Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-17F by AZ Model

1/72 scale
Kit No. AZ7332
Cost: $24.99
Decals: Four versions – for Egyptian, Syrian, Algerian and Israeli Air Forces
Comments: Engraved panel lines and recessed rivet detail; one-piece canopy; includes 400-liter drop tanks

History

Design of the MiG-17 began in 1949, and the prototype took flight even before the MiG-15 saw combat in the skies over Korea. Initially intended simply to improve on the MiG-15’s deficiencies, development work was focused on overcoming the earlier type’s poor handling at high speed. The result was a completely revised design with longer wings of increased sweep and a taller tail, also with a greater sweep.  The prototype first flew in 1950 and production of the type began in August 1951. NATO would select the code name “Fresco-A” for the new fighter. Deliveries began in 1952 but were too late to take part in the Korean War, and in any event the early MiG-17’s offered only marginal improvement over the MiG-15’s performance.

The F model which is the subject of this kit (NATO code name: “Fresco – C”) had an afterburning engine, developed from the Rolls-Royce Nene engine that had powered the MiG-15. This was the first major improvement over the MiG-15, so much so that production of the F began in early 1953 while manufacture of the MiG-15 was ordered stopped. The MiG-17 could carry no more fuel internally than the MiG-15, but its afterburning engine demanded more fuel, consequently MiG-17’s were rarely seen without two 400 liter/88 gallon drop tanks.

The majority of MiG-17’s manufactured were F models, with the only other version produced in quantity being the night and all weather fighters developed from the unsuccessful MiG-17P. The first was the MiG-17PF (NATO codename: “Fresco-D”) which was equipped with search radar. In 1956 the MiG-17PFU became the first missile-armed fighter in Soviet Service, when it was equipped with AA-1 “Alkali” missiles instead of guns. These early missiles had to be guided to the target by a radar beam.

The MiG-17 was built in Russia for only five years, during which 6,000 aircraft were produced — 5,000 of them MiG-17F’s. It was one of the most numerous fighters in Soviet service well into the 1960’s. Production was also undertaken in Poland and China, who between them were responsible for another 3,000 aircraft, including a dedicated Polish ground attack version dubbed the LIM-5M. China’s license-built MiG-17, the J-5, was manufactured well into the 1970’s.  MiG-17’s also saw action in the Congo and the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1070), and were also fielded by Egypt, Syria and Algeria in the Middle East.  The type quickly developed a reputation for ruggedness and ease of maintenance, which combined with its agility and hard-hitting firepower, even against more advanced supersonic fighters, kept the MiG-17 in demand as an export for several years.

The Air War in Vietnam

MiG-17’s are best known for their service with North Vietnam, where they frequently saw action against American aircraft from 1965-1973. In Vietnam, the lighter and more agile gun-equipped MiG-17 shattered the idea that supersonic aircraft would easily achieve air superiority.  It could out-turn nearly any aircraft in the American inventory and its guns proved more reliable than missiles in air-to-air combat, particularly at close range.  F-4 Phantom and F-105 Thud pilots often used speed and guile to their advantage to defeat the MiG-17, but with its cannon armament the MiG could unleash a nasty surprise if Vietnamese pilots were able to lure the Americans into a traditional turning dogfight.

The MiG-17’s influence resulted in the next generation of American fighters (F-14, F-15, F-16 on up to the F-18) all being gun-equipped and considerably more maneuverable, and led to an overhaul of U.S. fighter design and tactics, led by an insubordinate but brilliant aviator, Major John Boyd, among others. Although eclipsed by earlier and later MiG designs, the MiG-17 had a major ripple effect and proved to be one of the outstanding fighters of the 20th Century.

The Kit

AZ Models’ MiG-17F is injection molded in grey and consists of 59 parts, including a one-piece canopy. The kit features no locator pins, so modelers will have to be on their toes when it comes to aligning parts. The cockpit features exceptionally well detailed main and side instrument panels with both engraved and recessed facets, and a six-part ejection seat.  The jet intake features a realistic intake splitter, and the characteristic wing fences are molded as an integral part of each upper wing, with recessed rivet detail painstakingly recreated along the edge of each fence where it was mated to the wing on the actual aircraft.

North Vietnamese MiG-17 aces Le Hai and Luu Huy Chao, credited with six victories each, are lauded in a contemporary Vietnamese newspaper article. Their success underscored the deadliness of the MiG-17 in the hands of the right pilot.

The main armament of two 23mm cannon and a 37mm cannon are represented by individual fairings from which gun barrels protrude; care will have to be taken with these parts to align them properly, as well as in the selection of the proper glue or adhesive; anything that will smudge or smear the fuselage should be avoided, particularly with small parts of this type. Step 5 of the instructions, at which the gun fairings are cemented to the fuselage, could offer more detailed guidance on their precise placement, but the view of the MiG-17’s belly in the four-view schematic at the end of the instructions provides additional help.

The landing gear are very well detailed, as are the drop tanks which feature heavy engraved panel lines. The underside of the upper wings features raised detail for the main gear wheel wells, sufficient to provide a boxed-in look. A schematic is provided to help with proper alignment of the landing gear, drop tanks, as well as the proper angle for the single antenna on the starboard side of the fuselage just aft of the cockpit. While the clear canopy is a single piece, the instructions invite modelers to contemplate an open cockpit by cutting the windscreen clear of the rest of the canopy — something that probably only experienced modelers would attempt.

There is no schematic drawing in the instructions to help with decal placement, regardless of the version you choose to build – for that, the color illustrations for each of the four versions on the rear of the box serve as a useful guide. The instructions conclude with a four-view drawing of the MiG-17, sans markings or stencils.

Markings

While the choice of foreign markings is definitely intriguing, with the Syrian and Algerian examples being perhaps the most attractive, aftermarket decals are strongly recommended for this kit. The decals provided have a decidedly flat sheen, and their edges appear to indicate they are the type to give modelers a problem with silvering upon application. In addition, the colors for the Syrian and Algerian markings does not quite ring true. That said, if you proceed to use them, liberal amounts of solvent may be needed.

Markings are provided for four versions: An Egyptian MiG-17F of No. 18 Squadron, El-Arish, appearing in overall natural metal and a checked red-and-white rudder during the 1967 Six-Day War; second, a Syrian MiG-17F of No. 8 Squadron also in overall natural metal and also during the 1967 Six-Day War; third, a MiG-17F of the Algerian Air Force in a scheme of Hemp upper surfaces over aluminum; and fourth, a captured Mig-17F in Israeli markings and painted in a camouflage scheme of Olive Drab and Light Tan over Light Blue, with a red rudder.

Conclusion

This is a highly detailed kit of the MiG-15’s successor. While it has no locator pins, there are tabs on the interior of the fuselage and wings that could interfere with cementing some parts into place, so these should be cut off. Overall the kit is crisply molded and has a very minor amount of flash. Highly recommended.

Reference

• A Handbook of Fighter Aircraft by Francis Crosby of the Imperial War Museum Duxford; Copyright 2002 Anness Publishing Limited, London.

A MiG-17 on display at Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, California.