Better Late Than Never

Even with over 10 F-47Ns destroyed in 1953-55, thanks to the superior quality of the CAF pilot, the Thud operated highly successfully as an interim fighter until 1957. During the islet battles off coast of Zhejiang, a F-47N from the 5th FG damaged a MiG-15 over the Taiwan Straight, and set up an unique world record by being the first jet shot by a piston-engined fighter.

In mid-May, 1953, the entire strength of the 26th FS, 25 F-47Ns and 3 AT-6s, moved to Songshan air base in Taipei in order to minimize the target course. For weeks, combat for Dachen consisted of many quiet, scoreless patrol missions and fighter sweeps. At 0848 of July 25, Capt. Luo (羅輔傑) and Lt. Tian (田熙三) flew a combat mission cross the Taiwan Straight. At 1106 on their way back, a pair of MiG-15s unprecedented appeared over the south-east coast and chased them down over Sanmen Bay. Luo (s/n 241) ordered Tian (s/n 321) split into dive, so Tian lost contact with the leader, with both MiGs on his tail. Keeping the enemies in sight, he headed for the ground and making rough turns until downed to 500 ft. Thus Tian made the enemy missed him six times.

Estimating the MiG's next assault moment, Tian planned a suicidal collision. As the leading chaser popped out, the stunned MiG pilot mistakenly flew into Tian's K-14 gun sight. Despite the leaking oil on the wind shield, he fired a burst with eight .50 calibres and hit the MiG, the bullets tore the MiG pilot's right leg open. The MiG pulled up and fled away. The other chaser renewed three more loose attacks, then gave up.

Fighting with two jets for 20 minutes, the lone Thud build up speed and returned, until the safer area was reached after 40 minutes. By using his radio compass, Tian headed southward for home. In the end, his signal was picked up by an AT-6 who was searching for him. Setting up a world record for 5 hours and 7 minutes in a Thud, Tian's F-47N landed safely at Songshan with empty fuel tanks.