Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 FAGOT

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (NATO code name: “fagot”) was a 1950s Soviet fighter. It was increasingly used in the Korean War and was the counterpart to the American F-86 Sabre. With approx. 18,000 units, it is the world’s most commonly built jet fighter aircraft.

In March 1946, the design bureaus of Lavochkin, Yakovlev, and Mikoyan-Gurevich, which already had experience in developing jet-powered fighters, were asked to develop a fighter with an arrow wing. In particular, it should be capable of intercepting bombers, be usable as a fighter-bomber and have good air combat capabilities. Maximum flight endurance was a secondary development goal, as the fighter had tactical orientation and was not intended to perform escort duties for long-range bombers.

The MiG-15’s fuselage, with its typical central air intake for the engine, was of half-shell construction and made entirely of duralumin. The OKB placed particular emphasis on suitability for troop service, especially maintenance under field conditions. For this reason, the aircraft had a fuselage tail that could be removed for engine maintenance and large flaps for the on-board guns, which could be lowered for maintenance.

The MiG-15 represented a very good combat aircraft for the former Soviet Union and also became a commercial success. The versions of the MiG-15 were in service in about 20 countries of the world. It became the standard fighter of the Eastern Bloc and later the Warsaw Pact. Many Third World air forces continued to use the MiG-15 in active service into the 1980s.

The MIG 15bis seen on AIRPOWER22 was manufactured in 1954 at WSK Mielec under license code Lim-2 for the Polish Air Force. The jet served the Polish Air Force until 1993 and thus has a long history in the Polish Air Force. During their service, many excellent pilots had the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of this legend, including the first Polish astronaut Miroslaw Hermaszewski. The aircraft was mothballed and finally preserved after military service ended.

In 2019 Mateusz Strama – in civilian profession Boeing 737 pilot – and 2 friends decided to acquire and restore the Mig-15 and present it to the public on air shows.

It can be admired during AIRPOWER22’s flying display and is flown by Capt. Bart Maciejczyk.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 FAGOT