoint.
Rivals to the MiG-15 Fagot
Comparable aircraft, in terms of era and capability, to the MiG-15 Fagot include:
• Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17
• North American F-86 Sabre
• Republic F-105 Thunderchief
• McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
During the Vietnam War, the F-105 and the F-4 Phantom II were both much larger and more heavily armed than the MiG-15, however the agility and swept wing design of the MiG-15 meant it was suprisingly effective against the fighter jets of the West at the time. Not to mention the large numbers of MiG-15s available, it’s easy to see why a small, nimble jet in numbers could in some cases out-gun a much large, more equipped fighter.
MiG-15 Vs F-86
Both the MiG-15 and the F-86 look almost identical and were developed almost at the same time. Both have an iconic ‘snub nose’ design with swept back wings and both were considered highly important jets at the time that paved the way for much more modern designs. The MiG-15 and the F-86 countered each other and are thought to be involved in some of the very first jet-to-jet battles ever throughout the 1950s. While 13,000 or more MiG-15s were produced, only around 10,000 F-86s were ever made, although still exceptionally large numbers by today’s standards and still the most widely-produced western fighter jet ever.
While the F-86 could out-dive the MiG-15, it could not match the acceleration or rate of climb. The MiG-15 was also considered to be better armed as the F-86 used six .50 calibre browning machine guns instead of more effective cannons like the MiG. While the MiG-15 is still in use today as an advanced trainer, the F-86 retired in the 1960s
MiG-15 Vs F-105
A fighter-bomber used in the late 1950s and 1960s, the Republic F-105 Thunderchief was an American supersonic fighter-bomber, that on paper looked like it could easily out-gun a MiG-15. It was capable of Mach 2.0 while the MiG-15 could only manage Mach 0.9 plus it was armed with a rotary cannon as well as missiles. However out of 833 F-105s produced, 382 aircraft were lost and this was partly down to the smaller, more agile MiG fighters of the time.
The F-105 was heavily armed in comparison to the MiG-15. It had a 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan 6-barrelled Gatling cannon and 5 hard points that could carry rocket pods, air-to-air or air-to-surface missiles or a range of bombs.
As the Vietnam War was ending, the F-105 type of aircraft was being replaced by the F-4 Phantom II. Smaller, lighter and more agile, the F-4 proved to be more effective agains the smaller MiGs, which caused the West some annoyance that older, slower jets were able to down what was the largest single-seat, single-engine fighter jet at the time.
MiG-15 Vs F-4 Phantom II
Developed in the late 1950s, the F-4 Phantom II was used alongside the F-105 in the Vietnam War, however it proved more effective against the smaller, older MiG-15 (and MiG-17) at the time. With various roles including interceptor and fighter bomber, it eventually replaced the more vulnerable F-105 and was used in air-to-air combat as well as bombing missions. With a top speed of Mach 2.2, it was also faster than the F-105 and more than twice as fast as the MiG-15.
Although more commonly in combat with the upgraded MiG-17, it still proved effective with a wider range of armaments and manoeuvrability. One F-4 Phantom II shot down a MiG-21 with its 20mm cannon while travelling at Mach 1.2, which still remains as the first and only recorded gun kill while flying supersonic.
The F4 Phantom II was the eventual basis to the more advanced F-15 and F-16 fighter jets later developed by the USAF in the 1970s.
MiG-15 Variations
With so many MiG-15s produced, there were a number of different variants either for export or for differing roles throughout its lifetime. The MiG-15bis was an improved version of the standard MiG-15, with variants of this bis version including the MiG-15P that was an all-weather interceptor, the MiG-15SB which was a fighter bomber version and the MiG-15bisR, a reconnaissance version.
Fly a MiG-15 Fagot
Take to the skies in an authentic military MiG-15 Fagot with Jetify. An exceptional day that guarantees to create memories you’ll cherish for a lifetime, a flight in the MiG-15 is one you’ll never forget. With every Jetify flight, the whole day is tailored around you and you choose what you want to do when you’re up in the sky. Whether that be to sit back and let your instructor show you what the plane can do or whether you want to take control and fly the MiG yourself, it’s your flight so you choose exactly what you want to do.
As with all flights, Jetify are available to take care of your every need to allow you to concentrate on enjoying the flight. Whether you need hotels, transfers or anything else, no request is too big or too small. Simply book your flight and we’ll be in touch to discuss dates, times and anything additional you may require.
