Hobby Master 1:72 MIG-15bis "Lt. No Kum-sok" 2057, Kimpo AFB, Sept 1953 HA2432

On 21 September 1953, North Korean pilot No Kum-sok defected in a MiG-15bis, landing unexpectedly at Kimpo Air Base, South Korea. Unaware of Operation Moolah's reward offer, No flew his aircraft intact to the West, providing an intelligence windfall. US and allied engineers quickly examined the MiG, testing its performance against contemporary fighters and confirming strengths in climb and high altitude maneuvering, alongside weaknesses in visibility and low speed control. The aircraft was later shipped to Wright-Patterson for evaluation, shaping tactics, training, and aircraft development during the early Cold War. No later resettled abroad, becoming a symbol of War defections. Mikoyan-Gurevich

MiG-15 Fagot

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.