MiG pilots got worse

[<RonaldS842@aol.com>]

   After the North Korean Air Force started offering money for kills they 
became worse. "the communist MiG pilots who were permitted to fly after the 
reward offer was made were the worst of the whole Korean War" according to 
General Mark Clark.
   For the Sabre pilots the months of May and June 1953 were reminiscent of 
the famed "Marainas Turkey Shoot" of World War II. when Japan's naval airmen 
had been blasted from the sky in phenominal numbers. At the same time in 
which the MiG airmen were eager but unskilled the Sabre pilots were alway 
"tigers" and were displaying superior tactical and gunnery skills. 
   Ever since the early days of combat the Sabres had emphasised high speed 
cruising in the target areas, but now they began to employ up to 98 percent 
of their power while awaiting combat. The higher speeds reduced the time the 
Sabres could stay on patrols but they had important offensive and defensive 
benefits. If the MiG were sighted the Sabres rate of closure was higher and 
if the MiG attacked the MiG's rate of closure was slower. In combat between 8 
and 31 May the Sabres sighted 1507 MiGs, engaged 537 of them and destroyed 56 
at a combat loss of only one Sabre. 

Ron