Last F-86 vs MIG-15 combat July 20,1953

[kaki3152]

On July 20, 1953, the last two F-86 lost in aerial combat with MIG-15 were reported. These were F-86F, s/n 51-12973, 4th FG, 336TH FS, Maj. Thomas Sellers, KIA and F-86E, s/n 51-2836, 4th FG, 336th FG, Maj. Stephen Bellinger, POW. The only report I have seen is that they were trying to down MIG-15s in the landing pattern at Dabao. Major Sellers was USMC and supposedly lost both wings in combat.

[RSwank]

DPAA posting on Sellers:

https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/...0000007da00EAA

The other pilot (and POW) was Stephen L Bettinger.

https://thefrontlines.com/story/colo...rean-war-hero/

[kaki3152]

Thanks for the information.

[Håkan]

Hello!

It seems that one of the claiming Soviet pilots could have been kapitan Boris Sis'kov from 224 IAP, who claimed a F-86 S of Dapu airfield (claim 5 of 5; all in Korea).

Perhaps some of our Russian friends can verify this and perhaps have the name on the second pilot?

Best wishes/Håkan

[kaki3152]

The reason I posted this encounter was because I just bought a book on Amazon titled "Korean Air War" by Michael Napier., ex RAF Tornado pilot.

In this book he mentions the following: "Soviet pilots fought their last combat on 20 July [1953] and during the day Kpt B. N. Siskov and St. Lt. V.I. Klimov both shot down F-86s of the 4th FG, which attempted to engage MIG-15s in the landing pattern at Dabao"

To date, this is as much information I have been able to find, along with the useful links that RSwank provided.

[Vladislav]

Hello!
On 20 July 1953 soviet pilots claimed 4 F-86s.
After 13:00 six MiGs from 224 IAP landed on Dapu. A pair of Capt Boris Siskov and Senior Lt Vladimir Klimov were at an altitude of 150 m when Klimov got a tone of his radar warning system and they found a pair of Sabers from behind. The MiGs went up, the F-86s followed them, but having a higher speed, they overshoot. Siskov shot down the leader, who crashed near the airfield [Bettinger]. Klimov fired 25 shells at the wingman; F-86 went into the clouds with a white smoke.
At 16:00, the eight MiGs from 781 IAP of the Pacific Fleet was attacked on takeoff. In low altitude aerial combat Maj Chirkov and Senior Lt Sherstnev claimed 2 F-86s shot down (fire distance 500 – 800 m), and Klochkov claimed damaged another one.

Best regards,
Vladislav

[kaki3152]

So who shot down Sellers? Was the PLAAF involved?

[Vladislav]

Originally Posted by kaki3152

So who shot down Sellers? Was the PLAAF involved?

Тhere is no info about this in Russian sources.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Originally Posted by Vladislav

Hello!
On 20 July 1953 soviet pilots claimed 4 F-86s.
After 13:00 six MiGs from 224 IAP landed on Dapu. A pair of Capt Boris Siskov and Senior Lt Vladimir Klimov were at an altitude of 150 m when Klimov got a tone of his radar warning system and they found a pair of Sabers from behind. The MiGs went up, the F-86s followed them, but having a higher speed, they overshoot. Siskov shot down the leader, who crashed near the airfield [Bettinger]. Klimov fired 25 shells at the wingman; F-86 went into the clouds with a white smoke.
At 16:00, the eight MiGs from 781 IAP of the Pacific Fleet was attacked on takeoff. In low altitude aerial combat Maj Chirkov and Senior Lt Sherstnev claimed 2 F-86s shot down (fire distance 500 – 800 m), and Klochkov claimed damaged another one.

Best regards,
Vladislav

Vladislav

How were the Soviet pilots claims verified during the Korean war?
For example the two last claims listed here (Chirkov and Sherstnev) would both have ended up on North Korean territory and should be quite easily verified if correct.
Checking the Korwald loss list only, USAF/Navy lost seven aircraft that day, five F-86 and two F9F. Two F-86 pilots, beside Bettinger and Sellers were either KIA or MIA.
Unfortunately my Korwald list is quite rudimentary and gives neither time nor
circumstances, but they both feel prime "suspects" in the latter combat listed by you.
If such a guess can be proved valid, it is a quite remarkable accuracy in claims vs actual victories by the Soviet pilots!

B Rgds
Stig

[Vladislav]

Stig
Only the gun camera shots was enough, although search teams tried to look for wreckage. In fact, the overсlaim was up to 4 times.
The claims of Chirkov and Sherstnev most likely are not actual victories: long shooting distance, no reports on the results of their shooting (burning, crash...). Also, the soviet naval pilots in Korea were the most untrained dogfighters.
According Korwald circumstances of the remaining three F-86 losses on this day:
F-86/GIBSON: Hit by gnd fire, bailed out near K-13.
F-86/THEES: Direct hit by AAA following bomb run, crashed.
F-86/KNOTT: 2 F-86s, rescue msn providing RESCAP over downed pilot, aircraft crashed for unknown reason.

Best regards,
Vladislav