Book Review of
Polskie Skrzydła Polish Wings 34
Mikoyan Gurevich Mig-15
& License Build Versions
Author: Lechosław Musiałowski
Stratus Books
ISBN: 978-83-66549-92-0
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2022
MSRP: $30.00
ISBN: 978-83-66549-92-0
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2022
MSRP: $30.00
HISTORY:
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (Russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-15; USAF/DoD designation: Type 14; NATO reporting name: Fagot) is a jet fighter aircraft developed by Mikoyan-Gurevich for the Soviet Union. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful jet fighters to incorporate swept wings to achieve high transonic speeds.
In aerial combat during the Korean War, it outclassed straight-winged jet day fighters, which were largely relegated to ground-attack roles. In response to the MiG-15’s appearance and in order to counter it, the United States Air Force rushed the North American F-86 Sabre to Korea.
When refined into the more advanced MiG-17, the basic design would again surprise the West when it proved effective against supersonic fighters such as the Republic F-105 Thunderchief and McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in the Vietnam War of the 1960s.
The MiG-15 is believed to have been one of the most produced jet aircraft with more than 13,000 manufactured. The MiG-15 remains in service with the Korean People's Army Air Force as an advanced trainer.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 1
Length: 10.102 m (33 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 10.085 m (33 ft 1 in)
Height: 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 20.6 m2 (222 sq ft)
Airfoil: root: TsAGI S-10; tip: TsAGI SR-3[127]
Empty weight: 3,681 kg (8,115 lb)
Gross weight: 5,044 kg (11,120 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 6,106 kg (13,461 lb) with 2x600 l (160 US gal; 130 imp gal) drop-tanks
Fuel capacity: 1,420 l (380 US gal; 310 imp gal) internal
Powerplant: 1 × Klimov VK-1 centrifugal-flow turbojet, 26.5 kN (5,950 lbf) thrust
Maximum speed: 1,076 km/h (669 mph, 581 kn) at sea level
1,107 km/h (688 mph; 598 kn) / M0.9 at 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
Maximum speed: Mach 0.87 at sea level
Cruise speed: 850 km/h (530 mph, 460 kn) Mach 0.69
Ferry range: 2,520 km (1,570 mi, 1,360 nmi) at 12,000 m (39,370 ft) with 2x600 l (160 US gal; 130 imp gal) drop-tanks
Service ceiling: 15,500 m (50,900 ft)
Rate of climb: 51.2 m/s (10,080 ft/min)
Wing loading: 296.4 kg/m2 (60.7 lb/sq ft)
Thrust/weight: 0.54
Armament
Guns: **2 × 23 mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23 autocannon in the lower left fuselage (80 rounds per gun, 160 rounds total)
1 × 37 mm Nudelman N-37 autocannon in the lower right fuselage (40 rounds total)
Hardpoints: 2 , with provisions to carry combinations of:
Bombs: 100 kg (220 lb) bombs
Other: drop tanks, or unguided rockets
THE BOOK:
Stratus Books is based in Poland.
This book is of soft-cover of 104 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” page format.
The cover art shows a color photo of a Mig-15bis, flying above snow covered fields. It is bare metal with a large black number 346 on the sides of its nose. It is serial no. 133046 from Slupsk-based 28 PLM and at Ronne Airfield, Bornholm, in March 1953.
The back cover shows a Lim-2(1B) variant flying above the clouds. It is bare metal with a large black number 1919 on the sides of its nose. It is serial no. 1B01919 with the 21st PLRT, Sochaczew.
The book contains 143 black and white photos and 7 color ones (including the cover arts).
Over 167 large nose numbers are shown.
All the aircraft in the books are shown with Polish Air Force checkerboard insignias on top of the wings and on the sides of the fuselage and rudder.
In the Mig-15 chapter, nose numbers shown are: 352, 6, 40, 5, 12, 2, 8. 16, 26, 30, 32, 35 (stenciled), 36, 38 (stenciled), 39, 24 (stenciled), 100 and 302 (stenciled).
Color side profile illustration are of nose number 4, with a black and white photo accompanying it of the actual aircraft, and a second profile illustration of red nose number 38, also with a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
In the Mig-15bis chapter, nose numbers shown are: 246, 370, 376 (stenciled), 464, 554 (stenciled), 615 (stenciled), 635 (stenciled), 645 (stenciled) and 352 (stenciled),
Color side profile of red nose number 96 is shown accompanied by a black and white photo of the actual aircraft with the pilot sitting in the cockpit and another side profile of red
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (Russian: Микоян и Гуревич МиГ-15; USAF/DoD designation: Type 14; NATO reporting name: Fagot) is a jet fighter aircraft developed by Mikoyan-Gurevich for the Soviet Union. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful jet fighters to incorporate swept wings to achieve high transonic speeds.
In aerial combat during the Korean War, it outclassed straight-winged jet day fighters, which were largely relegated to ground-attack roles. In response to the MiG-15’s appearance and in order to counter it, the United States Air Force rushed the North American F-86 Sabre to Korea.
When refined into the more advanced MiG-17, the basic design would again surprise the West when it proved effective against supersonic fighters such as the Republic F-105 Thunderchief and McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II in the Vietnam War of the 1960s.
The MiG-15 is believed to have been one of the most produced jet aircraft with more than 13,000 manufactured. The MiG-15 remains in service with the Korean People's Army Air Force as an advanced trainer.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 1
Length: 10.102 m (33 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 10.085 m (33 ft 1 in)
Height: 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 20.6 m2 (222 sq ft)
Airfoil: root: TsAGI S-10; tip: TsAGI SR-3[127]
Empty weight: 3,681 kg (8,115 lb)
Gross weight: 5,044 kg (11,120 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 6,106 kg (13,461 lb) with 2x600 l (160 US gal; 130 imp gal) drop-tanks
Fuel capacity: 1,420 l (380 US gal; 310 imp gal) internal
Powerplant: 1 × Klimov VK-1 centrifugal-flow turbojet, 26.5 kN (5,950 lbf) thrust
Maximum speed: 1,076 km/h (669 mph, 581 kn) at sea level
1,107 km/h (688 mph; 598 kn) / M0.9 at 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
Maximum speed: Mach 0.87 at sea level
Cruise speed: 850 km/h (530 mph, 460 kn) Mach 0.69
Ferry range: 2,520 km (1,570 mi, 1,360 nmi) at 12,000 m (39,370 ft) with 2x600 l (160 US gal; 130 imp gal) drop-tanks
Service ceiling: 15,500 m (50,900 ft)
Rate of climb: 51.2 m/s (10,080 ft/min)
Wing loading: 296.4 kg/m2 (60.7 lb/sq ft)
Thrust/weight: 0.54
Armament
Guns: **2 × 23 mm Nudelman-Rikhter NR-23 autocannon in the lower left fuselage (80 rounds per gun, 160 rounds total)
1 × 37 mm Nudelman N-37 autocannon in the lower right fuselage (40 rounds total)
Hardpoints: 2 , with provisions to carry combinations of:
Bombs: 100 kg (220 lb) bombs
Other: drop tanks, or unguided rockets
THE BOOK:
Stratus Books is based in Poland.
This book is of soft-cover of 104 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” page format.
The cover art shows a color photo of a Mig-15bis, flying above snow covered fields. It is bare metal with a large black number 346 on the sides of its nose. It is serial no. 133046 from Slupsk-based 28 PLM and at Ronne Airfield, Bornholm, in March 1953.
The back cover shows a Lim-2(1B) variant flying above the clouds. It is bare metal with a large black number 1919 on the sides of its nose. It is serial no. 1B01919 with the 21st PLRT, Sochaczew.
The book contains 143 black and white photos and 7 color ones (including the cover arts).
Over 167 large nose numbers are shown.
All the aircraft in the books are shown with Polish Air Force checkerboard insignias on top of the wings and on the sides of the fuselage and rudder.
In the Mig-15 chapter, nose numbers shown are: 352, 6, 40, 5, 12, 2, 8. 16, 26, 30, 32, 35 (stenciled), 36, 38 (stenciled), 39, 24 (stenciled), 100 and 302 (stenciled).
Color side profile illustration are of nose number 4, with a black and white photo accompanying it of the actual aircraft, and a second profile illustration of red nose number 38, also with a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
In the Mig-15bis chapter, nose numbers shown are: 246, 370, 376 (stenciled), 464, 554 (stenciled), 615 (stenciled), 635 (stenciled), 645 (stenciled) and 352 (stenciled),
Color side profile of red nose number 96 is shown accompanied by a black and white photo of the actual aircraft with the pilot sitting in the cockpit and another side profile of red
nose number 252, with 2 black and white photos of the actual aircraft.
A side profile of red nose number 3068 (stenciled), with an accompanying black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
A side profile of a Mig-15bis that is overall bare metal with a yellow rudder and dark-grey number SP-GLZ on the sides of the rear end of the fuselage. With 2 black and white photos of the actual aircraft.
The chapter on the S-102 variant shows the nose numbers: 60 (stenciled), 68 (stenciled), 87 (stenciled), 77, 31 (stenciled), 501, 304, 504 (stenciled), 669 (stenciled), 674 (stenciled), 673 (stenciled), 854 (stenciled), 859 (stenciled), 862 (stenciled).
Color side profile of red nose number 91 (stenciled), with a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
A color side profile of red nose number 658 (stenciled), with a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
The chapter on the Lim-1(1A) variant shows the nose numbers: 01 (stenciled). 89 (stenciled), 04 (stenciled), 97 (stenciled), 05 (stenciled), 16 (stenciled), 737, 730, 722, 637 (stenciled), 24 (stenciled), 40 (stenciled), 26 (stenciled), 14 (stenciled), 22 (stenciled), 36 (stenciled), 712 (stenciled), 724, 736 (stenciled), 88 (stenciled), 19, 301, 09 (stenciled)and 21 (stenciled).
A color side profile is shown of a Lim-1 that is overall bare metal with a red tip of the top of the rudder. A photo of the actual aircraft accompanies it.
A color side profile of a Lim-1 shows the nose number red 16 (stenciled) and actual black and white photo of the actual aircraft. It too has a red rudder tip.
A color 3-view showing a Lim-1 with red nose number 10 (stenciled) is shown, along with a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
A color side profile of a Lim-1 with red nose number 10 (stenciled. With a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
A color side profile of a Lim-1 with red nose number 104 (stenciled). Again with a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
The chapter on the Lim-1.5 just shows one black and white photo of the actual aircraft with the nose number 21.
The chapter on the Lim-2 (1B) shows nose numbers: 001 (stenciled), 106 (stenciled), 107 (stenciled), 307 (stenciled), 216, 317 (stenciled), 420 (stenciled), 415 (stenciled), 501 (stenciled), 0501 (stenciled),714 (stenciled),, 518 (stenciled), 822 (stenciled) 820 (stenciled), 825 (stenciled), 902 (stenciled), 927 (stenciled), 1012 (stenciled), 921 (stenciled), 1030, 90, 921 (stenciled), 1021 (stenciled).
A color photo a Lim-2 with red nose number 1106, black nose numbers again of: 1111, 1119 (stenciled), 1017, 1213, 1619, 0213, 1216 (stenciled).
A photo of a flight of 43 Lim-2’s that are forming the number 1000 over Plac Defilad (Parade Square) in Warsaw on 22 July 1966, 1226 (stenciled), 1302 (stenciled).
A color photo of nose number 1201 in flight, 608 (stenciled), 716 (stenciled), 1322, 1216, 15, 1121, 1105, 1309, 1323, 1119 (stenciled), 1917, 1409 on a railroad car (stenciled), 1430 (stenciled), 1520 (stenciled), 1516, 402, 1910, 1629 (stenciled), 1619, 1615, 1210, 1707.
Color photo of red nose number 1809 (stenciled) with red rudder tip, 1823 (stenciled), 1912 (stenciled), 1919 (stenciled), 1931 (stenciled) and 911.
A color side profile of nose number red 112 (stenciled) with a blue rudder tip and a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
A color side profile of black nose number 410, with 2 black and white photos of the actual aircraft.
A color side profile of red nose number 806, with a photo of the actual aircraft alone and parked next to nose number 809.
A color side profile of red 1012 (stenciled), with a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
A color side profile of Red 1306 (stenciled), also with 2 black and white photos of the actual aircraft, one showing it in flight and the other on an airfield next to 9 other Lim-2’s.
A color side profile of a Lim-2 that is in a wave pattern of tan, grey and dark-green over a bare metal undercarriage. It carries the red nose number 612 (stenciled). A black and white photo of the actual aircraft sitting amongst a group of other aircraft, probably at an air show, as there are 3 women and a little girl viewing the scene.
A color side view of red nose number 1214 (stenciled) with a red rudder tip. Also a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
The Lim-2R (1B) chapter shows nose numbers: 515, 05, 114, 1205, 4910 (stenciled), 508, 502 (stenciled), 601 (stenciled), 606 (stenciled), 706 (stenciled), 612 (stenciled), 806 (stenciled) 709 (stenciled), 824, 1126, 1419, 1503 (stenciled), 1611 (stenciled), 1614 (stenciled),
A color side profile on nose number red 1606 (stenciled). With a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
This book will be of great interest to a modeler who plans to build a model of a Mig-15 variant, and to aviation historians alike.
I sincerely wish to thank Casemate Publishers for this review sample. Casemate is the N. American distributor of Stratus Books and all their book titles can be viewed on Casemate’s website at:
A side profile of red nose number 3068 (stenciled), with an accompanying black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
A side profile of a Mig-15bis that is overall bare metal with a yellow rudder and dark-grey number SP-GLZ on the sides of the rear end of the fuselage. With 2 black and white photos of the actual aircraft.
The chapter on the S-102 variant shows the nose numbers: 60 (stenciled), 68 (stenciled), 87 (stenciled), 77, 31 (stenciled), 501, 304, 504 (stenciled), 669 (stenciled), 674 (stenciled), 673 (stenciled), 854 (stenciled), 859 (stenciled), 862 (stenciled).
Color side profile of red nose number 91 (stenciled), with a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
A color side profile of red nose number 658 (stenciled), with a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
The chapter on the Lim-1(1A) variant shows the nose numbers: 01 (stenciled). 89 (stenciled), 04 (stenciled), 97 (stenciled), 05 (stenciled), 16 (stenciled), 737, 730, 722, 637 (stenciled), 24 (stenciled), 40 (stenciled), 26 (stenciled), 14 (stenciled), 22 (stenciled), 36 (stenciled), 712 (stenciled), 724, 736 (stenciled), 88 (stenciled), 19, 301, 09 (stenciled)and 21 (stenciled).
A color side profile is shown of a Lim-1 that is overall bare metal with a red tip of the top of the rudder. A photo of the actual aircraft accompanies it.
A color side profile of a Lim-1 shows the nose number red 16 (stenciled) and actual black and white photo of the actual aircraft. It too has a red rudder tip.
A color 3-view showing a Lim-1 with red nose number 10 (stenciled) is shown, along with a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
A color side profile of a Lim-1 with red nose number 10 (stenciled. With a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
A color side profile of a Lim-1 with red nose number 104 (stenciled). Again with a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
The chapter on the Lim-1.5 just shows one black and white photo of the actual aircraft with the nose number 21.
The chapter on the Lim-2 (1B) shows nose numbers: 001 (stenciled), 106 (stenciled), 107 (stenciled), 307 (stenciled), 216, 317 (stenciled), 420 (stenciled), 415 (stenciled), 501 (stenciled), 0501 (stenciled),714 (stenciled),, 518 (stenciled), 822 (stenciled) 820 (stenciled), 825 (stenciled), 902 (stenciled), 927 (stenciled), 1012 (stenciled), 921 (stenciled), 1030, 90, 921 (stenciled), 1021 (stenciled).
A color photo a Lim-2 with red nose number 1106, black nose numbers again of: 1111, 1119 (stenciled), 1017, 1213, 1619, 0213, 1216 (stenciled).
A photo of a flight of 43 Lim-2’s that are forming the number 1000 over Plac Defilad (Parade Square) in Warsaw on 22 July 1966, 1226 (stenciled), 1302 (stenciled).
A color photo of nose number 1201 in flight, 608 (stenciled), 716 (stenciled), 1322, 1216, 15, 1121, 1105, 1309, 1323, 1119 (stenciled), 1917, 1409 on a railroad car (stenciled), 1430 (stenciled), 1520 (stenciled), 1516, 402, 1910, 1629 (stenciled), 1619, 1615, 1210, 1707.
Color photo of red nose number 1809 (stenciled) with red rudder tip, 1823 (stenciled), 1912 (stenciled), 1919 (stenciled), 1931 (stenciled) and 911.
A color side profile of nose number red 112 (stenciled) with a blue rudder tip and a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
A color side profile of black nose number 410, with 2 black and white photos of the actual aircraft.
A color side profile of red nose number 806, with a photo of the actual aircraft alone and parked next to nose number 809.
A color side profile of red 1012 (stenciled), with a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
A color side profile of Red 1306 (stenciled), also with 2 black and white photos of the actual aircraft, one showing it in flight and the other on an airfield next to 9 other Lim-2’s.
A color side profile of a Lim-2 that is in a wave pattern of tan, grey and dark-green over a bare metal undercarriage. It carries the red nose number 612 (stenciled). A black and white photo of the actual aircraft sitting amongst a group of other aircraft, probably at an air show, as there are 3 women and a little girl viewing the scene.
A color side view of red nose number 1214 (stenciled) with a red rudder tip. Also a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
The Lim-2R (1B) chapter shows nose numbers: 515, 05, 114, 1205, 4910 (stenciled), 508, 502 (stenciled), 601 (stenciled), 606 (stenciled), 706 (stenciled), 612 (stenciled), 806 (stenciled) 709 (stenciled), 824, 1126, 1419, 1503 (stenciled), 1611 (stenciled), 1614 (stenciled),
A color side profile on nose number red 1606 (stenciled). With a black and white photo of the actual aircraft.
This book will be of great interest to a modeler who plans to build a model of a Mig-15 variant, and to aviation historians alike.
I sincerely wish to thank Casemate Publishers for this review sample. Casemate is the N. American distributor of Stratus Books and all their book titles can be viewed on Casemate’s website at:
Highly recommended.