Oregon Air and Space Museum
photo credit: Legends Over Madera
The MiG-17 was designed in 1949 as a successor to the MiG-15, and first flew in January, 1950. Production began in 1951and lasted until 1959. It was also built in Poland, Czecholovakia, and China. Well over 5000 were produced, at least 1000 in China were designated J-5's. It is a single seat single engine fighter, and was used by over 20 countries. The MiG-17 was code named "Fresco" by NATO, and was flown extensively in the Vietnam War. It entered service too late for use in Korea. All fuel is carried in the fuselage in tanks behind the cockpit and on both sides of the engine/afterburner assembly.
The museum's MiG-17 is actually a Shenyang J-5 license built in China, and was acquired by Bill Reeseman of Aurora, Oregon in 1992. Bill flew it in his spectacular "MiG Magic" airshow routine. In March 1. 1994, Bill was testing a newly installed engine over Aurora Airport, when a fuel line ruptured during a fuel afterburner climb. In spite of a severe fire, Bill elected not to eject, and brought the MiG down to safe but hurried landing.
MiG- 17 Specifications:
Span.....................................30 ft 10 inches
Length..................................36 ft 5 inches
Empty Weight......................8665 Ibs
Max Weight..........................13,400 Ibs
Cruise Speed........................550 mph
Max Speed.............................715 mph
Stall (No Flaps)......................186 mph
Landing Speed......................106 mph
Range.....................................600 miles
Range (W/Drop tanks)..........1000 miles
Ceiling....................................49,500 ft
Ceiling W/Afterburner..........54,000 ft
Climb.................................... 12,800 ft/Min