Propellers to Jets: The Korean War Dogfights That Changed Air Combat Forever

The Korean War saw significant changes in military aviation in a short period. In June 1950, the aerial war began with piston-driven aircraft of the Second World War such as the Yak-11 and IL-10s battling F-82 Twin Mustangs and F-80 Shooting Star jet fighters over Kimpo Air Base near Seoul. By April 1951, MiG-15s were dueling with F-86 Sabres as B-29s were bombing railways connecting North Korea with China in an effort to slow the Chinese offensive overrunning United Nations forces. In December 1951 Australian Gloster Meteors are heavily outclassed by MiG-15s forcing changes in UN aerial tactics.

The lessons learned in these battles will shape the next half-century of aerial warfare from Vietnam to the Persian Gulf and beyond.

Thanks to:

• Dr. Conrad Crane, military historian, retired United States Army officer, former professor at the United States Army War College and at West Point and the author of American Airpower Strategy in Korea, 1950-1953
• Dr. Andrew Wackerfuss, historian at the United States Air Force history office. Dr. Wackerfuss' views in this podcast represent his own analysis and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. government.

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