1:18 scale plastic replica of the North Korean MiG-15.
Made in the Union of Soviet Socialist’s Republic, based in North Korea and flown by a Russian Pilot, 21st Century Toys announces the release of its newest version of the Mikoyan Gurevich 15. The MiG-15 ‘Fagot’ distinguished itself as one of the premier jet fighters of the 1950s and was flown by the Soviet Union and its Eastern Bloc allies as well as the Peoples Republic of China and North Korea. Armed with one 37mm NL-37D cannon with 40 rounds, and two 23mm NR-23KM cannons with 80 rounds each, this fighter carried significant firepower! This extremely accurate 1:18 scale model is full of the exquisite detail you’ve come to expect from 21st Century Toys including retractable landing gear, sliding canopy (with remarkable cockpit details), removable armament tray and extendable speed brakes and also has many movable flying surfaces including ailerons, elevators, flaps and rudder.

The MiG-15 and the Sabre tangled often over the skies of Korea. While the kill ratio is still hotly debated today, the Sabre emerged as the clear winner. The US claims a kill ratio for the Sabre of 10:1 over the MiGs, while the Russians claim an absurd 3:1 ratio. The real ratio may never be known, but evidence suggests it is much closer to the US number. The MiG-15 was undoubtedly an excellent aircraft, and was a wake-up call that pushed US aircraft design ahead at a much accelerated pace as the Cold War heated up. After the War, the MiG-15 continued to serve with the Soviet, Eastern Block, and other air forces. A two seat training version, the MiG-15UTI (allied code named “Midget”), was produced and it became the standard jet trainer for many countries. It continued to serve in this capacity for over 40 years. Several hundred MiG-15s were license built in Poland as the Lim-1 and 2.

The MiG-15 was 33’2” long and had a wingspan of 33’1”. It was powered by a Klimov VK-1A centrifugal flow jet engine that developed 5,950 pounds of static thrust, which gave it a top speed of 650 mph. Fitted with long range fuel tanks, it had a combat range of 1,225 miles. Armament consisted of one 37mm NL-37D cannon with 40 rounds, and two 23mm NR-23KM cannons with 80 rounds each. These guns were fitted to an under slung tray that could be lowered on cables for quick rearming and ease of service. The MiG was fitted with a simple ballistic ejection seat and an ASP-3N gun sight. Over 13,000 Mig-15s of all marks were built, and many survive today. A number have been restored to fly and can be seen at air shows around the world to this day. Along with the F-86 Sabre, the MiG-15 will be remembered as one of the classic dogfight adversary aircraft.