On this day in aviation history, 74 years ago (August 9, 1952), a British Royal Navy Hawker Sea Fury shot down a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15, the only air-to-air sortie from a British pilot in a native aircraft during the Korean War. Commander Peter Carmichael (OBE, DSC) of the Royal Navy’s 802 Squadron is the pilot who is credited with the feat. Some dispute exists as to the accuracy of the claim, with arguments that Carmichael’s squadmate Brian ‘Schmoo‘ Ellis was the pilot who downed the MiG. Regardless of the exact details, the story remains profound and inspiring.
Carmichael and 802 Squadron were deployed to Korea in early 1952. On the day of the MiG-15 tally, 802 was tasked with attacking railway facilities between Manchon and Pyongyang. Carmichael and his squad were over Chinnampo when formation #2, Sub-Lieutenant Carl Haines, warned of MiGs coming in from above and behind, to their right. Carmichael reported the following about the dogfight to follow: “Eight MiGs came at us out of the sun. I did not see them at first, and my No. 4, ‘Smoo’ Ellis, gave a break when he noticed tracer streaming past his fuselage. We all turned towards the MiGs and commenced a ‘scissors’. It soon became apparent that four MiGs were after each section of two Furies, but by continuing our break turns, we presented impossible targets. They made no attempt to bracket us. One MiG came at me head-on. I saw his heavy tracer shells. I fired a burst, then he flashed past me. I believe Carl got some hits on him too. This aircraft then broke away, and went head-on to my Nos 3 and 4, Lieutenant Pete Davies and ‘Smoo’ Ellis. They were seen to get good hits on one who broke away with smoke coming from him.”
Some claims exist pointing to a second MiG-15 being downed during this sortie, although nothing has been proven or confirmed. Although Carmichael was the only British pilot to accomplish the feat of aerial combat in a British aircraft during the Korean Conflict, other Brits would claim no fewer than 7 kills while flying USAF aircraft, while serving on exchange. For his actions on August 9, 1952, Carmichael was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
