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| VSS 139th GIAP 1st Squadron |
Pilot Senior Lieutenant Mikhail F. Grachyov, C.O. 1st Squadron (KIA) Crashed November 9, 1950 Aircraft History Built by Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau as МиГ-15 / MiG-15 serial number 120125. Assigned to the Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily (VSS) Soviet Air Force to the 139th Guards Fighter Regiment (GvIAP), 1st Squadron. This aircraft was in a natural metal finish with Chinese markings. Nose Number 125 (Red 125). The tail rudder had red and white stripes. Mission History On November 9, 1950 took off from Liaoyang Airfield piloted by Sr. Lt. Mikhail F. Grachyov on a mission to intercept AD-4 Skyraiders and F4U Corsairs from USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) attacking bridges over the Yalu River. Engaged by their top cove of F9F Panther jets from VF-111 that dispersed the MiG-15 formation. During the dogfight, this aircraft was intercepted by F9F Panther piloted by LCDR William T. Amen C. O. of VF-111 off the USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), flying an aircraft borrowed from VF-112. Amen Panther got behind this aircraft and opened fire with his 20mm cannons as the MiG tried to dive away. Around 3,000' the MiG rolled over and crashed into a small hill. Pilot Grachyov never bailed out and was either killed in the air or died in the crash. This was the first verifiable "jet versus jet" kill of the Korean War, as Grachyov's loss is confirmed in Soviet records, verifying Amen's aerial victory claim. References Some sources list Grachyov's rank as Captain incorrectly. Amen's F9F Panther flown on the mission was borrowed from VF-112. USS Philippine Sea CV 47 page 20 Soviet MiG-15 Aces of the Korean War profile 6 and text reference Unforgotten Hero: Remembering a Fighter Pilot's Life, War and Ultimate Sacrifice The Naval Air War in Korea, page 74 Grachyov's rank is listed as "Sr. Lt." (Senior Lieutenant) Korean War Almanac page 131 Air Combat: An Oral History of Fighter Pilots page 122, 134 (lists incorrect date November 10, 1950) Red Wings Over The Yalu (2002) page 88, 248 (chapter 4, footnote 48) "The Soviet records do agree, however, with the claim by U.S. Navy aviator William Amen that he blasted Sr. Lt. Mikhail F. Grachyov MiG[-15] with his 20-mm cannons on November 9, causing it to crash into a North Korean hillside and explode... Therefore, the first jet-to-jet kill in history should probably be awarded to the U.S. Navy. (footnote 48)." Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated June 20, 2023 |
 MiG-15 |
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