Hobby Master HA2416 | MIG-15bis NO-37 of Col. Jaroslav Sramek Czechoslovak Air Force, 1953

General Background:

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. There were a total of 364 MiG-15bisR built.

The Aircraft:

On March 10, 1953 two Czechoslovak Air Force S-102 (MiG-15s built in Czechoslovakia
under license) spotted 2 USAF F-84s in Czech airspace. The F-84s became aware of
the MiGs and took evasive action at full throttle. MiG-15 NO-37 piloted by Col. Jroslav
Sramek fired warning shots but hit a fuel tank and Lt. G. A. Brown’s F-84 caught fire
while the other F-84 escaped. NO-37 fired a second burst and Lt. Brown’s F-84 began to
dive toward earth however; Brown managed to eject. The U.S. side of the incident
differed from the Czech version. Col. Sramek was the one any only Czechoslovak pilot to
shoot down an American aircraft during the Cold War.

Specifications (MiG-15bis)

Country of origin - USSR
Manufacturer - Mikoyan-Gurevich
Role – fighter/interceptor
Crew – 1 X pilot

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