MiG-3-15 (BK)

MiG-3-15 (BK)

I-16 type 24

MiG-3-34

MiG-3-15 (BK)

I-16 type 24

MiG-3-34

USSR

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
2.7	2.3	2.3

Class:

Fighter

Interceptor

Research:7 900

Purchase:10 000

Show in game

This page is about the Russian interceptor MiG-3-15 (BK). For other uses, see MiG-3 (Family).

Description

The MiG-3-15 (BK) is a rank II Soviet fighter with a battle rating of 2.7 (AB) and 2.3 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.37. It follows the MiG-3 in the tech tree and differs only in the additional non-synchronised suspended armament. It is armed with 2 x ShKAS 7.62 mm MGs and 3 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB MGs. It also has a Mikulin AM-35A engine sporting 1,200 hp.

Being a fighter with an inline engine distinguishes the MiG-3 greatly from its predecessors, the I-16 Ishak line, and they have very different play styles. The MiG-3 is an excellent early Boom & Zoom fighter and should be used accordingly.

The Mig-3-15 is relatively unique owing to the fact that it has the highest number of Berezin UB MGs as the main armament of any plane in War Thunder. To put this into perspective, compare the efficacy of the Berezin to the M2 Browning. The Berezin UB has a heavier round due to the longer length (12.7 x 108 mm vs. 12.7 mm x 99 mm) which thus gives it a higher muzzle velocity, also. Additionally, the fire rate of the Berezin UB is faster at about 900-950 rpm (vs. about 850 rpm with the M2). Also, the Berezin has access to cermet-core rounds, which give it better penetration.

Now how does this benefit the MiG-3-15 (BK)? Well, when combined with the ShKAS for range finding, the Berezin MGs can be devastating. A 2-3 second burst is all that is needed to either slice off a wing or set the engine on fire, whether it be a BF-109 F-1 or an A6M2 (especially). Always aim for the wings, however, as many air-frames can absorb the 12.7 mm bullets. Against bombers, however, the MGs may be slightly less effective than cannon. Use either the Air-Targets Belt, pure API-T (Tracers), or Ground Targets (which have cermet core rounds). The MGs are also more effective than the ShVAKs at longer range, as they are generally more accurate and lose less velocity.

Therefore, depending on whether you enjoy the larger ammo reserve or are a weaker player who prefers spraying over taking careful shots, the Mig-3-15 could be the plane for you, or it may not (in terms of armament).

General info

Flight performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 7,800 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	608	591	12000	25.3	26.4	12.6		300
Upgraded	663	633		22.4	24.0	23.3	16.0

Details

Features					Limits (km/h)
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear	Wings	Gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X	677	320

Survivability and armour

• 8 mm Steel plate behind the pilot.
• 8.5 mm Steel plate under the pilot.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The MiG-3-15 (BK) is armed with:

• 1 x 12.7 mm Berezin UB machine gun, nose-mounted (280 rpg)
• 2 x 12.7 mm Berezin UBK machine guns, wing-mounted (145 rpg = 290 total)
• 2 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns, nose-mounted (750 rpg = 1,500 total)

Usage in battles

Even in Arcade, the Mig-3-15 is relatively inferior to most competitors. Its BR of 2.3 puts it with fighters such as the A6M2-N, F4F, and even the early Yak line. However, high altitude performance is one redeeming aspect, as is its top speed as well as level speed. Use this to your advantage, and BnR is very effective and BnZ is do-able as well.

The armament in AB is actually quite effective. The Berezin UB MGs are more than effective for bringing down any fighter, but may struggle with larger and faster bombers such as the A-20. In most aspects, the Berezin UB is more effective and versatile than the M2 Browning .5 calibre MG.

Like the successor to the I-16 and ultimately itself, the I-185, the Mig-3-15 is an excellent BnZ fighter. Strangely enough (for a Russian plane), it has better performance at higher altitude than it does at low altitudes due to the specialized high-altitude engine meant to remedy the problems of the Mig-1 (not in War Thunder). Additionally, it has a good climb rate and excellent speed for a BR of 2.3. Start a match by climbing fairly high- 3-4 km should be enough depending on your opponents (biplanes or Bfs). From there you can either make work of the bombers or lower-altitude fighters. Roll rate is average while durability is also average for a plane at 2.3. The high speed makes Boom & Run manoeuvres a breeze.

The armament, though considered weak by some players, can be extremely deadly if used correctly. Aim for the wings and/or engine of all planes, bomber or fighter. The Berezin UB is very effective when used with the Tracers (API-T) or Ground Targets (with the fantastic cermet core rounds). Visit the "Armament" section for more details.

Visibility is quite poor due to the lack of a good canopy. However, most other planes at this BR or similar do not have good visibility either.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Separate	Not controllable 1 gear	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Radiator		Offensive 7 mm
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 7 mm MGs
III	Wings repair	Engine		Offensive 12 mm
IV		Engine injection	Cover	New 12 mm MGs

Pros and cons

Pros:

• High speed, especially for its battle rating
• Good climb rate, though inferior to most biplanes and the Spitfire
• No cannons, which can be a pro or a con depending on your battle style.
• Cermet core ammo belt option
• Good acceleration and energy retention
• Engine is forgiving in terms of overheating
• Able to use interceptor spawn.
• If downtiered to 1.3 or 1.0, it is far superior compared to any biplane fighters it will encounter

Cons:

• Poor turn rate when compared to other fighters at 2.3
• Average durability, wings can rip fairly easily at high speeds, which are easily attainable
• No leading edge slats
• No cannons
• High wing-loading
• Difficulty pulling up from a high-speed dive attack

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

In-game description

A single-seat monoplane fighter with an all-metal construction, closed cockpit and retractable landing gear with a tail wheel.

The fighter was initially developed by N.N. Polikarpov, and later by A.I. Mikoyan and M.I. Gurevich at OKB-155.

The experimental I-200 fighter took its maiden flight on 5 April 1940. The plane went into series production in June 1940 at aircraft plant No. 1 in Moscow under the designation MiG-1.

The MiG-3 model joined the series in February 1941, with a modified wing, larger landing gear, an additional fuselage fuel tank, a new radiator, modified flaps and self-sealing for the centre-wing fuel tanks.

The MiG-3 series fighters were powered by the twin-row V12 Mikulin AM-35A engine with a maximum output of 1,350 hp. This was a geared-down engine with a single-stage supercharger and an air pressure regulator.

The armament on the first few MiG-3 series consisted of two 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns with 750 rounds each and one synchronized large-calibre 12.7 mm Berezina BS machine gun with 300 rounds. All three machine guns were placed above the engine.

The design also allowed for the suspension of two containers under the wing, each housing an unsynchronized large-calibre 12.7 mm Berezina BK machine gun.

The plane's bombing equipment consisted of four locking DZ-40 bomb racks mounted under the wing, each able to carry up to 100 kg. The overall weight of its bomb load was no greater than 220 kg. The MiG-3 could carry the AO-8/-10/-25 and FAB-50/-100, cluster bombs and bottles of KS incendiary fluid.

The plane possessed the PBP-1A collimator sight, which allowed it to use all types of anti-air and anti-ground weapons.

Before the Great Patriotic War, the MiG-3 was the most prolific modern fighter in the Soviet Air Forces. From June 1941, it was widely used on the front in Soviet Air Forces units, naval aviation units and Air Defence Forces units.

In total, 3172 of these planes were made. The MiG-3's production ended in December 1941. Its use continued in Soviet Air Forces divisions until 1943, and in air defence fleets until the end of the war.

Media

Videos

The Interceptor (MiG-3-15 BK Arcade Tutorial) - long5hot

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
• other literature.