Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>MIG-15>HA5910

General Background

The Soviet built Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 (Fresco) was initially called the MiG-15bis+45° and completed its maiden flight on January 13, 1950 and entered service in 1952. There were five variants of the MiG-17 with the MiG-17F (Fresco C) becoming the main variant. The new Klimov VK-1F engine was the first Soviet built engine with an afterburner and variable nozzle. The installation of this new engine gave the MiG-17F double the rate of climb of previous variants and greatly improved vertical maneuvers. This aircraft lacked radar and was purely a day-time fighter.

The Aircraft

In 1972 the area of Dong Hoi was being bombarded by U.S. ships sitting off shore in the Gulf of Tonkin. MiG-17Fs # 2047 and 2011 from the 923rd Fighter Regiment were modified to carry bombs to attack and destroy the U.S. ships. On April 19, 1972 MiG-17s from the 923rd “Yen The” led by Nguyen Van Bay (B) and Le Xuan Di attacked using 500 pound bombs. The USS Higbee received a hit on the rear turret while the cruiser USS Oklahoma City received minor damage.

Specifications :

Number All MiG-17 Manufactured:	8,000+ in USSR and 3,000+ licensed (Shenyang J-5/F-5/JJ -5/FT-5, Avia S-104, PZL Lim-5/6)
Crew:	1
Performance
Engine:	1 X Klimov VK-1F Afterburning Turbojet
Thrust Dry:	5,955 lbf (26.5kN)
Thrust With Afterburner:	7,423 lbf (33.8 kN)
Maximum Speed @ 10.000 ft (3,000 m):	711 mph (1,145 km/h / 618 knots / Mach 0.968)
Service Ceiling :	54,450 ft (16,600 m)
Rate Of Climb:	12,800 ft/min (65 m/sec)
Range With Drop Tanks:	1,280 mi (2,060 km)
Weight
Empty:	8,640 lb (3,919 kg)
Loaded:	11,770 lb (5,350 kg)
Max Takeoff:	13, 375 lb (6,069 kg)
Dimensions
Wing Span:	31 ft 7 in (9.63 m)
Length:	36 ft 11.5 in (11.26 m)
Height:	12 ft 5.5 in (3.80 m)
Armament:	1 X 37 mm Nudelman N-37 Cannon w/ 40 Rounds
	2 X 23 mm Nudelman-Rilhter NR-23 Cannons w/80 Rounds Per Gun
	2 X External Pylons
	Up To 1,100 lbs – Bombs, Unguided Rockets, Fuel Tanks