USS Intrepid
MiG-17
Building upon the Korean War (1950–53) success of the Soviet MiG-15, the single-seat MiG-17 (1950) fighter had thinner wings that were more sharply swept back, a longer fuselage with a somewhat redesigned tail, and an afterburner on the Klimov VK-1 engine, all of which enabled greater speed up to 711 mph (1,144 kph) and improved handling characteristics. Variants of the MiG-17 served in approximately 30 air forces worldwide. More than 6,000 examples were fabricated by the Soviet Union alone until production ended in 1958.
The MiG-17’s maneuverability and cannon-armament proved legendary in dogfights of the Vietnam War (1964–75). It could out-maneuver American missiles and out-fly larger, faster American jet fighters. Four North Vietnamese pilots became aces flying the MiG-17.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) gave the code name “Fresco” to the MiG-17, but the North Vietnamese called the unpainted ones “Silver Swallows” and camouflaged ones “Snakes.” This Polish-built aircraft is painted as a camouflaged example in the North Vietnamese Air Force.
USS Intrepid
MiG-17
Building upon the Korean War (1950–53) success of the Soviet MiG-15, the single-seat MiG-17 (1950) fighter had thinner wings that were more sharply swept back, a longer fuselage with a somewhat redesigned tail, and an afterburner on the Klimov VK-1 engine, all of which enabled greater speed up to 711 mph (1,144 kph) and improved handling characteristics. Variants of the MiG-17 served in approximately 30 air forces worldwide. More than 6,000 examples were fabricated by the Soviet Union alone until production ended in 1958.
The MiG-17’s maneuverability and cannon-armament proved legendary in dogfights of the Vietnam War (1964–75). It could out-maneuver American missiles and out-fly larger, faster American jet fighters. Four North Vietnamese pilots became aces flying the MiG-17.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) gave the code name “Fresco” to the MiG-17, but the North Vietnamese called the unpainted ones “Silver Swallows” and camouflaged ones “Snakes.” This Polish-built aircraft is painted as a camouflaged example in the North Vietnamese Air Force.