F-51 Mustang.
By the start of the Korean War this World War II piston engine plane had been retired from U.S. Air Force service, but it was quickly recalled from reserve squadrons when the Air Force realized it needed a long-range aircraft for close air support. With a speed of 437 mph, the F-51 was no match for a MiG-15, but green MiG pilots overshot it on their diving attacks. If they had a little luck, the Mustang pilots could score against MiGs.
Roll a D-6. 1=MiG shot down. 2-3=draw. 4,5,6=kill, add ˝ point to next die roll.
F-80 Shooting Star.
This was the U.S. Air Force’s first practical jet fighter. The first MiG-15 shot down by a jet was downed by an F-80. With a speed of 580 mph, it was too slow for dogfighting a MiG. The F-80 primarily flew attack missions.
Roll a D-6. 1-2=MiG shot down. 3-4=draw. 5-6=kill, add 1 point to next die roll.
F-84 Thunderjet.
While it was faster than the F-80, the Thunderjet at 622 mph was not able to go head-to-head with a MiG. The F-84 flew some missions as fighter escort, but mostly served as a fighter-bomber.
Roll a D-6. 1,2,3=MiG shot down. 4=draw. 5-6= kill, add 1˝ to next die roll.
F-86 Sabre.
The Sabre was a swept wing jet that was a bit faster than the MiG-15. The MiG was unable to go the speed of sound. The Sabre could fly 675 mph and exceed the speed of sound in dives. The primary mission of the Sabre was to engage MiGs. When the two met, the ability of their respective pilots decided the outcome. Most Sabre pilots were World War II veterans with plenty of air-to-air combat experience. One squadron of Sabres was No. 2 Squadron South African Air Force.
Roll D-6. 1,2,3,4=MiG shot down. 5=draw. 6=kill, add 2 points to next die roll.
Gloster Meteor f.8.
The Gloster Meteor f.8 was an improved version of the World War II Meteor. One squadron of the Royal Australian Air Force flew them. At first they were used a fighter escorts, but at 598 mph they were slower than MiGs. They were effective in protecting the F-51s and F-80s, but paid a high price. Later they were transferred to other duties.
Roll D-6. 1-2=MiG shot down. 3-4= draw. 5-6= kill, add 1 to next die roll.
CORRECTION: In my article MiG Alley, I stated that Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy flew Meteors over Korea. Not true. Fleet Air Arm flew the following types: Seafire, Sea Fury, Firefly 5, Auster AOP6, and L-9. Naval air in the Korean War was assigned the roll of air support for ground troops. I regret the error.
- This has been corrected in the MagWeb.com archive. The Issue was # 127--RL
MiG Pilot Korean War Solo Game
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