TEST FLIGHTS IN OKINAWA

Let's See What She'll Do
With the MiG-15 safely at Okinawa, its markings were stripped off and USAF insignia and numbering applied. Taking no chances of an in-flight accident, the USAF flew in its two best test pilots to evaluate the plane's performance, flight characteristics, and capabilities. The MiG-15 would be extensively studied and compared against America's leading jet fighter, the F-86 Sabre.

The top two Wright Field Test Pilots, Capt. H.E. "Tom" Collins and Major C. E. "Chuck" Yeager, the man who had been the first to break the sound barrier just six years before, were selected for the job. Collins flew the plane first, then Yeager. Initial reports were made and performance data collected, but more detailed study would be required.

Initial testing lasted several months, with comparisons against the F-86 at varying altitudes. Fuel consumption, payload, rough performance tables and other data were assembled. Its cannon were test fired to determine muzzle velocity and range. As quickly as possible, the lessons learned were passed to the operational squadrons. A film and discussion program traveled throughout Korea to disclose the plane's performance and weaknesses.

With this accomplished, even more detailed data was called for. In December, with utmost secrecy, the plane was again disassembled and airlifted to Wright-Patterson AFB. At WPAFB, the plane went through incredibly exhaustive flight testing. Every corner of its performance was analyzed and recorded, every bolt, spar, and control cable was examined, every system tested and researched. Lessons learned were shared with American pilots worldwide and passed to the aircraft industry to help define the country's next generation "century" fighters, the F-100, F-102, and F-104.

BASIC PERFORMANCE:
Maximum speed: 670 mph
Cruising speed: 525 mph
Range: 500 miles
Service Ceiling: 51,000 ft.

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