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In December, 1950, China committed the Chinese People's Volunteer Air Force (CPVAF) to the Korean battle, eventually sending two of its new MiG-15 fighter divisions. The first Chinese combat patrols went out on December 26. The primary goal of the Soviet regiments was to deter Air Force B-29 bombing missions against targets in North Korea. The Chinese Air Force had different plans; it hoped to win sufficient control of the air to permit bomber and attack regiments of the CPVAF to conduct close air support missions for Chinese ground forces during its spring 1951 offensive.

Designed to meet a Soviet Air Force requirement for a high-performance jet fighter, the MiG-15 was first flown on December 30, 1947. The MiG-15 was used by several communist nations-including the USSR and North Korea-and was one of the first truly successful swept-wing fighters. It could shoot down heavy bombers and could climb faster and higher than its American rival, the F-86. Fortunately for the F-86, it also turned poorly and had high mach instability, which limited it as a dogfighter. It was poorly matched with the F-86 but excelled in its role as a bomber interceptor, frequently preventing B-29s from operating during the day.

Hobby Master's 1:72 scale MiG-15 has a near-seamless construction, exceptionally crisp panel lines and just the right number of features. The canopy slides open or can be removed for an unobstructed view of the cockpit interior, highly detailed dials and gauges, control stick and side panel equipment. Three cannon pods below the nose house 23mm and 37mm cannons, each fitted with separately applied barrels. The air intake separator has transparent headlights, and most releases feature configurable speed brakes. The solid metal wing has configurable flaps that expose internal structural detail when deployed and exceptionally detailed landing gear struts and actuator arms.

Info:     MiG-15 Fagot - CPVAF, Red 10, North Korea, 1950s