Volume 43- No. 13
March 29, 2012
by Frank Lorey III As part of the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, a group of five pilots and crewmen got together to discuss aspects of fighting the war in Korea in the air. Gathered together were three fighter pilots, representing both jet and prop planes used, a bomber gunner, and a transport pilot. Bud Mahurin was already one of the top American aces of World War II, having flown P-51 Mustangs with the 56th Fighter Group in Europe, before flying the F86 Sabre in Korea. He gained another three and a half victories against Migs before getting shot down and becoming a POW. “I was with the 51st Fighter Wing, on what was supposed to be temporary duty of 90 days,” Mahurin recalled. His wing commander was another top ace from World War II— Francis Gabreski. Mahurin felt that the tactics used in Korea were much like the last war, with the F-86 serving as a barrier between the Migs and the more vulnerable F-84 Thunderstreak, much like the Mustang served as a barrier between the enemy and American bombers. One large difference was evident in the enemy tactics, as Mahurin remembered that North Korea’s “air war was actually controlled from the ground—an air controller—so there was a lack of initiative for the North Korean pilots. F86 pilots thought it was like ‘duck soup’ to go against Migs. They were so controlled they were relatively easy pickings.” The Paper - 760.747.7119
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The Sabres would go up in groups of 24-36 jets, head for the Yalu River, and watch for the Migs. “The Migs actually flew better, they were faster and more maneuverable,” Mahurin said, adding, “pilot ability was the difference.” Many times they chased Migs to the Manchurian border, and then had to turn back. Mahurin also stated that he “was shot down everywhere I went.” His experience as a POW was miserable, and he
mentioned that “fortunately only a few had to experience it first hand.” Mahurin spent 16 months in solitary confinement. On a later tour of Korea, he got to see the same buildings at the 38th Parallel where negotiations had gone on during the war. They are still being used occasionally for the same purpose. Mahurin felt the Sabre was “the finest airplane I’ve flown,
it was beautiful.” He said the Mig-15 was “well constructed, a good flying machine, and very durable.” For a Sabre pilot, it was “a lot to handle, and I should know—I tried many times to pop a few.” Dick Pegg also flew the F-86 Sabre in Korea, but had most of his experience there in the F-84 Thunderstreak. He joined the Air Force in 1949, and had just finished basic training when Korea started. He was sent to Williams Field
“The Air War in Korea” Continued on Page 2