The Mig-17 is a significantly enhanced version of the MiG-15.  Changes include an increase in wing sweep and other aerodynamic changes, as well as a more powerful engine, the first Soviet engine to use an afterburner.  Production of the MiG-17 was begun in 1953 and a total of 10,824 were built in Russia, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and China.  The MiG-17 was the primary fighter used by North Vietnam against the United States.  It proved to be highly maneuverable and the fact that it was equipped with guns gave it a significant advantage over the missile-armed F-4 Phantom in close range combat.  The Lim-5 is the Polish built version of the Fresco.  A total of 222 were built between 1957 and 1960.  They were primarily intended for close air support of ground troops.

Service History

This aircraft’s Polish service history is only partially known.  Built between 1957 and 1960, by 1964 it was serving with an advanced training unit at Modlin Airbase.  This unit provided advanced combat instruction for experienced pilots.  By 1974, it was with the 58^th Combat Training Regiment.  In May 1980, it was delivered to the 38^th Combat Training Regiment and was retired from that unit in May 1987.

The aircraft was acquired by the U.S. Air Force in 1988 and flown by civilian contractors for research projects conducted by the Defense Test and Evaluation Support Agency at Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Apparently retired to storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona around 1990.

July 1992                     Loaned to the Pima Air & Space Museum by the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Manufacturer
MiG

Markings
Democratic Republic of Vietnam Air Force, circa 1968

Designation
MiG-17F

Serial Number
1C-1905