The spectacular MiG-15 fighter used a combination of Russian ingenuity and “borrowed” advanced European aviation technology to become one of the most famous aircraft designs of its era. Called the “aircraft-soldier” by Russian pilots, the aircraft was exceptionally strong and dependable. The MiG-15 is still respected for its speed, maneuverability and firepower; advantages that made it a worthy adversary of the North American F-86 during the Korean War.

The Mikoyan and Gurevich (MiG) design team utilized captured German technology when developing the layout of the MiG-15. The plane's 35-degree swept wing, fuselage-mounted engine and clean lines gave the aircraft exceptional performance. Powered by a unlicensed copy of the famous British Nene centrifugal-flow jet engine, the MiG-15 was capable of speeds up to Mach .934. The initial prototype, the I-310, made its first flight in December 1947 and won a fly-off against the Lavochkin La-15. The MiG-15 went into production and entered front line service in 1949.

Shortly after its introduction the MiG-15 entered combat over Korea. Flown by Russian, North Korean and Chinese pilots, the swept-wing MiG fighter terrorized USAF B-29 bombers flying strategic bombing missions over North Korean cities. The MiG-15's speed, maneuverability, and heavy armament (two 23mm and one 37mm cannon) allowed it brush aside escorting fighters and rip through the B-29 formations. B-29 losses to MiGs reached such high levels that the USAF stopped daylight B-29 bombing raids and flew all strikes under the cover of darkness. Although several MiG-15s were brought down by B-29 gunners and other UN aircraft, only the North American F-86 Sabre was the MiG-15's equal in combat. The MiG's combat success and its dependability made the plane very popular with Eastern Bloc and Communist nations around the world. Since 1950, roughly 7,500 MiG-15s have been built in Russia, Czechoslovakia, Poland and China. In addition to the Korean War, the MiG-15 has been used extensively as an air defense fighter, an air superiority fighter, a ground-attack aircraft and reconnaissance fighter in a number of conflicts in the Middle East and the Orient.

The two seat MiG-15UT1 trainer (known as the “Midget” by NATO) was introduced soon after the standard MiG-15 entered service and served as the standard Soviet advanced trainer for many years. The Cavanaugh Flight Museum's MiG-15UT1 was produced in Poland in 1954, and received the designation SBLim-2. The fully restored aircraft features operational dual controls. It carries Soviet markings and is armed with a single 12.7mm machine gun.

ENGINE		Klimov VK-1F turbojet 7,452 lbs. of thrust
ARMAMENT		One UBK-Ye 12.7mm machine gun or one NS-23 23mm cannon
WING SPAN		33 feet, 3 inches
LENGTH		33 feet, 4 inches
HEIGHT		10 feet, 10 inches
MAX TAKEOFF WEIGHT		12,006 pounds
CREW		2
MANUFACTURED BY		Mikoyan Gurevich
TOTAL BUILT		Over 7,500
TOTAL EXISTING		Unknown
FIRST BUILT		1949
MUSEUM'S AIRCRAFT BUILT		1954
ON DISPLAY AT		Cavanaugh Flight Museum, Addison Airport (KADS), Dallas, Texas
MAXIMUM SPEED		579 m.p.h.
RANGE W/EXTERNAL TANKS		450 miles
SERVICE CEILING		49,729 feet