What was air battle in Vietnam war?

Answer 1

While US aircraft struck targets in Laos, Cambodia, South Vietnam and North Vietnam; the North Vietnamese Air Force fought strictly in the skies over their homeland...North Vietnam. The NVAF possibly never numbered more than 200 MiGs at any one given time and consisted primarily of Soviet built MiG-17s and MiG-21s; later they received the MiG-19s (CHICOM J6 versions) from Red China.

North Vietnamese pilots preferred the MiG17 because it was reliable, simple to operate, and armed with cannons. They also liked the MiG21, because it was the only jet they had that could attack (for the North Vietnamese) "the hated" B-52 bombers. One MiG21 claimed shooting down a B52 with an air to air missile during the Christmas bombing campaign (Linebacker II) in 1972; the USAF disagreed with that aerial victory and states that the Stratofortress was shot down by a SAM (Surface to Air Missile).

Although the MiG19 entered their inventory in about 1969, it didn't catch on with too much popularity, mostly because the MiG19 (J6 version CHICOM) had dual (twin) engines; much like the US F4 Phantom II does. This may have complicated things, thrust ratios, power coordinating, fuel consumption, maintenance, etc.

There were several North Vietnamese Aces, and two US Aces (5 or more aerial kills). There are no records of Northern pilots ever engaging Southern pilots in aerial combat (dog-fighting).

Answer 2

USN airmen claimed 61 NVAF MiG kills, the USAF claimed the same number. This would include the F4 Phantom II aces Ritchie & Cunningham & two B52 Stratofortress bomber tail gunners. Both of their B52s have been preserved as memorials. The two "ace" F4s may have been destroyed over the skies of North Vietnam. Note: The Viet War was the last war in which (bomber) tail gunners shot down airplanes.