Attack Hobby Kits 1/144 MiG-17PF Kit First Look

By Michael Benolkin

First Look

With the huge success of the MiG-15, the MiG OKB added an improved engine and aerodynamics to the aircraft to create the MiG-17. This aircraft turned out to be quite the dogfighter in the right hands as aircrews over Vietnam and the Middle East would learn.

While the MiG-15 and MiG-17 provided excellent air superiority capabilities to the tactical air forces, the air defense forces (PVO) needed a capable interceptor as well. To meet this requirement, the improved MiG-17F (F designates an afterburner) was equipped with an intercept radar mounted in a small radome in the middle of the engine inlet. This version, designated MiG-17PF (P designates interceptor) could find a target in night or bad weather (to some extent anyway) and close within guns range. Later in its life, the aircraft was armed with the first Soviet air-to-air missiles that NATO designated AA-1 Alkalai.

The Attack Hobby Kits' 1/144 MiG-17PF kit is molded in light gray styrene and features some beautifully cast details throughout the kit. While not a complex kit, it will become quickly obvious just how much detail is present once the completed model has been weathered.

The kit provides a set of external fuel tanks for underwing stores but no missiles.

Despite its petite scale though, this kit features some nice details that will look great after assembly. This should be quick and painless with the majority of time will be spent cleaning up the tree attachment points, and these are minimal.

Markings are provided for five examples:

• MiG-17PF, IW-13, Czechoslovakian Air Force
• MiG-17PF, 17, Soviet Air Force
• MiG-17PF, 850, East German Air Force
• MiG-17PF, 609, Polish Air Force
• MiG-17PF, 452, Iraqi Air Force

This is a nice little kit that will go together quickly. By the way, did you notice the retail price from Hobbyshop.cz? You can't beat these prices. Recommended!

My sincere thanks to Hobbyshop.cz for this review sample!