I'd say similarly forgotten as USAF bomber interceptors (eg Delta Dagger/Dart) as they had limited use after ICBM proliferation and functioned mostly as technology test subjects. Seems the Su-15 suffered similarly as American and GB interceptors for range, radar and missile limitations.
@@seapickles5762 never in my wildest dreams did I think my fav RUclips aviation channel would be the one to do a deep, credible, up-to-date English language video on this plane that’s fascinated me since I was a kid! Sometimes you really CAN have it all!
They're only dangerous if you're flying in a high flying airliner. Lower flying aircraft (especially civil propeller driven aircraft like Cessnas) are relatively safe due to the Flagon's inability to shoot down lower flying aircraft and inability to do air combat maneuvering.
Same, I love these videos but I always seem to fall asleep whilst watching them because I start them when I'm in bed or drowsy, I swear Not A Pound probably gets 3-4 views out of me per video lol.
Just like Drachinifel ! He's absolutely not boring but has such a calm well measured speaking voice. The only drawback is he dryly slips in a fair number of witty sarcasms that grab my attention, lol.
21:40 - "It turned out that although Factory 500 in Moscow could make the engines properly, Factory 26 in Ufa could not. "In June 1969, PRESUMABLY AFTER A ROUND OF 7.62MM CALIBRE HR AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS, the Ufa factory did manage to produce engines that met the design specifications." Heavens that was dark but it was also witty. Interesting video on the Flagon. Didn't know much about it apart from it's homicidal tendencies against civilian airliners. Very interesting.
How about a video on the Tu 128 Fiddler interceptor..an absolute giant of a heavy fighter. Also a video on Mig 25 Foxbat operations in the Middle East would be great.
I love the Flagon - one of those weird mutants that can only exist in an isolated, resource-rich environment where the niches haven't yet been filled to capacity. Basically it's the jet equivalent of a Moa.
Anyone else find it Ironic the Soviets thought the Korean Air 747 was a spy plane while Korean Air gave it the call sign 007......as in James Bond....the most famous spy,fictious or real
Su-15TM (and MiG-19`s) are my favorite , cold war era , Soviet aircraft, when Trumpeter released a 1:48 Su-15TM modelkit i was happy until i opened the box and saw that the Nose wasnt angled downwards slightly, but no Problem a modelmagazin came to help how to rebuilt the downward angle by scratch. Thx for the Flagon video
The Su-15 was a notoriously difficult aircraft to fly, even the later variants with the cranked wing. As mentioned, the aircraft had a high takeoff and landing speed. This was compounded by the fact that as a tailed delta design it could not use the high angle of attack landing approaches used by pure delta aircraft like the Mirage III or F-106 due to the need to maintain airflow over the horizontal stabilators. Even if a high AoA approach had been aerodynamically feasible, the Flagon's long nose would have made it impractical due to visibility concerns. I've seen a few comparisons made where it is stated that the Flagon's western counterpart was the F-106 but that is not quite true. Even though the F-106 entered service earlier than the Flagon, it was still a better aircraft in terms of serviceability, reliability, and effectiveness in the intercept role. I've often thought that the only reason the Su-15 entered production at all given that the MiG-25 was a superior interceptor is simply as a "keep-busy" measure to keep the Sukhoi OKB open. The Flagon's only kills against live targets were scored against unarmed (and unaware) airliners - KAL flight 902 (a Boeing 707), an Argentine Canadair CL-44 propliner, and KAL flight 007 (a Boeing 747). It is questionable how well a Flagon would have done in intercepting/shooting down a B-52 given the B-52's ECM capability in the late 70's. All in all, the Flagon was a disappointment and I've read one Flagon pilot's interview where he said that being assigned to fly them was a sort of punishment - when one pilot told his relatives that he was assigned to fly the Flagon his father (who had flown MiG-15's and 17's during the 1950's) asked him who he had pissed off.
You named all bad things about flagon and not a single good one? It is well known Interceptor for excellent rate of climb 230m/s and supersonic acceleration Surpassed only by MiG-25. With two R-98MR missiles was capable of 1.9 Mach and without armament 2.1 Mach. Also when engines are redlined (it have that Redline throttle stick ability like most of PVO strany interceptors) it was able to reach max speed of 2.5 mach in clean configuration. Radar Taifun-M RP-26 have two separate working frequencies (it is a derivative of RP-25) and have a range of 70km which is a good performance at a time. serviceability, reliability, and effectiveness in the intercept role between F-106 & Su-15TM... we can not compare this two because all available information are covered with propaganda fog of war ,where one side mock another side. But Su-15 because of its acceleration (1/3 faster rate of climb - 230m/s vs 150m/s) will catch its target much faster than F-106, especially if we compare armament of Su-15 with R-98MR/MT missile (23km range) with F-106 with unbelievable unreliable AIM-4F Falcon (9.7km range) !!!
@@svinche2You are ignoring the context, the Su15 was an interceptor that wasn’t as capable in the pure interceptor role as the MiG-25. The comparison between F106 and Su15 is not the main point the person commenting was making, rather that the Flagon was simply considered a lesser jet in the Soviet inventory compared to its contemporaries. Ergonomics matter more than you’d think lol, a pilot needs to be able to safely take off and land to get their flight hours in.
@@FishFlys Ignorant is you in this topic, because i read so many books about Su-15 and soviet jets from authors like Yefim Gordon and others. And all that Soviet Lesser jet is Invented by Western Propaganda outlets ! If this jet is in any way Lesser jet they will not built 1,290 pieces of it ! At first (before MiG-25 entered production) it is considered a elite PVO strany fighter jet ! Soviets didn't considered even obviously less capable Yak-28P lesser jet. And Su-15 production continued even after MiG-25 entered production told us that story, because Su-15 is much cheaper for production and exploitation. Only Su-9 is considered failed project and quickly updated in Su-11 version. Crampy not spacious cockpit, well all soviet jets have small cockpits but you should know that average height of soviet pilots are 1.65. They choose small bodied people for pilots !
@@svinche2 I never called the flagon “failed”. I said, truthfully mind you, that it is objectively inferior to its contemporaries that the Soviets already had access to. Your anecdotal evidence is worthless and adds nothing to the general context of the jet. It just wasn’t as good as the alternatives so it never saw much use.
Actualy plane was quite reliable. Landing speed was nothing new compared to contemporary 21 for example. Video is bit spiling bile on the plane like its some kind of serial killer not a machine. But I guess in current age its a norm on videos of this type.
'Flagon' all names given to Soviet types were for reporting purposes, F were for fighters, B for bombers (Bull, Bear, Bison), the name is simply from Webster's Dictionary and a noun in the entry and chosen so as not to be confused for any other word - Fishbed MiG 21, Foxbat MiG 23, Flagon SU 15. They rarely have any connection to the ability of the type.
But they absolutely did. They just happened to call the first common Soviet jet fighter the "MiG-15 Fagot" after an "easily kindled bundle of fuel for fire starting" from sheer coincidence? Bullshit. The first very high performance one that actually concerned them was the MiG-25, the "Foxbat". Then the first two really competitive designs were the "Fulcrum" and "Flanker", which just happened to more impressive sounding. Code words are not _necessarily_ chosen for any specific reason, but they can be selected for memorability.
@@justforever96 Why did you post this ? It contradicts nothing I wrote. The NATO 'Reporting Name' system was adopted from the US system for naming Japanese aircraft types simply to differentiate between them. What is the meaning of 'Foxbat' in relation to a Mach 3 interceptor apart from 'F' for fighter type? The definition of the word used is irrelevant and picked to avoid confusion with anything else. Fulcrum and Flagon are not descriptive either. Stop using cuss words in discussion, it is a substitute for thinking things through.
This plane would be a fine addition to War Thunder on the condition that Gaijin add high-altitude jet bombers like the big Boeings, V-Bombers, Tu-16, and so on. Tim’s Variety has made some good arguments about the changes needed to bomber play for air battles. Pure interceptors like the F-106, Flagon, Foxbat, Lightning F.3, F-89B, and frankly all the F-104s would finally have a viable playstyle!
@j.mangum7652 well it can do one or the other, oreasily overstress its 6.5Gmax and then perhaps loose a wing, or get itself attitude out of control past its limited control surfaces' areas & restricted elevon throw abilities to regain control.
For 007, articles and TV dramas spent years speculating on why the plane went off course, usually having it due to some technical problem as the pilots could not be at fault. Some surprise when the later release of the recovered FDR’s showed the pilots had simply forgotten to switch from Heading Mode to INS Mode after leaving Alaska.
All of the NATO names come from lists of random words. For aircraft, their are one syllable word lists for propeller driven aircraft and two syllable word lists for jet powered aircraft. The SU-15 was a jet powered fighter, so it was assigned a name that started with 'F' and had two syllables [the TU-95 was a propeller driven bomber, so it got a one syllable name starting with 'B']. The names are assigned in their order on the list. Given the chronology of the MiG-15, MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-25, and MiG-29 (Fagot', Fishbed, Flogger, Foxbat, and Fulcrum) the list may be sorted alphabetically, but I could be wrong about that.
Seen and heard them scramble. Very impressive (and LOUD). No photos of course, not in the USSR while waiting for our flight to depart somewhere in Siberia.
There a lot of weirdness surrounding that downing of a civilian jet. The american spyliner that was flying almost parallel to it, it was also dark , missiles were fired beyond visual range (maybe?) It was a mix of bad luck, aggravating tactics by a troublesome and elusive spy plane , initially lackluster response from the Soviets that soon became more frantic with ever increasing disregard for safety, less attention to detail/timee given to acquisition/confirmation of the target whilst getting pressure from upper echelon leadership demanding an end to the blatant intrussions into soviet airspace I mean this was building and building into massive disaster
Excellent job, as usual. The Flagon is a bit of an obsession for me. I had a Ukrainian airframe Lidar scanned a few years ago, and have been working (off and on) on a CAD model. All complete except for cockpit and landing gear. Hope to sell it as either a 3d printed kit in 1/48, or as STL files. Thought I'd seen every photo ever published, but you found more. Psycho Killer, maybe I'll put that on the box art!
I had to put captions on to be sure of what I heard... After a round of 7.62mm quality control improvements..." Absolutely brutal commentary and darkly humorous. I loved it. 😅
@chrismartin3197 t-10 seemed like a breakthrough even in it's original form, but t-10s is something stellar compared to something contemporary produced like MiG-23MLD.
Hard to believe they still keep some in storage for emergency activation, though I doubt they'd get many (if any) to operational status should russia choose to do so. Not only would they have to find technicians that remember how to service them but also re-train pilots on 60s soviet hardware. Makes one wonder just how much mothballed soviet aviation lies around. Has to be massive.
@@thatdude3938 Really? That would admittedly make more sense but I read one (possibly two?) claims that less than 100 were in good condition. I'll have to double check that
@@thatdude3938 So I rechecked and it seems it was a "possible" mixup with Mig-29s? But honestly after I did some more serious searching on the web, I struggle to find anything concrete about ANY russian mothballed jets at all. Everything contradicts itself including the wiki. So if you are reading this, feel free to drop any juicy info you have on the status of russias mothballed airfleet
@@ThePilot4ever Anything older than 4th gen was scrapped a while ago. The oldest fighters around are vanilla Su-27 retained in some units. No vanilla MiG-29 or MiG-31 remains. The status of mothballed reserves is unclear, but it is certain that it will not have anything 3rd gen at all. Some MiG-29 9.12 and MiG-31A were seen, but they were either being scrapped or en-route to upgrade
This is my favorite Cold War Soviet jet aircraft - note, I said “my favorite” and not “the best”. It has a particular retrofuture look that screams 1960’s, with heavy space-age influences. Was it objectively garbage? Well, yes. Unless making a rear-on interception against a non-maneuvering target, it was hopeless as a combat system. But man, those feets and speeds! Those sexy Jet Age lines! Those crimes of war! I always side with the freaks and mutants of a given field, and this thing was a little bit of both. RIP everyone whose life it ever claimed.
@@zacklewis342 taking nothing away from the Yak-28, which definitely also scratches my “freak and/or mutant” itch. Really, any fighter or light bomber made by a non-MiG OKB after about 1947 has a place in my heart.
Idea: Do a overview video on the Voyska PVO. I don't think many people outside hardcore Cold War nerds understand there were TWO Soviet air forces. (well, three, counting Naval Aviation, but you know what I mean)
Жаль мало сказано было о системах автоматизированного управления и наведения перехватчиков, начиная с "Вихрь-1". Ведь самолет Су-15 являлся частью сложнейшего комплекса, в этом и стоит искать причины достоинств и недостатков этой, несомненно, контроверсивной машины.
Thank you OP. For the last 20 years since I developed a love for combat aviation, I’ve always had a fascination for this good looking and somewhat mysterious interceptor. There is very little easily accessible English speaking information on the Flagon when compared to Foxbat and other more notable models
Also looking forward to Su-17/22 and the precursor Su-7 video(s). Those Cold War Sukhoi jets seemed to be quite prolific around the world but don't get as much exploration as MiGs.
@@NefariousKoel Yes, YES, YES!!!! I 100% agree and would love to learn more about the Sukhoi jets, especially from a NAPFATG perspective. A wit worthy of Clive James.
Have you done a video on the early F-16 Vipers? I recently found your channel and dont know much about the early years of 4th generation jets, and would love to learn about it all from you!
When I was deployed to Kandahar and Kabul for the war we had access to the old Soviet aircraft and armor scrap heaps left behind from their war in Afghanistan. I SWEAR there was a dual engined Flagon-type aircraft amongst them.
I've seen articles on how the 747 was considered for several roles during the Cold War, such as a flying aircraft carrier and a cruise-missile-focused "bomber." Now I know why so few saw military usage: the Flagon was the kryptonite of jumbo jets!
There were certain angles in certain photos you showed where, from one third of the fuselage behind the wing root to the tip of the tail looked like the F-105 Thunderchief. I know it was a trick of the camera, but damn, looked just like it. Thanks for this long vid. I love Russian/Soviet aircraft. So exotic from the usual Western fair.
Since your video on it the f106 has impressed me almost every day with how fast it was. It makes me wonder how fast a gripen could go with moving inlet ramps.
Thanks for this NAPFATG! Been waiting for ages for someone to do an in depth review of the SU-15. Could you perhaps cover the TU-28/128 as i absolutely adore that big old fat bird! Quite interesting to compare VVS vs PVO aircraft and facilities of the same eras, what was the percentage of resources that each branch was allocated WRT airforce budgets? Anyhoo, keep up the awesome work comrade!
Very interesting video. I remember the 1986 KAL shoot down and ensuing outrage very well. I’ve also noticed that you used “RC One-Three-Five” when reading “RC-135”; in the USAF, however we say “RC One-Thirty-Five”.
After hearing about this plane, I am surprised it is not already in War Thunder for one, and secondly, looking at it it reminds me of a hybrid of the J-7E and J-8, Im curious what perspective NaPfAtG has on those two. Great video as always.
Thank you. The Sukoi teen series rarely gets the attention it deserves. That doesn't mean they were good mind you. I still believe the "hero fighters" of the USSR until the 70s were MiGs because of Artem Mikoyan's brother. Yeah I know "nepotism In the USSR? No way." It is note worthy that once he died in Dec 1970 SU quickly became the primary aircraft designer. The SU-24, 25, 27, etc. Meanwhile MiGs last big hits were the 29 and 31. The 29 has been over shadowed by the 27 and the 31 is a niche aircraft with "only" about 500 built.
MiG aircraft outclassed competitors from Sukhoi all the way until Su-27, simple as that. In this example, Su-15 loses on all accounts against MiG-25 - except for price. Su-15 was just cheaper
Its interesting that it was always Korean airlines gatting lost and into trouble... The shoot down of that turboprop near Iran also shows that back than the use of civilian marked aircraft for clandestine purposes was much more common.
When I was growing up I remember seeing these grainy black and white photos of Soviet jets like this, jets most Westerners would never get to see in person, and wonder about them. They always looked so low tech compared to equivalent role US or British or French aircraft. The more I learn about them, the more convinced I am that my instinct was correct. The Su-15 is not a bad-looking airplane from a distance, with its clean lines and all, but these photos of it up close reveal what looks to me like sloppy workmanship, and the reports of its shortcomings don't bode well for trying to defend against an actual USAF bomber raid.
I've always liked the looks of the Su-15. When I was a small kid in the 1950s and making drawings of airplanes was a major source of entertainment in those WAY pre-internet days, I often drew things that resembled this plane. That was just how I thought an interceptor of that era should look. But otherwise, as you describe, not really a lot of capability. Still, a good-looking airplane IMHO. Thanks for the video.
@@Genoan01 🍷 Eye of the beholder, for sure. I watch a car channel that has great history and a real good design breakdown, but I subjectively disagree with the fellow about rear fender skirts, I'm not for them. Some people love them. Now, the Su-15 isn't a beauty like the F-86 (or the F-8 Crusader, also a favorite but less pleasing to the eye to some...) but not only is it a different type of aircraft, but it does catch my eye. Cheers!
Interesting take… I remember that shoot down like it was yesterday. That event gave real meaning to President Reagan’s description of the USSR as the “evil empire”.
@ One major difference: The Iranian airliner was misidentified in a war zone (though, it still should not have been). The Korean airliner was plainly identified….
@@68orangecrate26 ...identified as USAF RC-135 that was flying in the same area at the same time Also, what exactly US combat ship was doing in Iranian territorial waters in 1988?
Years ago I heard that a P2V was shot with a missile which missed and passed overhead of the Neptune somewhere over northern Sea of Japan, from a person who said had directly involved in it. Now I made sense.
Please remember that air-to-air refueling is fundamental to U.S. Air Force operations -- all fighters and bombers MUST have it, and most transports as well. This includes the modified 747s the President uses.
![Lethal Company Music Video 🎵 "Follow The Orders" [VERSION A]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QeooZB4Z7RA/mqdefault.jpg)
This is the most comprehensive piece of media on the Su-15 I’ve ever seen… the jet is practically forgotten by everyone else
I'd say similarly forgotten as USAF bomber interceptors (eg Delta Dagger/Dart) as they had limited use after ICBM proliferation and functioned mostly as technology test subjects. Seems the Su-15 suffered similarly as American and GB interceptors for range, radar and missile limitations.
This is professional quality!
@@seapickles5762 never in my wildest dreams did I think my fav RUclips aviation channel would be the one to do a deep, credible, up-to-date English language video on this plane that’s fascinated me since I was a kid! Sometimes you really CAN have it all!
The F-106 served with the ANG until the late 1980s. They were very active and busy over the USA. They were replaced by F-16.
@@frankez99 Njaa.... I am afraid it may be BETTER than "professional".
Flagon was the first..."Oh hey, look! A civilian airliner!"
Those are worth the most points.
Easy pickings, Comrade!
@@ShortArmOfGodHero of Soviet Union for you, Comrade!
USN did too
@@andyf4292 uhhh, no.
As a South Korean, i feel a deep fear in genetic level whenever I see this aircraft.
They're only dangerous if you're flying in a high flying airliner. Lower flying aircraft (especially civil propeller driven aircraft like Cessnas) are relatively safe due to the Flagon's inability to shoot down lower flying aircraft and inability to do air combat maneuvering.
As an American Southerner, I would love to personally see an SU-15 up close, but would approach cautiously, observe quietly, and depart quickly.
Is that fear multiplied if you are aboard a Boeing?
Me too It's a very pretty aircraft.
@@epikmanthe3rdLOL. Su-15 behind the Boeing you are in. Those are slim odds.
I look forward to falling asleep to this in about an hour or so and then enjoying it again in full with my Saturday morning coffee. Cheers mate
Same, I love these videos but I always seem to fall asleep whilst watching them because I start them when I'm in bed or drowsy, I swear Not A Pound probably gets 3-4 views out of me per video lol.
All wonderfully well organised into playlists for convenience. High Quality. 👍
I'm not alone with this channel being ASMR? LOL I'm good for 2 views for this reason
Dude same, puts me right to bed. Go to work. Come home smoke a bowl and watch again fully. Best Friday ever
Just like Drachinifel ! He's absolutely not boring but has such a calm well measured speaking voice.
The only drawback is he dryly slips in a fair number of witty sarcasms that grab my attention, lol.
21:40 - "It turned out that although Factory 500 in Moscow could make the engines properly, Factory 26 in Ufa could not.
"In June 1969, PRESUMABLY AFTER A ROUND OF 7.62MM CALIBRE HR AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENTS, the Ufa factory did manage to produce engines that met the design specifications."
Heavens that was dark but it was also witty.
Interesting video on the Flagon. Didn't know much about it apart from it's homicidal tendencies against civilian airliners. Very interesting.
I just posted a similar comment.
This channel never fails to entertain 😂
In soviet russia, we take safety very seriously
Audits are conducted with body armor and a full combat load
Definitely failed the No-Airliner challenge, plus , supposedly, "maneuver-kill" against a cosmonaut
A Swedish Viggen got an unintentional maneuver kill on an Su-15 in the 80's
Fantastic!
Never heard of that!
@@christianpethukov8155 An armed Su-15 tried to follow a Swedish sea recon Viggen in a split S at low altitude. Bad idea !
@AdurianJ Oops. Thanks for letting me know!
I remember reading about this, thanks for reminding me
How about a video on the Tu 128 Fiddler interceptor..an absolute giant of a heavy fighter. Also a video on Mig 25 Foxbat operations in the Middle East would be great.
Yep the 128 and the 15 when viewed from above are perfection in aviation aesthetics
Would love to learn more about the Tu 128, especially from a NAPFATG perspective!
the problem with talking about the air war between the arabs and the israelis, is that they both keep lying 😭
@@1KosovoJeSrbija1 I AGREE WITH YOU 1000 PERCENT!!!!!!
The first two minutes of this were a fantastic hook. I appreciate that.
I love the Flagon - one of those weird mutants that can only exist in an isolated, resource-rich environment where the niches haven't yet been filled to capacity.
Basically it's the jet equivalent of a Moa.
Anyone else find it Ironic the Soviets thought the Korean Air 747 was a spy plane while Korean Air gave it the call sign 007......as in James Bond....the most famous spy,fictious or real
There was an RC135 not far from that 747.
@Max_Da_G i am aware of that
21:50 "...7.62 caliber... quality improvement..." quite possibly. 🙂
Love the title Psycho Killer ......are you a Talking Heads fan? Another great video 😊😊😊😊
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
Run run run run run, run run run away... OOOooooooo aaaaa eeeeee aaayyyyyyy!
@@morteforte7033 C'est une chanson. _Psycho Killer_ par Talking Heads.
Oh... perhaps you are quoting a favorite part of the lyric?
@@morteforte7033 UNREAL LOVE IT 😊😊😊😊😊
@@sergioleone3583LOVE IT MAN I FORGOT ABOUT THAT ONE😊😊😊
Su-15TM (and MiG-19`s) are my favorite , cold war era , Soviet aircraft, when Trumpeter released a 1:48 Su-15TM modelkit i was happy until i opened the box and saw that the Nose wasnt angled downwards slightly, but no Problem a modelmagazin came to help how to rebuilt the downward angle by scratch. Thx for the Flagon video
21:50 is probably the darkest double entendre you've put in a video yet.
I can think of a few places who could use such a effective HR department...
That intro had me rolling on the floor! "Yo, Flagon! Take care of dis guy! Make sure he sleeps with da fishes!"
5:00 Forgive my language. But GYATT
...erm, ..do you get a Yacht with that Gyatt , you know, a Gyatt Yacht ??
Got a sealed trumpeter model kit of this plane and then you drop this the next week 😂
The Su-15 was a notoriously difficult aircraft to fly, even the later variants with the cranked wing. As mentioned, the aircraft had a high takeoff and landing speed. This was compounded by the fact that as a tailed delta design it could not use the high angle of attack landing approaches used by pure delta aircraft like the Mirage III or F-106 due to the need to maintain airflow over the horizontal stabilators. Even if a high AoA approach had been aerodynamically feasible, the Flagon's long nose would have made it impractical due to visibility concerns. I've seen a few comparisons made where it is stated that the Flagon's western counterpart was the F-106 but that is not quite true. Even though the F-106 entered service earlier than the Flagon, it was still a better aircraft in terms of serviceability, reliability, and effectiveness in the intercept role. I've often thought that the only reason the Su-15 entered production at all given that the MiG-25 was a superior interceptor is simply as a "keep-busy" measure to keep the Sukhoi OKB open. The Flagon's only kills against live targets were scored against unarmed (and unaware) airliners - KAL flight 902 (a Boeing 707), an Argentine Canadair CL-44 propliner, and KAL flight 007 (a Boeing 747). It is questionable how well a Flagon would have done in intercepting/shooting down a B-52 given the B-52's ECM capability in the late 70's. All in all, the Flagon was a disappointment and I've read one Flagon pilot's interview where he said that being assigned to fly them was a sort of punishment - when one pilot told his relatives that he was assigned to fly the Flagon his father (who had flown MiG-15's and 17's during the 1950's) asked him who he had pissed off.
You named all bad things about flagon and not a single good one?
It is well known Interceptor for excellent rate of climb 230m/s and supersonic acceleration Surpassed only by MiG-25. With two R-98MR missiles was capable of 1.9 Mach and without armament 2.1 Mach. Also when engines are redlined (it have that Redline throttle stick ability like most of PVO strany interceptors) it was able to reach max speed of 2.5 mach in clean configuration.
Radar Taifun-M RP-26 have two separate working frequencies (it is a derivative of RP-25) and have a range of 70km which is a good performance at a time.
serviceability, reliability, and effectiveness in the intercept role between F-106 & Su-15TM... we can not compare this two because all available information are covered with propaganda fog of war ,where one side mock another side.
But Su-15 because of its acceleration (1/3 faster rate of climb - 230m/s vs 150m/s) will catch its target much faster than F-106, especially if we compare armament of
Su-15 with R-98MR/MT missile (23km range) with F-106 with unbelievable unreliable AIM-4F Falcon (9.7km range) !!!
@@svinche2You are ignoring the context, the Su15 was an interceptor that wasn’t as capable in the pure interceptor role as the MiG-25.
The comparison between F106 and Su15 is not the main point the person commenting was making, rather that the Flagon was simply considered a lesser jet in the Soviet inventory compared to its contemporaries.
Ergonomics matter more than you’d think lol, a pilot needs to be able to safely take off and land to get their flight hours in.
@@FishFlys Ignorant is you in this topic, because i read so many books about Su-15 and soviet jets from authors like Yefim Gordon and others. And all that Soviet Lesser jet is Invented by Western Propaganda outlets ! If this jet is in any way Lesser jet they will not built 1,290 pieces of it ! At first (before MiG-25 entered production) it is considered a elite PVO strany fighter jet ! Soviets didn't considered even obviously less capable Yak-28P lesser jet. And Su-15 production continued even after MiG-25 entered production told us that story, because Su-15 is much cheaper for production and exploitation. Only Su-9 is considered failed project and quickly updated in Su-11 version. Crampy not spacious cockpit, well all soviet jets have small cockpits but you should know that average height of soviet pilots are 1.65. They choose small bodied people for pilots !
@@svinche2 I never called the flagon “failed”.
I said, truthfully mind you, that it is objectively inferior to its contemporaries that the Soviets already had access to.
Your anecdotal evidence is worthless and adds nothing to the general context of the jet. It just wasn’t as good as the alternatives so it never saw much use.
Actualy plane was quite reliable. Landing speed was nothing new compared to contemporary 21 for example. Video is bit spiling bile on the plane like its some kind of serial killer not a machine. But I guess in current age its a norm on videos of this type.
Love the level of detail in your videos. It's just enough without getting into the "weeds" of too much information. Very well done.
“Airliner hate him, Find out how this Soviet interceptor shot down 3 airliners and go away with it”
Australian Flagon is a 2 litre plus bottle of wine 🍷
"presumably after 7.62 caliber HR and quality improvements" Few truly remember the USSR's brutality. Thanks for these.
That opening, now I am imagining every Flagon pilot flying with that Michael Myers Halloween theme blairing in their helmets.
I'm a believer.
'Flagon' all names given to Soviet types were for reporting purposes, F were for fighters, B for bombers (Bull, Bear, Bison), the name is simply from Webster's Dictionary and a noun in the entry and chosen so as not to be confused for any other word - Fishbed MiG 21, Foxbat MiG 23, Flagon SU 15. They rarely have any connection to the ability of the type.
But they absolutely did. They just happened to call the first common Soviet jet fighter the "MiG-15 Fagot" after an "easily kindled bundle of fuel for fire starting" from sheer coincidence? Bullshit. The first very high performance one that actually concerned them was the MiG-25, the "Foxbat". Then the first two really competitive designs were the "Fulcrum" and "Flanker", which just happened to more impressive sounding.
Code words are not _necessarily_ chosen for any specific reason, but they can be selected for memorability.
@@justforever96 Why did you post this ? It contradicts nothing I wrote. The NATO 'Reporting Name' system was adopted from the US system for naming Japanese aircraft types simply to differentiate between them.
What is the meaning of 'Foxbat' in relation to a Mach 3 interceptor apart from 'F' for fighter type? The definition of the word used is irrelevant and picked to avoid confusion with anything else. Fulcrum and Flagon are not descriptive either.
Stop using cuss words in discussion, it is a substitute for thinking things through.
We are still waiting for this plane to be added into War Thunder!!!
... surely it's too structurally weak & also too weak in interception capabilities for WT to be useful?
@razor1uk610 well that doesnt matter much to me, but i get your point
This plane would be a fine addition to War Thunder on the condition that Gaijin add high-altitude jet bombers like the big Boeings, V-Bombers, Tu-16, and so on. Tim’s Variety has made some good arguments about the changes needed to bomber play for air battles. Pure interceptors like the F-106, Flagon, Foxbat, Lightning F.3, F-89B, and frankly all the F-104s would finally have a viable playstyle!
@@razor1uk610 In War Thunder the Flagon would work out for zoom and boom types of flying.
@j.mangum7652 well it can do one or the other, oreasily overstress its 6.5Gmax and then perhaps loose a wing, or get itself attitude out of control past its limited control surfaces' areas & restricted elevon throw abilities to regain control.
For 007, articles and TV dramas spent years speculating on why the plane went off course, usually having it due to some technical problem as the pilots could not be at fault. Some surprise when the later release of the recovered FDR’s showed the pilots had simply forgotten to switch from Heading Mode to INS Mode after leaving Alaska.
Another conspiracy that may be true 🤔 did you know about the congressman that was on board?
21:56 "A round of 7.62mm HR quality improvements" Fantastic statement. HR and facisim haven't changed since.
Perun level side side remark
All of the NATO names come from lists of random words. For aircraft, their are one syllable word lists for propeller driven aircraft and two syllable word lists for jet powered aircraft. The SU-15 was a jet powered fighter, so it was assigned a name that started with 'F' and had two syllables [the TU-95 was a propeller driven bomber, so it got a one syllable name starting with 'B']. The names are assigned in their order on the list. Given the chronology of the MiG-15, MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-25, and MiG-29 (Fagot', Fishbed, Flogger, Foxbat, and Fulcrum) the list may be sorted alphabetically, but I could be wrong about that.
Seen and heard them scramble. Very impressive (and LOUD).
No photos of course, not in the USSR while waiting for our flight to depart somewhere in Siberia.
This channel has to be among the best of aviation channels on RUclips
There a lot of weirdness surrounding that downing of a civilian jet. The american spyliner that was flying almost parallel to it, it was also dark , missiles were fired beyond visual range (maybe?)
It was a mix of bad luck, aggravating tactics by a troublesome and elusive spy plane , initially lackluster response from the Soviets that soon became more frantic with ever increasing disregard for safety, less attention to detail/timee given to acquisition/confirmation of the target whilst getting pressure from upper echelon leadership demanding an end to the blatant intrussions into soviet airspace
I mean this was building and building into massive disaster
Excellent job, as usual. The Flagon is a bit of an obsession for me. I had a Ukrainian airframe Lidar scanned a few years ago, and have been working (off and on) on a CAD model. All complete except for cockpit and landing gear. Hope to sell it as either a 3d printed kit in 1/48, or as STL files. Thought I'd seen every photo ever published, but you found more. Psycho Killer, maybe I'll put that on the box art!
One of my favorite Cold War jets!
I had to put captions on to be sure of what I heard...
After a round of 7.62mm quality control improvements..."
Absolutely brutal commentary and darkly humorous.
I loved it. 😅
I can't understand how the Su-27 came out of the same design bureau as this atrocious (literally) piece of...
Have you seen the original Su-27? It’s not that unimaginable.
@chrismartin3197 t-10 seemed like a breakthrough even in it's original form, but t-10s is something stellar compared to something contemporary produced like MiG-23MLD.
Dude! This is a GREAT video of a pretty unique Cold War beast. Good stuff brother 👍
Hard to believe they still keep some in storage for emergency activation, though I doubt they'd get many (if any) to operational status should russia choose to do so. Not only would they have to find technicians that remember how to service them but also re-train pilots on 60s soviet hardware.
Makes one wonder just how much mothballed soviet aviation lies around. Has to be massive.
Nope, all scrapped. You'd see the ones intact only in Monino museum
@@thatdude3938 Really? That would admittedly make more sense but I read one (possibly two?) claims that less than 100 were in good condition. I'll have to double check that
@@thatdude3938 So I rechecked and it seems it was a "possible" mixup with Mig-29s? But honestly after I did some more serious searching on the web, I struggle to find anything concrete about ANY russian mothballed jets at all. Everything contradicts itself including the wiki. So if you are reading this, feel free to drop any juicy info you have on the status of russias mothballed airfleet
@@ThePilot4ever Anything older than 4th gen was scrapped a while ago. The oldest fighters around are vanilla Su-27 retained in some units. No vanilla MiG-29 or MiG-31 remains.
The status of mothballed reserves is unclear, but it is certain that it will not have anything 3rd gen at all. Some MiG-29 9.12 and MiG-31A were seen, but they were either being scrapped or en-route to upgrade
This is my favorite Cold War Soviet jet aircraft - note, I said “my favorite” and not “the best”. It has a particular retrofuture look that screams 1960’s, with heavy space-age influences. Was it objectively garbage? Well, yes. Unless making a rear-on interception against a non-maneuvering target, it was hopeless as a combat system. But man, those feets and speeds! Those sexy Jet Age lines! Those crimes of war! I always side with the freaks and mutants of a given field, and this thing was a little bit of both. RIP everyone whose life it ever claimed.
Nah, it looks like it was designed by a 12 year old. The Yak 28 is the droid you're looking for.
@@zacklewis342 taking nothing away from the Yak-28, which definitely also scratches my “freak and/or mutant” itch. Really, any fighter or light bomber made by a non-MiG OKB after about 1947 has a place in my heart.
*watching the production numbers on the aircraft slowly increase as the video goes on*
19:12 almost there
19:15 Nice.
Are you a 12-year-old?
Idea: Do a overview video on the Voyska PVO. I don't think many people outside hardcore Cold War nerds understand there were TWO Soviet air forces. (well, three, counting Naval Aviation, but you know what I mean)
Its a forgotten jet ! , i have never seen anything on this, you sir have excelled yourself again . splendid.
Much appreciated from india .
Жаль мало сказано было о системах автоматизированного управления и наведения перехватчиков, начиная с "Вихрь-1". Ведь самолет Су-15 являлся частью сложнейшего комплекса, в этом и стоит искать причины достоинств и недостатков этой, несомненно, контроверсивной машины.
Thank you OP. For the last 20 years since I developed a love for combat aviation, I’ve always had a fascination for this good looking and somewhat mysterious interceptor.
There is very little easily accessible English speaking information on the Flagon when compared to Foxbat and other more notable models
Fantastic video, you obviously put so much work into these - thanks!
Never heard of this jet…. she just kinda flew under the radar all these years, miraculously not going SPLAT, until now! Great video! Thanks.
That opening was Gold
I've been looking forward to you educating me on the SU fighters. GianLuigi... love it. As always, a great video. Please more on Sukhoi aircraft!
FINALLY A VIDEO ON THE SU-15! I LOVE YOU
Evidently lead poisoning via 7.62mm rounds worked as a potent quality control method.
Doesn't work for Boeing though
I’d love to see a video on the Su22Fitters. This channel is great
Also looking forward to Su-17/22 and the precursor Su-7 video(s). Those Cold War Sukhoi jets seemed to be quite prolific around the world but don't get as much exploration as MiGs.
@@NefariousKoel exactly
@@NefariousKoel Yes, YES, YES!!!! I 100% agree and would love to learn more about the Sukhoi jets, especially from a NAPFATG perspective. A wit worthy of Clive James.
Dude. I am. always impressed with your depth of the videos. Still outstanding work.
Have you done a video on the early F-16 Vipers? I recently found your channel and dont know much about the early years of 4th generation jets, and would love to learn about it all from you!
They're called Fighting Falcons.
They're called both
Like all the Sukhoi interceptors and fighters. I like how you can see the direct evolution from the Su-7 all the way into the Su-22 and Su-15.
When I was deployed to Kandahar and Kabul for the war we had access to the old Soviet aircraft and armor scrap heaps left behind from their war in Afghanistan. I SWEAR there was a dual engined Flagon-type aircraft amongst them.
I've seen articles on how the 747 was considered for several roles during the Cold War, such as a flying aircraft carrier and a cruise-missile-focused "bomber." Now I know why so few saw military usage: the Flagon was the kryptonite of jumbo jets!
There were certain angles in certain photos you showed where, from one third of the fuselage behind the wing root to the tip of the tail looked like the F-105 Thunderchief. I know it was a trick of the camera, but damn, looked just like it. Thanks for this long vid. I love Russian/Soviet aircraft. So exotic from the usual Western fair.
The one we’ve been waiting for!
Since your video on it the f106 has impressed me almost every day with how fast it was. It makes me wonder how fast a gripen could go with moving inlet ramps.
These Nato Codes for Soviet aircrafts are always so nice
How do you get so much insight into the internal machinations of the Soviet aerospace industry? That's really impressive.
Thanks for this NAPFATG! Been waiting for ages for someone to do an in depth review of the SU-15. Could you perhaps cover the TU-28/128 as i absolutely adore that big old fat bird! Quite interesting to compare VVS vs PVO aircraft and facilities of the same eras, what was the percentage of resources that each branch was allocated WRT airforce budgets? Anyhoo, keep up the awesome work comrade!
The psycho killer sat inside the cockpit, the Flagon was the gun...
Love your content man
ruclips.net/video/hdCVygC6Vis/видео.html
Great episode!
Still one of my favorite aircraft of all time, because of the way it looks.
Brilliant. Please follow up with more PVO interceptors!
Aside from the MiG-21, this era of Soviet interceptors and fighters all look like a nightmare to fly.
Very interesting video. I remember the 1986 KAL shoot down and ensuing outrage very well. I’ve also noticed that you used “RC One-Three-Five” when reading “RC-135”; in the USAF, however we say “RC One-Thirty-Five”.
Awww Man...love the intro!😊
Would love to see some videos on British air to air missiles such as the red top and fireflash
Essentially a long range SAM that had a human to navigate it to near its target
After hearing about this plane, I am surprised it is not already in War Thunder for one, and secondly, looking at it it reminds me of a hybrid of the J-7E and J-8, Im curious what perspective NaPfAtG has on those two. Great video as always.
Awesome video. More content on cold war Soviet aircraft please.
Great video - very interesting!
1:26 "he drives a Volvo sedan" well EXCUSE YOU
Engaging work as always, thank you.
Superb video!!
Yay, Friday evening so NAPFATG and because it's summer a bottle of sparkling shiraz. Yay. Life is good.
Thank you. The Sukoi teen series rarely gets the attention it deserves. That doesn't mean they were good mind you. I still believe the "hero fighters" of the USSR until the 70s were MiGs because of Artem Mikoyan's brother. Yeah I know "nepotism In the USSR? No way." It is note worthy that once he died in Dec 1970 SU quickly became the primary aircraft designer. The SU-24, 25, 27, etc. Meanwhile MiGs last big hits were the 29 and 31. The 29 has been over shadowed by the 27 and the 31 is a niche aircraft with "only" about 500 built.
During the Cold War, MiGs always seemed to do better than Sukhois in export. Of course there are various reasons for that
MiG aircraft outclassed competitors from Sukhoi all the way until Su-27, simple as that. In this example, Su-15 loses on all accounts against MiG-25 - except for price. Su-15 was just cheaper
Its interesting that it was always Korean airlines gatting lost and into trouble...
The shoot down of that turboprop near Iran also shows that back than the use of civilian marked aircraft for clandestine purposes was much more common.
When I was growing up I remember seeing these grainy black and white photos of Soviet jets like this, jets most Westerners would never get to see in person, and wonder about them. They always looked so low tech compared to equivalent role US or British or French aircraft. The more I learn about them, the more convinced I am that my instinct was correct. The Su-15 is not a bad-looking airplane from a distance, with its clean lines and all, but these photos of it up close reveal what looks to me like sloppy workmanship, and the reports of its shortcomings don't bode well for trying to defend against an actual USAF bomber raid.
I've always liked the looks of the Su-15. When I was a small kid in the 1950s and making drawings of airplanes was a major source of entertainment in those WAY pre-internet days, I often drew things that resembled this plane. That was just how I thought an interceptor of that era should look. But otherwise, as you describe, not really a lot of capability. Still, a good-looking airplane IMHO. Thanks for the video.
The best looking Soviet fighter, especially later with the cranked delta and ogival radome.
Greatest introduction ever!
This really was an interesting documentary
ruclips.net/video/hdCVygC6Vis/видео.html
7.62 quality improvements. Ouch!
Excellent. Nice one.
I see the evolution of design from Flagon to Vigilante to Foxbat to Eagle
Weird how every decade for the last.......70 Years we've been told that piloted aircraft are obsolete by one thing or another, and yet they persist.
Love the way it takes 40 minutes of setup to get to the story
Great video about an ugly plane. Thank you for making it, I would love to see one about the U-2.
I've found this Su to be a rather good looking if not beautiful bird.
@@sergioleone3583 I respect that.
For me the Su-15 and Tu-128 look too thin, like someone stretched them, the proportions are odd.
@@Genoan01 🍷
Eye of the beholder, for sure. I watch a car channel that has great history and a real good design breakdown, but I subjectively disagree with the fellow about rear fender skirts, I'm not for them. Some people love them.
Now, the Su-15 isn't a beauty like the F-86 (or the F-8 Crusader, also a favorite but less pleasing to the eye to some...) but not only is it a different type of aircraft, but it does catch my eye. Cheers!
Interesting take… I remember that shoot down like it was yesterday. That event gave real meaning to President Reagan’s description of the USSR as the “evil empire”.
To be fair, in the same era the US shot down an Iranian airliner.
@ One major difference: The Iranian airliner was misidentified in a war zone (though, it still should not have been). The Korean airliner was plainly identified….
@@68orangecrate26 ...identified as USAF RC-135 that was flying in the same area at the same time
Also, what exactly US combat ship was doing in Iranian territorial waters in 1988?
This certainly beats the USS Vincennes' destruction of Iran Air 655 for sheer malice.
Great wotk, as usual. Do the Fiddler!
Years ago I heard that a P2V was shot with a missile which missed and passed overhead of the Neptune somewhere over northern Sea of Japan, from a person who said had directly involved in it. Now I made sense.
Loved the video.
As for AAMs in US, UK and Soviet designs - all claimed in 1959 they were HITilles but all were USEless even by 1970.
Hell yeah!!!!! Many thanks for this.
Please remember that air-to-air refueling is fundamental to U.S. Air Force operations -- all fighters and bombers MUST have it, and most transports as well. This includes the modified 747s the President uses.
Love this plane