Soviet Pilots During Korea And Vietnam.... (1 Viewer)

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Lucky13

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Aug 21, 2006
In my castle....
Was there a way to tell the difference, if you were in a dogfight with a Korean/Vietnamese pilot or a Russian pilot?

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Generally speaking, in Korea it was relatively easy to distinguish between Russian, Chinese and North Korean pilots :

- For many, the Russians were World War II veterans, some with several victories under their belts, and therefore very tough and dangerous. Many aces.

- The Chinese were much less experienced, and were converted to MiG-15s in a hurry. Some already had experience on the MiG-9, others on the propeller-driven Lavochkin. In any case, at least in the early days, they were not very dangerous and were regarded by the Americans as "cannon fodder". Some became aces.

- The Koreans had even less experience and were few in number, but some became aces also.
 
Was there a way to tell the difference, if you were in a dogfight with a Korean/Vietnamese pilot or a Russian pilot?

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No. How would the US pilot/aircrew possibly know? And what difference would it make? The fight was going to progress however it was going to progress.
Very few Russian pilots flew in Vietnam, and I only know of one who died in a MiG--he was an instructor. IIRC total Soviet deaths amounted to 16.
N Koreans were active up to 67 or 68, and there's a separate cemetery for about 14 Works including support personnel.
 

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