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Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (Ji-2) FAGOT B, 1947. Creator: Mikoyan-Gurevich
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Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (Ji-2) FAGOT B, 1947. Creator: Mikoyan-Gurevich
Single-seat, single-engine (RD-500, Klimov RD-45, and modified VK-1), swept-wing, air superiority, jet fighter / interceptor. Arch rival to the U.S. F-86 in Korea, the MiG-15 shocked the West with its capabilities. The Soviets designed the aircraft in 1946 to answer an urgent need for a high-altitude day interceptor. It first flew in late 1947. The MiG-15 was the first Soviet jet to benefit from the British sale to Russia of the new Rolls Royce Nene and Derwent jet engines, which the Soviets immediately copied and refined. The resulting RD-500, Klimov RD-45, and modified VK-1 engines gave a powerful boost to Soviet jet technology. The MiG-15 featured the first production swept wing, pressurized cockpit, and ejection seat on a Soviet aircraft. Although Mikoyan and Gurevich were aware of German turbojet and swept-wing work, this design was wholly Russian, except for the engine. This MiG-15bis is a Chinese Ji-2 modification. The Smithsonian acquired it in 1985
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (Ji-2) FAGOT B, 1947, showcased in this photo print, stands as a testament to the ingenuity and technological prowess of Soviet aviation. As an arch rival to the U. S. F-86 during the Korean War, the MiG-15 stunned Western powers with its exceptional capabilities. Originally designed by Mikoyan and Gurevich in response to an urgent need for a high-altitude day interceptor, this single-seat, single-engine jet fighter boasted several groundbreaking features. It was equipped with the first production swept wing, pressurized cockpit, and ejection seat on a Soviet aircraft – advancements that revolutionized aerial combat. One of its most significant contributions was incorporating British-made Rolls Royce Nene and Derwent jet engines into its design. The Soviets wasted no time in reverse engineering these engines and refining them into their own powerful creations: RD-500, Klimov RD-45, and modified VK-1 engines. This breakthrough propelled Soviet jet technology forward. This particular MiG-15bis featured in the photograph is a Chinese Ji-2 modification acquired by the Smithsonian in 1985. Its presence serves as a reminder of how far aviation has come since its inception. As we gaze upon this remarkable image captured by Heritage Images, we are transported back to an era where nations fiercely competed for air superiority. The MiG-15's legacy endures as an icon of innovation and represents a pivotal moment in military history when boundaries were pushed beyond imagination.
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