COBI Building Set VW MIG-17 Nato Code "Fresco" (COBI-2424)

Construction kit of the North Vietnamese fighter aircraft MIG-17 with NATO code name Fresco. The assembled model has a removable cockpit cover for easy installation of the pilot figure. The model can stand on its own undercarriage or on the included stand with description. Due to the construction of the model, the undercarriage legs are not retractable but can be easily removed. It also includes an image of the VPAF pilot.

Number of figures: 1 pc
Scale: 1:32
Dimensions when assembled: 30 x 36 x 11 cm
Box dimensions (packaging): 45 x 28 x 6 cm
Number of bricks: 577 pcs
Recommended age: 7+
Package weight: 850 g
Bricks can be combined with another well-known brand: Yes
Contains glowing bricks: No
Material: Plastic
Collection: Vietnam War

Interesting facts:
» The design of the MIG-17 is based on its successful predecessor MIG-15, but the wing design was significantly redesigned.
» The result is a heavily armed fighter capable of flying in all weather conditions.
» Although the Klimov VK-1 engine was identical to the MIG-15 engine, there was one significant change. For the first time, an afterburner function was used on a Russian engine.
» However, the first prototype was not without problems. Already in February 1950, Soviet pilot Ivan Ivaščenko exceeded a speed of 1114 km/h on the SI-01 prototype, but in another flight, the aircraft fatally failed, and the test pilot perished. 
» Without properly investigating the cause of the tragedy, the command decided to start serial production under the pressure of a new generation of American jet aircraft.
» Eventually, the MIG-17 became a very successful aircraft, which was armed by all Warsaw Pact countries.
» Several countries still fly MIG-17 aircraft today, such as Angola, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania, and North Korea.
» With the arrival of American supersonic bombers B-58 and FB-111, the MIG-17 became obsolete and was gradually replaced by the MIG-21, but that is another story.
» The first pilot of the North Vietnamese People's Forces was a defector from the Laotian Royal Air Force who defected with a Trojan T-28 training aircraft.
» Before the first deliveries of Mig 17 aircraft from the Soviet Union, the Viet Cong used many curious aircraft for air attacks, such as the AN-2 biplane nicknamed Andula.
» On January 12, 1968, the North Vietnamese attempted to attack an American base using two armed but outdated AN-2 aircraft. The attack was thwarted by a UH-1 Huey helicopter patrolling over the base. The skirmish ended with both AN-2 aircraft colliding after wild maneuvering, causing incredible astonishment to the crew of the patrolling helicopter. American military intelligence spent several weeks determining whether it was indeed an attack or a suicidal provocation intended to demonstrate the determination of the North Vietnamese.

Technical specifications:
Dimensions: wingspan 9.628 m, length 11.36 m, height 3.8 m
Weight: 3,950 kg
Maximum takeoff weight: 5,354 kg
Powerplant: Klimow WK-1F Turbojet with thrust of 26.48 kN (33.15 kN with afterburner)
Maximum speed: 1,145 km/h
Climb time: 5 minutes and 48 seconds to an altitude of 10,000 m
Maximum flight altitude: 16,600 m
Range: 1,255 km
Fuel tank capacity: 1,415 l
Armament: N-37D 37 mm cannon (40 rounds) + 2x NR-23 23 mm cannon (2x80 rounds) and up to 500 kg of guided or unguided missiles
Crew: 1