8 References

• 1 A MiG 15 to freedom, No Kum Sok 1996
• 2 Baugher
• 3 MiG 15 v F86: Which was better?
• 4 Notes on discussions with Mark Hannah of the Old Flying Machine Company.
• 5 F86 Sabre, MiG 15 "Fagot", Hawker Hunter (Legends of the Air 1), S. Wilson, Aerospace Publications Ltd., Weston Creek (Australia)
• 6 Communications with Anton Maree
• 7 MiG15 (Warbird History), Y. Gordon and V.Rigmant, Motorbooks, Osceola, USA, 1993
• 8 Check 6, F. C. Blesse, 1987
• 9 Central Fighter Establishment report
• 10 USAF Museum Web Site
• 11 Rowan Software Flight Model
• 12 Sabre MkIV Flight Manual
• 13 MiG15 Design, Development and Korean War Combat History, Rigmant and Gordon, Motorbooks Int 1993
• 14 OKB MiG: A History of the Design Bureau and its Aircraft, Midlands Counties Publications 1991

APPENDICES

Data

Data is quoted in SI units in preference. However, for the sake of familiarity, imperial measurements have been retained for altitude, rate of climb and speed.

Mass

The mass used in flight model calculations is critical. The terms empty, gross, combat and clean can have different meanings. The following assumptions have been made:

• empty as manufactured
• prepared empty plus oil, internal gun, residual fuel, camera, oxygen, pilot, parachute which is taken as standard to amount to 326kg
• gross prepared plus ammo and internal fuel
• clean50 prepared plus ammo and 50% internal fuel
• mission gross plus external stores

• The gross figure is the clean gross take-off weight.
• Clean50 is used to produce the flight model performance data.
• Some authors use the term combat. This does not appear to have a clear definition.

Click to continue . . .

Conversions

1 US gallon = 3.785 litres = 0.003785 m3 1 lb thrust = 4.449 N All miles quoted are assumed to be statute miles unless otherwise stated. 1 mile = 1.59km

Summary

The following figures have been obtained from the MiG Alley flight model.

The following summary has been obtained from ref (9). The information is based on combat experience in Feb to May 1952 and so it is assumed that the comparison is between the F86E and the MiG15bis:

• The MiG can outclimb and accelerate away from the F86 at any altitude.
• · Above 30,000ft the top speed of the MiG is greater.
• · The MiG15 ceiling is estimated to be at least 5,000ft higher.
• · Below 30,000ft, the F86 can out-turn the MiG15 in level and diving turns.
• · In a sustained dive the F86 has the edge.
• · At altitudes below 20,000ft, the level top speed is about equal.

Go to Part IV: Performance Tables