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Jim Reynolds's avatar

Hey John: I got this from AI. The MiG-15 did carry a 37 mm cannon, and it was one of the reasons the aircraft was so feared in early jet combat.

Typical MiG-15 armament:

• 1 × N-37 37 mm cannon

• 2 × NR-23 23 mm cannons

Why that mattered:

• The 37 mm round was enormous for an air-to-air weapon. One hit could cripple or destroy a fighter.

• The weapon was designed primarily to shoot down heavy bombers like the B-29, which required high destructive power.

• Against fighters, the shells could tear large holes in the airframe, which matches accounts from Royce Williams’ aircraft damage.

Brown Beezer's avatar

This is a great piece of suppressed history finally brought to light.. So good to see the credit go to the fellow who deserves it....before he checks out... Thank you Jim

Harold Koenig's avatar

I remember the Moght O pulling in to Sasebo, Japan when I was stationed there 1967-9.

John Morrissey's avatar

I believe the Mig 15 did not have a 37mm cannon.

The story says it occurred near Vladivostok. That is a long way from the sea west of the Yalo river that separates Korea From Manchuria/China.