MiG-17 (fighter)
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Taking advantage of combat experience in the Korean War with the MiG-15, and recognizing the factors that put the MiG-15 at a disadvantage with the U.S. F-86 Sabre, the Mikoyan and Gurevitch design bureau produced the MiG-17, NATO reporting name FRESCO. This second generation jet fighter aircraft looked superficially alike, but more sharply swept wings and an afterburner, making it faster and somewhat more maneuverable. It could hit Mach 1 in level flight. Its built-in weapons were not as heavy as those of the MiG-15, but with 3x23mm autocannon, faster firing. First deployed in small quantities in 1950, by 1955, there was an all-weather version with the first Soviet air-to-air missiles. While it was obsolescent by the Vietnam War, it could still be effective when flown by a skilled pilot. It had some ground attack capability. References |