Head-to-Head: MiG-15 Versus Sabre
The Korean War brought about the first jet-versus-jet duels, most notably between the MiG-15 'Fagot' and the F-86 Sabre.
by Staff Writer

January 28, 2009 - The mighty Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 "Fagot" squared off against the North American F-86 Sabre in the first jet-versus-jet duels of the Korean War. The MiG-15 was basically released in two major fighting production models - the original MiG-15 and the improved MiG-15bis. Conversely, the F-86 appeared in A-, E- and F-models during the conflict, all improving upon the excellent original. Where the MiG-15 was able to take on the early straight-wing, turbojet-powered and propeller-engine fighters of the war, the Sabre's arrival returned air superiority back to NATO hands, forcing North Korean ground forces back across the front lines for (relative) good.

In this segment, we brake down the various qualities of each aircraft on a per-series basis, not centering in on any one production model specifically but taking the series of aircraft as a whole. Ultimately, its what makes the pilot, more so than his aircraft, in a given air duel but one cannot rule out the importance of flying and fighting with the right tools.

"It isn't the plane that's important in combat, it's the man sitting in it."
~ Chuck Yeager

MiG-15	Responsiveness	F-86 Sabre
	Maneuverability
	Spin Recovery
	Turn Radius
	Rolling
	Acceleration
	Performance
	Low-Altitude
	Medium-Altitude
	High-Altitude
	Maximum Ceiling
	Maximum Range
	Maximum Speed
	Climb Rate
	Dive Speed
	Armament
	Firepower "Punch"
	Ammunition Supply
	Gun Accuracy
	Gun Rate-of-Fire
	Miscellaneous
	Cockpit Visibility

There's no doubt that the MiG-15 was a better high-altitude performer, allowing MiG pilots to choose when they wanted to fight. However, the Sabre ruled at medium- and low-altitudes where performance of the MiG-15 suffered considerably - allowing Sabre pilots the ability to choose how to fight. The MiG-15 did enjoy a better turning radius and acceleration factor but was outclassed in the maneuverability and rolling categories - to which Sabre pilots incorporated into their tactics to much success. Additionally, the Sabre was not dogged by the nasty spins that MiG-15 pilot's could find themselves in. Spin-related accidents accounted for many an inexperienced MiG pilots death in fact. The Mig-15 enjoyed a better climb rate while the Sabre proved unbeatable in a dive.

In terms of "punch", the MiG-15 held the edge with its collection of high-power cannons. The systems saw a slower rate-of-fire when compared to the Sabre's heavy machine gun armament and were also limited in their ammunition but a single shell could render many parts of an aircraft destroyed. On the contrary, Sabre pilots enjoyed a high-rate-of-fire from their 6 x 12.7mm machine guns and as much as 1,600 rounds of ammunition but these machine guns lack the penetration quality of the MiG cannons.

In the end, the edge seems to go to the Sabre. It proved the better gunnery platform and inexperienced pilots behind the controls of a MiG-15 only exacerbated the limits of the Soviet fighter. But again, as airman Chuck Yeager once commented, the dogfight inevitably comes down to the pilot - his training, combat experience and instincts.

Soviet-piloted MiG-15s in the war performed considerably better against veteran American pilots over that of their North Korean allies. But, it seems, nothing could trump an F-86 Sabre with a World War 2 veteran ace at the controls.

FINAL VERDICT:

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