MiG-15bisR30th Fighter-Bomber Reg. "Ostravsky," Czech Air Force, 1954 (1:72) by Hobby Master Diecast Airplanes
Item Number: HA2404
Russia had successfully copied the Rolls-Royce Nene engine and used it in the MiG-15 then set out to make improvements. Klimov developed the VK-1 engine that used larger components such as the combustion chamber the turbine blades and tail pipe. All this had to be accomplished so the new engine would fit into the same space that the Nene used. The MiG-15bis (NATO code name ' Fagot B) (bis - second) had a reconnaissance version labeled the MiG-15bisR. On this variant one of the 23 millimeter cannons was replaced with a single vertically-mounted camera and normally carried 600 liter long-range fuel tanks. The MiG-15bis used a more powerful engine and hydraulically boosted ailerons. There were a total of 364 MiG-15bisR built. The MiG-15bis was the main variant built.
The Letectvo CSLA (Czech Air Force) re-designated the imported MiG-15bis the S-103 (S = Stihac = Fighter). In 1954 the Czech company Aero Vodochody located just outside of Prague started to manufacture these aircraft and they were referred to as the Aero S-103 and S-103R. The MiG-15 was added to the Czech Air Force starting in 1951 with the last retiring from active service in 1983. The 30th Attack Regiment called 'Ostravsky' was so named in honor of the Czechoslovak ground-attack regiment that flew under the command of the Soviet's during the liberation of the city of Ostrava in the northern region known as Moravia.
Specifications (MiG-15bis)
Country of origin - Russia
Manufacturer - Mikoyan-Gurevich
Role ' fighter/interceptor
Crew ' 1 X pilot
Performance
Engine - 1 X 5,952 pound thrust Klimov VK-1 turbojet
Maximum Speed at Sea Level - 668mph (1,075km/hr)
Ceiling - 50,855ft. (15.5km)
Range - 1,156miles (1860km)
Weight
Empty - 8,115lbs. (3,681kg)
Max Takeoff - 13,327lbs. (6,045kg)
Dimensions
Wing Span ' 33ft. 0.75in. (10,08m)
Length ' 35ft. 7.5in. (10,86m)
Height ' 12ft. 1.75in. (3,70m)
Armament
1 X 37-mm N-37 cannon
2 X 23-mm NS-23 or NR-23 cannon
Up to 1,100 pounds of mixed stores on under-wing hard-points