Our Aircraft’s History

PZL-Mielec Lim-6bis “Fresco” (C/N 1J-04-19; S/N 419) ~ Our Fresco was originally built as a Lim-6 at the PZL (Panstwowe Zaklady Lotnicze)-Zakland nr 1 (State Aviation Works, No. 1 plant), Mielic, Poland in March, 1961. The Lim-6 was a Polish built aircraft based on the MiG-17 design.

Note: WSK was used in Poland as their aerospace manufacturing and the branding of their aircraft from post-WWII to the late 1950’s when they started using the PZL name again.

Due to engine issues, delivery to the military was delayed, as it was upgraded to a Lim-6bis.  Eventually, she was delivered to the Polish Air Force on April 8, 1963. 

Here are some of our Fresco’s history:

  • April 1963 – assigned to 51 PLM-SZ (51st Fighter/Ground Attack Aviation Regiment) in Pila Air Base, Poland
  • June 22, 1988 – withdrawn from service and placed in storage at the Bydgoszcz Airfielf, Bydgoszcz, Poland
  • August 1991 – salvaged from Modlin Air Base in Warsaw, Poland and then purchased by a private collector and imported to the United States
  • February 1992 – sold to Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation (MARC), Chino, California
  • May 22, 1992 – placed on loan to MAPS Air Museum from MARC for restoration 
  • July 1994 – donated to MAPS by MARC (This is the first aircraft to become the sole property of MAPS)

The Fresco has been with MAPS Air Museum for over 2 decades and is currently maintained by Crew Chief Tony Bistransky.

Museum display note: the “Fresco” is marked/painted with the Polish Air Force checkerboard insignia used on their aircraft from 1921-1993 with fall camouflage markings. 

Specifications/Performance

  • Role: Fighter/ground attack
  • National Origin: Poland (via manufacturing contract from Soviet Union)
  • Manufacturer: PZL-Mielec (via manufacturing contract from Mikoyan-Gurevich)
  • Introduction: 1956
  • Status: Retired (1992)
  • Built: 1,569
  • Produced: 1965-1984
  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 37 ft 3 in
  • Wingspan: 31 ft 7 in
  • Height: 12 ft 6 in
  • Empty Weight: 9,416 lb
  • Max takeoff weight: 14,665 lb
  • Engine: 1 x Lis-5 centrifugal-flow turbojet, 7,400 lbf
  • Max speed: 710 mph
  • Range: 580 mi
  • Service ceiling: 54,010 ft

Armament, notable

  • 1 x 37 mm N-37D cannon (40 rounds)
  • 2 x 23 mm NR-23 cannon (80 rounds each)
  • 1,719.61 lbs of bombs, rocket launchers or napalm tanks

 

 

Replaced: PZL-Mielec SD LIM-2 Midget (MiG-15 design)

Developed from: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 “Fresco”

Intended replacement: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 “Fishbed” variants