MiG-15bis Egyptian Air Force, Sinai, October, 1956 (1:72)

The MiG-15 (NATO name Fagot) was designed from information and technology gathered from captured WWII Germans. The main features of the Mig-15 were its simplicity and swept wings. The MiG-15bis was an improved single-seat fighter with better cannon, fuel capacity, avionics and a Klimov turbojet engine developed using an unlicensed Rolls-Royce Nene engine. All this was put in a strengthened airframe. The Allies were completely surprised when the Mig-15 arrived in Korea and quickly brought about the development of the F-86 Sabre.

In 1955 with aid from Russia Egypt bought some MiG-15bis fighters from Czechoslovakia. A short time later in 1956 the Suez Crisis developed and the Egyptian MiG-15bis� managed to down three Israeli aircraft. The Crisis only lasted for a short time but again in 1967 during the Arab-Israeli Wars the Egyptian and Syrian MiG-15bis didn�t do so well. The Israeli�s executed pre-emptive strikes and destroyed most of the MiGs before they could get airborne. The few surviving MiG-15bis that did launch ground-attacks against the Israeli forces were now obsolete compared to the newer Israeli
fighters and basically were committing suicide.

Specifications (MiG-15bis)

Country of origin - Russia
Manufacturer - Mikoyan-Gurevich
Role � fighter/interceptor
Crew � (1) pilot

Performance
Engine - (1) 5,952 pound thrust Klimov VK-1 turbojet
Maximum Speed at Sea Level - 668mph (1,075km/hr)
Ceiling - 50,855ft. (15.5km)
Range - 1,156miles (1860km)

Weight
Empty - 8,115lbs. (3,681kg)
Max Takeoff - 13,327lbs. (6,045kg)

Dimensions
Wing Span � 33ft. 0.75in. (10,08m)
Length � 35ft. 7.5in. (10,86m)
Height � 12ft. 1.75in. (3,70m)

Armament
(1) 37-mm N-37 cannon
(2) 23-mm NS-23 or NR-23 cannon
Up to 1,100 pounds of mixed stores on under-wing hard-points