Hobby Master 1/72 MIG-17F Fresco C 3020, flown by Le Hai, 923rd 'Yeh The' Fighter Rgt., 14 June 1968

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.

MiG-17F (Shenyang J-5) 3020 was used by the Le Hai of the Vietnam People’s Air Force from the 923 rd “Yeh The” Fighter Regiment. On June 14, 1968 Luu Huy Chao and Le Hai departed Tho Xuan to intercept 6 F-4s. When the Americans were spotted Le Hai attacked while Luu Huy Chao covered him. By the end of the encounter Le Hai had claimed 2 victories which the USAF records don’t show. MiG-17F 3020 was also piloted by Nguyen Van Bay the Younger who was shot down May 6, 1972.

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