AERO 94 MiG-15bis v čs. vojenském letectvu 1. díl – Irra Miroslav (2022)

This Czech-language publication describes the MiG-15bis jet fighter, developed by the Mikoyan–Gurevich design bureau, and its service in the Czechoslovak military air force. Although externally similar to the original MiG-15, the MiG-15bis offered somewhat higher performance thanks to its new Klimov VK-1 engine, improved armament and other minor design changes. The Czechoslovak air force began switching to the aircraft, officially designated the S-103, in 1953, when 24 aircraft were delivered from the Soviet Union. From 1954, after production of the MiG-15/S-102 ended, it also received aircraft built under licence domestically. Production ended in 1958 after 620 machines had been built, 444 of which were taken over by the Czechoslovak air force. The MiG-15/S-102 had a technical service life of ten years, while aircraft modified into the MiG-15SB could serve for thirteen years. The MiG-15bis, despite having a largely similar airframe, remained in service until spring 1983. These aircraft came from the final licensed production batches of 1958 and served for almost 25 years. The publication continues the history of the production and service of the preceding MiG-15 version in the Czechoslovak air force, covered in earlier Aero publications.