The Polish Fundacja Eskadra / Squadron Foundation have announced that they have acquired a Lim-5 ( MiG-17) and will soon begin its restoration to an airworthy condition.

The Polish Fundacja Eskadra / Squadron Foundation which already owns Europe's only airworthy single-seat Lim-2 (Mig-15bis) as well as the double-seat SBLim-2 (Mig-15UTI) have now acquired yet another rare aircraft a Lim-5 ( MiG-17).

The aircraft in question is the 1958-built Lim-5 construction number 1C1211 which currently carries the colours of the North Vietnamese Air Force. In the coming weeks, the aircraft will be transported from the North Weald Airfield in England to Warsaw Modlin Airport in Poland where the restoration to flying condition will begin. During the restoration, the aircraft will receive its original Polish Air Force markings and when completed this will be Europe's only airworthy Mig-17. The team is expecting 1211 to perform its debut display during the 2025 display season.

Official statement:

Lim-5 (MiG-17) 1C1211 returns to Poland!

The Eskadra Foundation is honored to provide patronage to the campaign to bring back and rebuild another gem of Polish military aviation - the Lim-5 is returning to the country! The plane was purchased by FUBAR Aviation SP z o.o. and will be brought to Poland in the coming weeks. We anticipate that the process of verification, reconstruction and reclassification to a special category will take 12 to 18 months. We intend to present the 1211 in flight during the 2025 show season.

More news soon! Please contact us if you are interested in supporting this project!

The Polish-built MiG-17s were known as the Lim-5, which loosely translates as 'Licence built aircraft No.5'. Made famous by the Vietnam War, the MiG-17F was the primary enemy aircraft engaged in the skies over Vietnam by U.S. aircraft, such as the A-4,A-7, F-8, B-52, F-100, F-105 and its primary nemesis, the F-4 Phantom II.

During that war and up until the F-16 entered service, it was the tightest-turning fighter in the world. When production started in the 1950s, its VK-1F engine made it one of the first production jet fighters in the world with an afterburner. The MiG-17F could carry bombs, rockets, or extra fuel tanks under its wings.

In its lower nose, it carried some of the largest guns ever used for air-to-air combat—two 23mm cannons and one 37mm cannon.

The MiG-17F can maintain 8g turns (8g = 8 times the force of gravity on the pilot’s body), attain a maximum speed of 715 mph (Mach 1.04) and can climb to 30,000 feet in only 3 minutes, with an initial rate of climb better than 14,000 feet per minute.

The MiG-17F was a very nimble fighter that could prove deadly unless respected when engaged by pilots with superior training and tactics such as those used by the U.S. Navy and Air Force. One moment’s complacency when fighting against the MiG-17F could prove fatal. It was flown by over 20 countries, one of which (North Korea) still fly it.