Hobbycraft's 1/32 scale
MiG-17F

by Scott Jeffery

MiG-17F

Hobbycraft's 1/32 scale MiG-17F is available online from Squadron 
 

The MiG-17 was designed to rectify some of the MiG-15s unsatisfactory high speed handling characteristics.  The fuselage was lengthened and a new compound “sickle” wing with no less than three wing fences was added to help with high speed stability.  Later, an improved engine with afterburner was added to make the MiG-17F.

The MiG-17 served with at least 22 different Air Forces around the world and was valued for its ruggedness, simplicity, outstanding dogfight maneuverability, and the hitting power of its cannon armament.  It gained its greatest fame in the skies over Vietnam where it was opposed by more sophisticated supersonic American aircraft.  As the war went on, the North Vietnamese were able to coordinate MiG-17s with supersonic MiG-21s, SAMs, and antiaircraft guns into a formidable air defense system. 

The MiG-17 was typically used at low altitude to engage bomb laden fighter bombers as they popped up for bombing runs or as they recovered from their dives.  If threatened, MiG-17s would often form a defensive circle to cover each others’ vulnerable rear quadrants.  If any American aircraft attacked a MiG in the circle, the other MiGs could use their maneuverability to break across the circle and attack the American fighter.

This kit is the Hobbycraft copy of the Trumpeter MiG-17 kit in 1/32 scale.  I basically worked on it for two years, on and off, before completing it.  The kit required A LOT of tender loving care, with many inaccuracies needing to be corrected.  Once completed, however, it makes an impressive model that will look great next to my new F-105!  Some of the items that were scratch built included: 

• ejection seat head rest (I adapted a MiG-15 seat, the Cutting Edge seat was unavailable at that time)

• ventral strake was added

• tail warning radar and position light were added

• pitot tubes were fabricated from pins and brass tube

• canopy rear view mirror

• cannon barrels made from brass and aluminum tube

• landing light using a MV lense and Eduard photo etch

• trim tabs

• flare launcher

• drop tank pylons

• position lights on the wing tips

Additionally, a number of aftermarket products were used in construction of the kit.  Do not attempt to build this kit without the Eduard photo etch set (#32-051) or the Squadron crystal clear canopy (for the MiG-15).  These sets replace some of the components that were pretty sad.  Other aftermarket items included: 

Various decals from Eagle Strike’s Fresco collection #32019 and Trumpeter BORT numbers

Cutting Edge intake splitter (this is also HEAVY…keeps the kit from being a tail   sitter, but fill in the landing light) #32052

Cutting Edge wheels #32036

Cutting Edge cockpit set #32101 (this is the actual MiG-17 set with the KK-2 seat)

Problem Areas

Some of the panel lines on the right side of the tail were wrong, these were filled and re-scribed. 

The engine is a VK-1 from an early MiG-17A or a MiG-15.  The VK-1F from the MiG-17F has an afterburner that swells the combustion chamber noticeably. Don’t use the engine.   

Additionally, the engine exhaust nozzle is incorrect, use the Eduard set to make one.  

The location holes for the drop tanks are grossly out of position and are splayed out (pigeon toed). They need to be relocated approximately in line with the center wing fences. 

The radio antennae on the right side of the fuselage is in the wrong place….drill a new locating hole. 

The wing fences are way too thick, sand them down. 

The airbrake hydraulic actuators attach to the fuselage in the wrong place.  New holes were drilled.

• AIR WAR OVER NORTH VIETNAM- The Vietnamese People’s Air Force 1949-1977

• MiG-17 In Action

• MiG-17 and Mig-19 Units of the Vietnam War

Model. Images and Text Copyright © 2005 by Scott Jeffery
Page Created 16 February, 2005
Last Updated 16 February, 2005

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