LESSONS LEARNED

Performance & Characteristics
The findings were amazing. In almost every respect, the MiG-15 was equal to the nation's top fighter, the F-86. It was a better dogfighter, with an edge in maneuverability and excellent acceleration. Its top speed, however, was slightly less than that of the F-86. USAF pilots who had fought the plane often rated it a match for their Sabres, but now, with one in hand, the USAF had the opportunity to determine where the differing performance of the two planes could be used to advantage.

Among the items discovered, the MiG's cockpit heating and environmental systems were poor. If the pilot was forced to dive rapidly from high altitude to the deck, the canopy would fog up, limiting visibility. Additionally, the comfort level of North Korean and Russian pilots at high altitudes would hamper their fighting ability.

Putting the plane into a vertical dive was found to be deadly. Yeager was almost killed when controllability was lost during steep dive tests. So, the word was passed to the American fighter squadrons: engage the enemy in the high altitudes and cold. And if you have run, dive away rapidly.

The only problem with the tests was the American test engineers and crews were extrapolating the performance and systems of a single plane to the entire fleet. This was a known risk, but engineers felt that with close evaluation of varying models, they would be able to predict performance changes.

The risk came to light many years later, after the fall of the Soviet Union. Other MiGs and MiG pilots were now more routinely available for analysis and even outright purchase. The MiG-15, now seriously out of date, was of little interest, but one fact emerged: the MiG that arrived at Kimpo that day was not quite perfect. Its cockpit heating and environmental system were broken -- indeed, the other MiG pilots in the world always would remember the -15 as one of the most comfortable planes to fly at altitude, well designed and with great heating system.

As for the problems encountered in the dive, these proved absolutely accurate. Years later, Chuck Yeager met with a Russian MiG engineer and they discussed this point. The engineer simply couldn't get over the fact the Yeager had somehow survived the dive and had been able to recover control of the airplane. It was a basic flaw of the design, but one which would be corrected in later model MiGs, like the -17 and -19.

Where to See the MiG Today
In the end, America's first MiG was offered for return to the North Koreans or Russians. Neither country claimed the plane and it finally was turned over to the USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB for display. Today, you can see the plane at the museum where it is a proud centerpiece in the Korean War collection, right alongside its American counterpart, the F-86.

If you get a chance to look into the cockpit, you'll still be able to make out the Korean lettering of the words Lt. No read under the gunsight during that last mission that September day in 1953: "Pour out and zero in this vindictive ammunition to the damn Yankees."

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