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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-korea-all-jet

Which aviation first occurred during the Korean War?

The war included the first jet-versus-jet air combat.

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  1. The first powered airplane flight
  2. The first nonstop transatlantic flight
  3. The first jet-versus-jet air combat ✔

Why: On November 1, 1950, Soviet MiG-15s attacked US F-80s in the first jet-versus-jet engagement in history. Propeller aircraft also flew during the war.

Huh, didn't know that: The US Air Force credited Lt. Russell Brown with a MiG-15 on November 8, but Soviet records do not confirm the loss.

The dad joke
Why did the jets in Korea never get tired? They ran on pure jet fuel and enthusiasm.
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References

Answer: The first jet-versus-jet air combat. On November 1, 1950, Soviet MiG-15s attacked US F-80s in the first jet-versus-jet engagement in history. Propeller aircraft also flew during the war.

  1. H-056-1: Korea, November-December 1950, Naval History and Heritage Command www.history.navy.mil/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-056/h-056-1.html
    In the first jet-versus-jet engagement in history, three MiG 15s of the Soviet 72nd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment attacked F-80s of 51st Fighter Wing
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. H-056-1: Korea, November-December 1950, Naval History and Heritage Command www.history.navy.mil/about-us/leadership/director/directors-corner/h-grams/h-gram-056/h-056-1.html
    The previous day a USAF F-80 claimed to shoot down a MiG-15, but Soviet records do not confirm that
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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