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 daytime fighter.

The Aircraft

In 1972 the area of Dong Hoi was being bombarded by U.S. ships sitting offshore in the Gulf of Tonkin. MiG-17Fs # 2047 and 2011 from the 923rd Fighter Regiment were modified to carry bombs to attack and destroy 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