Mikoyan MIG 17F 1211 (G-MIGG)

 

Wing span : 31 ft 7 ins / 9.63 m
Length : 36 ft 11 ins / 11.26 m
Max weight : 13,380 lbs / 6069 kg
Service ceiling : 44,460 ft / 16,600 m
Max speed : 684 mph / 1100 kmh
Engine : 5,730 lb thrust Klimov VK-1F turbojet
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Russia's first successful jet fighter was the MiG-15, and following its success the Mikoyan-Gurevich factory developed the improved MiG-17, first flying in 1950. Of similar shape to the earlier fighter, the MiG-17's uprated turbojet engine improved its performance. It is estimated that over 8,000 were built over the next ten years, the aircraft serving in fighter and ground attack roles. The new fighter received the NATO code name "Fresco", and at the time little was known in the west about any of the MiG's. Improved versions were developed, and the MiG-lTF's (NATO code "Fresco C") Klimov engine was fitted with a simple, but effective afterburner to enhance its performance still further.

MiG-17's were supplied to the Warsaw Pact counties in Eastern Europe, where they were considered obsolete by the mid 1960's. It was also used by many other communist countries around the world, those in use by North Vietnam giving a good account of themselves during the Vietnam War against superior American fighters. In Russian service, they were replaced by MiG-17's and MiG-21's by the 1960's, but continued in use with many of the Warsaw Pact counties until the mid 1980's. Large scale production of the MiG-17 was also undertaken by China, Czechoslovakia and Poland.

1211 was one of around a thousand MiG-17's produced in Poland by the PZL factory, where the MiG-lTF was known as the LiM-5. After serving in its fighter role, it was then used for training until the 1980's. After a period of storage, it was purchased for preservation and flown to Duxford in September 1995. Later painted in North Vietnamese markings, it remained on display at the Duxford Air Museum. Following purchase by its present owner, 1211 moved by road to Bournemouth Museum in February 2002. In January 2003 it was registered as G-MIGG on the British civil register, and full restoration to flying condition commenced in the spring.