Operation Moolah
and the MiG-15 Prize

Artwork by Juanita Franzi

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In 1953 the Americans put up a $100,000 prize for the first pilot to defect in a MiG-15.

That September North Korean pilot, Lt No Kum-Sok, landed at the Allied base at Kimpo, bringing the latest MiG-15 variants directly into American hands. It seems he’d long held a desire to escape the oppressive Communist regime and wasn’t aware of the prize offer.

The top artwork depicts the North Korean markings it wore when Lt No flew into Kimpo. The aircraft was quickly dismantled and transported to Okinawa, Japan, where it was given US markings and flown several times.

The detailed analysis of the MiG-15 was undertaken at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, by the ATIC. The airframe and system were studied, and its flight characteristics were evaluated by the likes of Chuck Yeager.

Its 1954 ATIC scheme is portrayed on the lower profile.

Image and Text Copyright © 2016 by Juanita Franzi
Page Created 24 March, 2016
Last Updated 4 April, 2016

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