Soviet Aircraft Types in Korea

[<AMPSOne@aol.com>]

Dan,

There are a lot of myths about what aircraft were used in Korea.

For the Soviets, they used two versions of the MiG-15 -- the original 
production model, MiG-15, and an improved version, the MiG-15bis. After 1951, 
just as many of the US Sabres were Es and then Fs, the Soviet units were 
primarily equipped with the bis. 

They used the La-11 for night fighting until they realized an empty B-26 or 
B-29 was faster than the La-11, and eventually switched to MiG-15bis night 
fighters (using ground radar and Mk. 1 eyeball target acquisition). 

Conversion training used the Yak-17UTI, one of which was shot down by an 
F3D-2 USMC night fighter in November 1952. The Soviets didn't admit it, but 
it appears to have been the chief of aviation technical services of the 64th 
IAK up for a night flight -- no idea if it was a joy ride or he was going to 
defect, but both the F3D-2 and a MiG-15bis night fighter spotted him and open 
up on it simultaneously. Both initially claimed him as the other one! 

The Chinese got La-9 and La-11 fighters, MiG-9 and MiG-15/15bis fighters, 
Yak-17UTI trainers, and Tu-2 bombers. Only the Lavochkins, MiG-15s, and Tu-2s 
saw combat. 

The KPAFAC got two regiments (43 each) of Yak-9D (late production all metal 
versions of the WWII Yak-9 fighter), La-9 fighters to replace them, two 
regiments (43 each) of Il-10 shturmovik ground attack aircraft, and 
eventually 125 MiG-15/15bis fighters. They also had a mishmash of Po-2 
biplanes, Yak-11 trainers, Yak-12 liaison aircraft, and the entire production 
run of Yak-16 twin-engine light transports. Most of them (less the MiGs, 
which came in late 1952) were toast after November 1950. 

Cookie Sewell
AMPS

PS The Soviets reckoned that a Sabre needed 10-12 23mm hits to be fatally 
damaged, but only 1-2 37mm hits. Most of the "37mm hits" in pictures are 
probably 23mm ones.