List of Vietnam War flying aces
| Name | Country | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| Nguyễn Văn Cốc | North Vietnam | MiG-17, MiG-21 |
| Mai Văn Cường | North Vietnam | MiG-17, MiG-21 |
| Nguyễn Hồng Nhị | North Vietnam | MiG-21 |
| Phạm Thanh Ngân | North Vietnam | MiG-17, MiG-21 |
Contents
Were MiGs used in Vietnam?
Thus, it came as a surprise on April 3, 1965, when a pair of MiG-17s pounced on a US Navy strike flight south of Hanoi and raked the F-8E Crusader fighter-bombers with 23 mm cannon fire. The North Vietnamese believed, erroneously, that they had destroyed two of the Crusaders.
Who was the best fighter pilot in Vietnam?
Nguyễn Văn Cốc
Nguyễn Văn Cốc of the 921st Fighter Regiment, the top scoring fighter ace of the Vietnam War. On 2 January, 1967 the destinies of these two formidable air warriors came together during a brief and decisive air battle over North Vietnam.
Were there any dogfights in Vietnam?
The Vietnam War saw a move away from cannon fire to air-to-air missiles. Although US forces maintained air supremacy throughout the war, there were still occasional dogfights and US and North Vietnamese aces.
How many MiG 21s were shot down in Vietnam?
The MiG-21 N. 4324 of the Vietnam People’s Air Force. This fighter aircraft, flown by various pilots, was credited for 14 kills during the Vietnam War.
Who flew MiGs?
“An analysis of ground control traffic in June 1952 concluded that more than 90 percent of MiGs engaged in air operations over North Korea were being flown by Russians.” The Soviet Union kept the participation of their aircrews in the Korean War secret for many years, though it was widely suspected by UN forces.
How many MiGs did North Vietnam have?
By the end of 1964 the North Vietnamese Air Force possessed only 34 fighter aircraft. These were MiG-15s and MiG-17s based at Phuc Yen. By late 1964 North Vietnam possessed a minuscule force of 117 to 128 Soviet aircraft, of which only thirty-five were MiG–15 or MiG–17 fighters.
Who Flew the MiGs for North Vietnam?
Major Robert A. Lodge was pilot and Locher was the weapon systems officer in an F-4D flying combat air patrol to interdict North Vietnamese MiGs (MIGCAP). The two men were the most experienced crew in Southeast Asia.
Who was the last fighter ace?
His third credited kill came in the 1999 Kosovo War when Rodriguez shot down a Serbian MiG-28 that had taken off to resist NATO’s air attack on the first night of the campaign. Rodriguez is widely known as the “Last American Ace.”
How many U.S. pilots were shot down in Vietnam?
There were a total a 269 American and enemy aircraft shot down in air-to-air combat over Vietnam during the entire war—201 in fights between the U.S. Air Force and North Vietnamese air force and just 68 in the U.S. Navy’s air battles with the North Vietnamese.
How many b52s were shot down in Vietnam?
30 B-52s
Only one other B-52 tail gunner had scored a successful kill against a Vietnamese fighter, though more than 30 B-52s had been shot down throughout the conflict.
Why is a dogfight called that?
Etymology. The term dogfight has been used for centuries to describe a melee: a fierce, fast-paced close quarters battle between two or more opponents. The term gained popularity during World War II, although its origin in air combat can be traced to the latter years of World War I.
How many MiGs were lost in Vietnam?
List of US aircraft losses to missiles during the Vietnam War
| Year / aircraft / totals | SAM type |
|---|---|
| F-8C, F-8E Crusader (4) | SA-2 |
| RF-101C Voodoo (2) | SA-2 |
| F-105D, F-105F Thunderchief (15) | SA-2 |
| A-4C, A-4F Skyhawk (21) | SA-2 |
What was the life expectancy of a helicopter pilot in Vietnam?
between 13 and 30 days
The life expectancy of a helicopter pilot in Viet Nam was between 13 and 30 days.
Why is MiG 21 called fishbed?
Fishbed was its randomly chosen NATO identifier. The Soviets hated it, just as they hated Fagot, Faithless, Frogfoot and other Western names for their fighters.Its baby brother, the transonic MiG-15, holds the all-time jet record: some 18,000 units.
Why did the US lose so many aircraft in Vietnam?
By mid-1965, several manned aircraft were lost due to ground fire, lack of fuel, mishaps, and other causes, and many aircrews were already prisoners of war. The increasing pace of flights provided a target-rich environment for North Vietnam. On June 20, 1965, a USAF F-4C based at Ubon RTAB, Thailand, was shot down.
Who flew MiGs in Korean War?
During the Korean War, the MiG-15 was flown by North Korean, Chinese and Soviet pilots. It is characterized by its light weight, extreme maneuverability, and rapid rate of climb. Over 12,000 were produced by communist bloc nations and up to an additional 6,000 under license by other countries.
Did Russian pilots fly in Korean War?
Soviet pilots were active in Korea from April 1951.Soviet pilots flying MiG-15 jets participated in battles around the Yalu River Valley on the Chinese-Korean border in the area known as “Mig Alley” and in operations against UN “trainbusting” attacks in Northern Korea, with considerable success.
How many MiG 15s are still flying?
Licensed foreign production may have raised the production total to almost 18,000. The MiG-15 remains in service with the Korean People’s Army Air Force as an advanced trainer.
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15.
| MiG-15 | |
|---|---|
| First flight | 30 December 1947 |
| Introduction | 1949 |
| Status | In limited service with the Korean People’s Army Air Force |
Was the MiG 17 good?
The MiG-17F was a very nimble fighter that could prove deadly unless respected when engaged by pilots with superior training and tactics such as those used by the U.S. Navy and Air Force. One moment’s complacency when fighting against the MiG-17F could prove fatal.
Who made the MiG 17?
Mikoyan
