Apparently, the T-34 and KV tanks were the first samples of Soviet armored vehicles that the Americans could get acquainted with in detail. As part of allied relations, combat vehicles were sent to the United States for inspection and testing in the fall of 1942. The tanks arrived at the Aberdeen Proving Ground (Maryland) on November 26, 1942. Their trials began on November 29, 1942, and continued until September (T-34 tank) and November 1943 (KV-1 tank).
On the whole, Soviet tanks made a favorable impression on American specialists. However, along with such advantages as simplicity of design, "good and light diesel engine", good armor protection for that time, reliable armament and wide tracks, numerous disadvantages were noted.
Tank T-34 parked in Aberdeen
With an almost ideal form of the T-34 tank hull in terms of projectile resistance, its main drawbacks, according to the Americans, were the tightness of the fighting compartment and the extremely unsuccessful design of the air filter of the V-2 engine. Due to poor air purification, after overcoming 343 km, the tank's engine failed and could not be repaired. A lot of dust was crammed into the engine and the pistons and cylinders were destroyed.
The main drawback of the hull was recognized as the water permeability of both its lower part when overcoming water obstacles, and the upper part during rain. In heavy rain, a lot of water flowed into the tank through the cracks, which could lead to the failure of electrical equipment and ammunition.
The transmissions on both tanks were found to be unsuccessful. During the tests on the KV tank, the teeth on all gears were completely crumbled. Both motors have poor electric starters - low-power and unreliable designs.
KV tank parked in Aberdeen
The armament of the Soviet tanks was considered satisfactory. The 76 mm F-34 cannon in terms of its armor penetration characteristics is equivalent to the American 75 mm M3 L / 37, 5 tank gun. The gun was effective against German light and medium tanks (except for the latest modifications of the PzKpfw IV) and generally fully met the requirements of the time.
The suspension on the T-34 tank was considered bad, the Americans had by that time rejected the Christie suspension as outdated. At the same time, the suspension of the KB (torsion bar) tank was recognized as successful and promising.
It was noted that both tanks were made very roughly, the machining of equipment parts and parts, with rare exceptions, was very poor, which affected reliability. At the same time, the KV tank was made of better quality compared to the T-34.
At the end of 1943, the Allies asked to provide them with a 57-mm anti-tank gun ZIS-2 for testing.
It turned out that the main characteristics of the Soviet gun are superior to the British and American 57-mm anti-tank guns.
The British 6-pounder Mk. II cannon was 100 kg heavier than the Soviet one, with a significantly lower muzzle velocity and a lighter projectile. The American 57mm M1 cannon was a modification of the British 6-pounder cannon and was even heavier due to the longer barrel. The muzzle velocity of the American gun increased slightly, but still remained significantly lower than that of the Soviet one. The Soviet weapon, when compared with its counterparts, has a very high metal utilization rate, which indicates its design perfection. In addition, unlike foreign guns, the ZIS-2 is a duplex - a 76-mm ZIS-3 divisional gun was produced on its carriage. The release of two guns, using one carriage, greatly simplified and reduced the cost of production.
The first Soviet jet fighter that fell into the hands of the Americans was the Yak-23. After the severance of relations with the USSR, it was handed over to the United States by the Yugoslav leadership in exchange for American military assistance. In Yugoslavia, this fighter was hijacked from Romania by a defector pilot.
Yak-23 on trials in the USA
The Americans rated the jet Yak low. After tests that took place at the end of 1953, it was recognized that the aircraft - as clearly outdated - was of little interest. The onboard equipment was primitive by American standards. At a speed of more than 600 km / h, the aircraft lost track stability, and therefore a speed limit was set at M = 0.8. The advantages of the aircraft were taken-off qualities, good acceleration characteristics, and high rate of climb.
By that time, the Yak-23 was no longer the last achievement of the Soviet aircraft industry, and the Americans knew this.
The next time, the former allies had a chance to get to know Soviet weapons closely during the armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula. Soviet medium tanks T-34-85, which North Koreans used on a large scale at the initial stage of the war, shocked the American and South Korean infantry.
Nevertheless, thanks to the complete domination of the aviation of the "UN forces" at the initial stage of the war and the not always correct use of tanks by the North Koreans, the Americans soon managed to equalize the situation at the front. The very poor training of North Korean tank crews also played a role.
Several captured serviceable T-34-85s were tested by American specialists. During the tests, it turned out that this was not the same tank as in 1942. The reliability and build quality of the car has improved significantly. A number of innovations have appeared that improve combat and operational characteristics. Most importantly, the tank received a new, more spacious and better protected turret with a powerful 85 mm gun.
Comparing the T-34-85 with the M4A1E4 Sherman tank, the Americans came to the conclusion that the guns of both tanks can equally successfully penetrate the opponent's frontal armor. The T-34-85 outnumbered its enemy in the mass of a high-explosive fragmentation projectile, which made it possible to more effectively support its infantry and fight against field fortifications.
With about the same armor as the T-34-85, the Sherman surpassed it in accuracy and rate of fire. But the main advantage of the American crews over the Korean and Chinese tankers was the higher level of training.
In addition to tanks, the Americans got a lot of other Soviet-made weapons as trophies. American servicemen highly appreciated the Soviet PPSh-41 and PPS-43 submachine guns, sniper rifles, DP-27 light machine guns, SG-43 heavy-caliber DShK, 120-mm mortars, 76-mm ZIS-3 and 122-mm guns howitzers M-30.
Of interest are the cases of the use of captured GAZ-51 trucks. The Americans, who captured it in Korea, made "gantrucks" and even autocarts on its base.
GAZ-51N, captured by the Americans and turned into a railroad car
Another unpleasant surprise for the Americans was the Soviet MiG-15 jet fighter. It was he who became the "stumbling block" on the path of American aviation to air supremacy in the skies of Korea.
The MiG-15 fighter during the Korean War was the main enemy of the American F-86 Saber
The American pilots themselves considered the jet MiG, with proper pilot training, very formidable opponents and called it the "red emperor". MiG-15 and F-86 had approximately the same flight characteristics. The Soviet fighter had an advantage in vertical maneuverability and armament power, inferior to the Saber in avionics and horizontal maneuverability.
During the Korean War, the United States repeatedly tried to capture a serviceable MiG-15 for review, announcing in April 1953 a reward of $ 100,000 to the pilot who would provide this aircraft to the US Air Force. Only after the end of hostilities, in September 1953, the North Korean pilot No Geumseok hijacked the MiG-15 to South Korea.
The aircraft was flown to the United States and tested by the renowned American test pilot Chuck Yeager. The aircraft is currently in the National Air Force Museum located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio.
Former North Korean MiG-15 at USAF Museum
At the beginning of the 60s, the Soviet Union began to carry out large-scale deliveries of the most modern military equipment and weapons at that time to Arab countries that were in a state of permanent war with Israel.
The Arabs, in turn, regularly supplied the “potential enemy” with samples of this technique.
As a result of an Israeli intelligence operation, Iraqi Air Force captain Monir Radfa hijacked the latest MiG-21 F-13 front-line fighter to Israel on August 16, 1966. After Israeli pilots flew it for about 100 hours during test flights, the plane was transferred to the United States.
Test flights on the MiG-21 in the United States began in February 1968 in an atmosphere of extreme secrecy at Groom Lake airbase.
Soon, the Americans received from Israel a pair of MiG-17F fighters, which on August 12, 1968, due to a "navigation error", landed at the Israeli Betset airfield.
The tests of the MiG-17F at that time for the Americans were even more relevant than the more modern MiG-21. In time they coincided with the escalation of hostilities in Vietnam, where the MiG-17F at that time was the main enemy in the air.
During the "six-day war" of 1967, on the Sinai Peninsula alone, the Egyptians threw 291 T-54 tanks, 82 - T-55, 251 - T-34, 72 heavy IS-3M tanks, 29 amphibious PT-76 tanks and 51 self-propelled artillery mount SU-100, a significant number of other armored vehicles and artillery.
Transportation of captured equipment on railway platforms. The ZIL-157 is clearly visible in the foreground.
Much of this technique has been repaired and adapted to Israeli standards and subsequently used by the IDF.
During the Israeli offensive, MiG-21 fighters and Su-7B fighter-bombers were captured at Egyptian airfields.
During the "Yom Kippur War" in 1973, Israel's trophies totaled about 550 T-54/55/62 to be restored. Subsequently, these tanks were modernized and re-equipped with British 105mm L7 guns and were in service in Israel for a long time. For repair and maintenance, spare parts were removed from captured vehicles, partly produced in Israel, partly purchased in Finland.
"Tiran-5" - modernized T-55
On the basis of the chassis and hull of the T-54/55 tank with the turret removed in 1987, the Akhzarit armored personnel carrier was created.
BTR "Akhzarit"
The security of the machine in comparison with the base sample has increased significantly. The armor protection of the hull is additionally reinforced with overhead perforated steel sheets with carbon fibers, and a set of dynamic protection is also installed.
In addition to armored vehicles, Soviet-made radar and air defense systems became the trophies of the Israelis, which was much more sensitive.
Captured radar P-12, in the background TZM SAM S-125 with SAM
Naturally, the United States, as the main ally of the State of Israel, had the opportunity to get acquainted in detail with all the samples of Soviet equipment and weapons of interest.
In mid-1972, the 57th Fighter Wing, also known as the Aggressors, was formed at Nellis Air Force Base in the United States. Soon, the composition of this unit was replenished with MiGs received from Indonesia, in which a new government came to power, which curtailed friendly relations with the USSR.
All Indonesian MiGs were unfit for flight, and American engineers had to engage in "cannibalism", assembling from several machines one suitable for flight. In 1972-1973, it was possible to bring one MiG-17PF, two MiG-17F and two MiG-21F-13 to flight condition.
Operation of the MiG-17F in the US Air Force continued until 1982, the ex-Indonesian MiG-21F-13 flew until 1987. They were replaced by F-7B fighters purchased from China through a front company, which, in turn, were a clone of the Soviet MiG-21.
After the coming to power of Anwar Sadat and the conclusion of the Camp David Agreement in Egypt, there was a change in political orientation. The place of the main ally was taken by the United States. In exchange for the supply of weapons, the Americans were given the opportunity to study all the military equipment supplied from the USSR.
Moreover, sixteen MiG-21MF, two MiG-21U, two Su-20, six MiG-23MS, six MiG-23BN and two Mi-8 helicopters were sent to the United States.
The MiG-23 was of particular interest to the Americans. During test flights and training battles, several 23 were lost.
Which, however, is not surprising, this machine was considered very "strict" and "capricious" in the Soviet Air Force. The MiG-23 demanded a respectful approach, did not forgive mistakes and a superficial attitude in the process of preparing for flights.
On September 6, 1976, as a result of the betrayal of the senior lieutenant of the Soviet Air Force Viktor Belenko, a MiG-25P fighter-interceptor landed at the Hakodate airport (Hokkaido island).
Subsequently, the Japanese authorities issued an official notification that Belenko had applied for political asylum. On September 9, he was taken to the United States.
The initial inspection of the aircraft was carried out in Hakodate, but it was clear that it would not be possible to examine the MiG-25 in detail at a civilian airport. It was decided to transport the aircraft to the Hyakari military airbase, located 80 km from Tokyo. For this, the American heavy transport C-5A was used. The wings, keels, tail unit were undocked from the plane, the engines were removed.
On the night of September 24, under the escort of 14 Phantoms and Starfighters of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, Galaxy flew with a precious cargo from a civilian airfield to a military one.
The aircraft was disassembled, subjected to detailed study by Japanese and American specialists, and returned to the USSR on November 15, 1976.
Two months of studying the aircraft showed how much the West was mistaken in assessing its capabilities, technical characteristics and design features. Almost all experts agreed that the MiG-25 is the most advanced interceptor fighter in the world. The distinctive features of which are simplicity of design, its strength, reliability, ease of maintenance and the availability of piloting the aircraft for intermediate pilots.
Despite the fact that the proportion of titanium parts in the aircraft design was not large (in the West it was believed that the aircraft was entirely built of titanium alloys), its characteristics were quite high. Radar MiG-25P, made on obsolete, according to American "experts" vacuum tubes, had excellent characteristics.
Although the aircraft's electronic equipment was considered rather primitive, at the same time it was noted that it was made at a good functional level, at least not inferior to the best Western systems developed at the same time as the MiG-25 equipment.
The Soviet Union suffered significant moral and financial losses as a result of the hijacking of an aircraft to Japan. Over the next two years, it was necessary to modernize the electronic equipment on all MiG-25 aircraft. However, these changes were already planned earlier, Belenko's betrayal only accelerated them. On all aircraft of the Air Force, changes were made to the "state identification system". The hijacking of the MiG-25 was not the first and not the last time when MiGs flew away at the behest of pilots piloting them to a potential enemy. But a Soviet pilot hijacked a plane for the first time.
The story of the MiG-25 in the United States did not end there. This aircraft, capable of flying on "supersonic" for a long time, was still of great interest to the American special services. Moreover, in the 90s, Iraqi reconnaissance aircraft MiG-25RB repeatedly flew with impunity over Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The American F-15 and F-16 fighters were unable to interfere with these flights.
During the invasion of Iraq in July 2003, the Americans found several MiG-25RB and MiG-25RBSh covered with sand at the Iraqi airbase Al-Takkadum.
At least one MiG-25 was delivered to the American Wright-Patterson airbase. After being examined, the aircraft was transferred to the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton.
