Story and photos by Scott Jankowski
AirVenture 2023 featured several different variants of the Russian Aircraft Company, more commonly known as Mikoyan or “Mig”. The Moscow based Aerospace and Defense manufacturer was founded 83 years ago in December 1939 and has produced such famous aircraft as the MIG-15,17,19,21,23,25,27,29,31, and the 35. These aircraft have been and will continue to be a staple of the former Soviet and Russian Air Forces, as well as many others around the world. In 2006 Mikoyan became a division of the United Aircraft Corporation in a merger with Ilyushin, Irkut, Sukhoi, Tupolev, and Yakovlev. AirVenture 2023 featured several different Mikoyan products including four different MIG-17 Fresco’s, a
The first MIG-17, NATO code name Fresco was N6953X, a 1962 vintage and license built PZL-Mielec LIM-6BIS. Production of these Polish built aircraft commenced in 1963 and entered service with the Polish Air Force in 1964. The single seat LIM-6BIS is powered by a single Lis-5 centrifugal-flow turbojet engine with an afterburner giving the aircraft a top speed of 710 miles per hour. This MIG-17 is owned by Tumbling Goose LLC of Milan MI.
The second MIG-17 is also a Polish license built 1960 PZL-Mielec LIM-5, N1726M. This aircraft is flown by William Culberson from Mobile AL. This 63-year-old MIG is powered by a single Klimov VK-1F afterburning engine.
The third MIG-17, registered N1713P which is also a 1960 Polish built LIM-5. This MIG is part of the Red Star Aero Services LLC fleet and based down in Mobile AL. They have flown this aircraft since 2017 and is a AirVenture regular attender.
The final MIG-17, registered NX217SH also a LIM-5 is no stranger to the Oshkosh skies. This 1960 vintage MIG is flown by Airshow Performer Randy Ball and is an annual feature in the airshows. This specific aircraft saw front line service with the Polish Asir Force and was retired in 1990. Over twenty nations once flew the MIG-17, with three still flying it today. When Randy is not flying the MIG in airshows he flies Mitsubishi CRJ-200’s for the nearby Appleton WI based Air Wisconsin.
One of the highlights of AirVenture 2023 was N23UB, a 1981 vintage MIG-23UB Flogger C/N 1038107, flown by Daniel Flier. The MIG-23 is a variable geometry fighter bomber and first flew in 1967 and was introduced into service in 1970. A total of 5,047 MIG-23’s of all types were produced when production ended in 1985. The MIG-23 is powered by a single Khatchaturov R-35-300 afterburning turbojet engine which gives the aircraft a top speed of 1,553 miles per hour. The MIG-23 was the first Soviet Fighter to carry a look down/shoot down radar and be able to launch BVR (Beyond Visual Range) Missiles. N23UB was based in Florida and was the only civilian owned and operated MIG-23 in the world. Tragically this aircraft would be lost a few weeks later (with no loss of life) at the Thunder Over Michigan Airshow.
Our final MIG of AirVenture 2023 was N29UB, A 1989 built MIG-29UB Fulcrum owned by Jared “Rook” Isaacman. This MIG-29, C/N 50903014896, last saw service with the Ukrainian Air Force as a trainer and was put up for sale in 2005. When this MIG was acquired by Isaacman it only had a total of 570 hours on the airframe. The MIG-29 first flew in 1977 and entered service in 1983 and is powered by a pair of Klimov RD-33 afterburning turbojet engines giving the aircraft a top speed of 1,520 miles per hour. This makes this aircraft the fastest civilian owned aircraft in the world. This MIG-29 also arrived with several L-39’s and Alpha Jets.
AirVenture 2023 always brings together a very unique selection of aircraft, this collection of MIG’s was very unique to say the least and historic. Very few airshows can bring together a similar group of vintage and modern MIG’s like Oshkosh can. Look for further AirVenture coverage to come. Until next time, “Blue Skies To All!”
