MiG 15 question

Theuns, I don't know the answer to what you asked, but there are some decals sets for NMF MiG 15's in Korea. Heres 3 I found.

www.hannants.co.uk/.../RVMD7217

www.hannants.co.uk/.../HMD72004

www.hannants.co.uk/.../HMD72005

I am guessing you don't want to buy extra decals. But the fact that there seem to be more NMF ones than Camo, and the camo doesn't seem normal practice for Soviet aircraft of the time, would suggest that the answer to your question is yes. The problem would be the markings, woul;d they have been the same in NMF as when the camo was applied.

Thanx mate, yes I would like not to buy extras if I can help it.

The declas for the Korean Mig is here - www.britmodeller.com/.../index.php.

If I compare it to the USSR plane it seems it also just had the insignia, stencling and side #, so maybe not so far off with those decals on NMF maybe??

Theuns

They do all look pretty similar. I notice all those NMF ones had a red nose, so it could be that was standard for when they were delivered. But there doesn't seem to be a standard way to apply it, some look to have more red than others. So that would have to be guess work I imagine.

I'm in two minds about getting that kit myself. I want a MiG 15 but have been holding out for the eduard kit. So I will be watching your build with interest.

That particular Mig in those markings/paint scheme was a night fighter. It was camo'd for the purpose of making it less conspicuous at night. That being said the majority of Migs were in NMF during the war. Of course the Korean markings are pretty much diplomatic fiction as for most of the war the pilots of "North Korean" Migs were Soviet or Eastern European flying in Russian Migs with NKPAF markings. Chinese Migs had their markings. All were flown out of their "sanctuary" bases in Manchuria, as any air base in North Korea that showed signs of activity was pummeled by UN air power. Soviet units would rotate in and out of Manchuria for a tour of combat duty, bringing their own equipment and men and replacing the unit preceding them without any sort of hand off period to pass on lessons learned. Units tasked for night air combat would have those machines painted in the scheme such as this one seen on the link. By 1953 though some day fighter camo schemes were also seen. The red nose Migs, IIRC, were particular to a few Soviet units, Guards type I think. I would have to go look that stuff up for confirmation.

Thanx for the cool info guys. I did a little googling and it does seem the NMF with the red nose looks to be correct for korean planes. The only hassle with using the kit's decals are that they only supply 4 of the korean roundals, I believe they should have 6 on the NMF, I will try to source 2 from amoeone in our club or just ommit the bottom wing ones, it is just a fun build anyway :-)

Theuns

Good info stik!

Just for more reference, I did this Monogram 1/48 MiG-15 in the markings of Russian Capt. Pavel Milauszkin.  Flying for the North Koreans in 1952, Capt. Milauszkin was credited with 10 kills.  The decals are the AeroMaster set, Korean War MiG Aces, no. 48-230.

Yes, you sould use pretty much any of the Bort numbers on the kit decal sheet, along with the NKPAF roundels for a generic Korean War Mig. As long as nobody will see the lower surfaces, who will know? Or perhaps somebody here has them in the decal spares bin and will send them to you...

Pretty sure the KP MiG 15 has decals for a natural metal North Korean bird.

Were those MIGs really NMF, or were they aluminum paint?  I have seen some in US that were painted, but of course they were likely restored, so that may not have been the original finish.  So have always been curious about the MIG finish.

I think they were NMF if you looked closely at the different colors of the pannels. Especially on the top of the wings there is a pannel that is defenately darker that the surrounding panneld. It runs at about 90 degrees to the leading edge under one of the wing fences.

I stand to be corrected though.

Theuns

I see that hobbyboss has a nice little MiG 15 Bis and it comes with URRS aswell as PLAF Chinese markings (the one with the whole red tail)

Wiki says PLAF fought in Korea, would it have been in support of the N Koreans and would the MiG as discribed above "fit in" with those colors/markings?

I would assume it to be very far fetched to think that any MiG's were flown there with USSR markings???

Theuns

I have never read of any communist aircraft in the Korean War being encountered with Soviet markings. Only North Korean or Red Chinese insignia on them. But it is not hard to change a Soviet red star by adding the circle surrounds of North Korea or red side bars and charecters of Red China. It was very important for both sides to maintain the fiction that US and USSR pilots were not directly involved in combat with one another over Korea.

Cool, so either Chinese or Korean marking will work then?

Theuns

For a Korean War Mig-15, yes.

If you mind about dimmensional unaccuracies, let me tell you that the Airfix MiG-15 have them, it's like a "MiG-17-sized MiG-15". I think Hobbyboss, albeit very basic, is more accurate (and cheaper)... Well, unlike other easy kits, this one has a very decent cockpit and a hidden sprue under the black tray (more parts). Only the nose gear needs a little attention. Best regards.

José.

Are you talking about the old or new Airfix Mig-15? Their new retooled kit is supposed to be very sweet!

Hello everybody!

When talking about the NMF for Soviet aircraft, it's worth to note the difference in technology between the American and Soviet machines - the Americans plated the sheet metal for their aircraft with pure alluminium, while on Soviet machines the duraluminium is visible on the surface. The result is a little rougher and darker than the "silver" or "chrome" many people use, so watch out for that.

Here's a photo of a two-seat variant in service, to show you what I mean:

Hope it helps, have a nice day

Paweł