The Shenyang J-5 (NATO reporting name Fresco) is a Chinese-built single-seat jet interceptor and fighter aircraft, licensed version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17. The J-5 was exported as the F-5 and was originally designated Dongfeng-101 (East Wind-101) and also Type 56 before being designated J-5 in 1964.

The MiG-17 was license-built in China and Poland into the 1960s. The People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) obtained a number of Soviet-built MiG-17 Fresco-A day fighters, designated J-4 in the early 1950s. To introduce modern production methods to Chinese industry the PLAAF obtained plans for the MiG-17F Fresco-C day fighter in 1955, along with two completed pattern aircraft, 15 knockdown kits, and parts for ten aircraft. The first Chinese-built MiG-17F, (serialed Zhong 0101), produced by the Shenyang factory, performed its initial flight on July 19th, 1956, with test pilot Wu Keming at the controls.

Plans were obtained in 1961 for the MiG-17PF interceptor and production began, as the J-5A (F-5A), shortly afterwards. At this time the Sino-Soviet split occurred, causing much disruption to industrial and technical projects, so the first J-5A did not fly until 1964, when the type was already obsolete. A total of 767 J-5s and J-5As had been built when production ended in 1969.

The Chinese also built a two-seat trainer version of the MiG-17, designated the Chengdu JJ-5 (Jianjiji Jiaolianji - Fighter Trainer - FT-5), from 1968, by combining the two-seat cockpit of the MiG-15UTI, the VK-1A engine of the J-5, and the fuselage of the J-5A. All internal armament was deleted and a single Nudelman-Richter NR-23 23 mm cannon was carried in a ventral pack. Production of the JJ-5 reached 1,061 when production ceased in 1986, with the type exported to a number of countries.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a North Vietnamese Air Force Shenyang J-5 (MiG 17F) "Fresco C" fighter that was piloted by Nguyen van Bay, and attached to the 923 IAP "Yen The" during 1972. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 5-1/4-inches
Length: 6-1/4-inches

Release Date: April 2023

Historical Account: "Tally Ho" - Nguyen Van Bay (1936 - September 22nd, 2019), was a Vietnamese jet fighter ace for the Vietnam People's Air Force (North Vietnamese Air Force) during the Vietnam War. Piloting a MiG-17F while assigned to the 923rd Fighter Regiment, Bay claimed seven aerial combat victories while engaged against aircraft of the USAF and USN: two F-8s, one F-4B, one A-4C and one F-105D. Of the seven claimed kills, five are acknowledged by American records. Of 16 VPAF (North Vietnamese) aces during Vietnam War, only Bay, Luu Huy Chao, and Le Hai solely flew MiG-17s.

Van Bay began his combat aviation career with the 910th Air Training Regiment in Vietnam in 1959, and started MiG-17 training in China in the early 1960s. Bay returned to Vietnam for combat duty with the 921st Fighter Regiment, but scored his first aerial victory with the 923rd Fighter Regiment in April 1966 during the early part of the U.S.-involved Vietnam War; Bay was awarded the coveted Hero of the Vietnamese People's Armed Forces medal on January 1st, 1967.

It is a common misconception that this Nguyen Van Bay was the pilot who attacked the USS Oklahoma City on April 19th, 1972. Rather, it was a different Nguyen Van Bay, or Bay B, who was downed and killed in Thanh Hoa province on May 6th the same year.

In 1971, Bay B and his fellow pilot Le Xuan Di were trained in anti-ship warfare by a Cuban advisor. On April 19th, 1972, the two men from the 923rd Fighter Regiment flew their MiG-17s, each armed with two 250 kg bombs, towards the open sea in what was known as the Battle of Dong Hoi Le Xuan Di headed his aircraft for the US destroyer USS Higbee, whilst Nguyen Van Bay struck for the US Navy light cruiser USS Oklahoma City, which had been shelling targets in Vinh City. Bay's two bombs caused only slight damage to the Oklahoma City, as they may have been "near misses", while Di was able to score a direct hit on the destroyer Higbee's aft 5-inch (127 mm) gun turret with one of his two 250 kg bombs. This was the first successful air strike made by an enemy jet fighter bomber on a US Navy warship while actively engaged in combat.

The USS Sterett, providing escort for the damaged warship, reportedly destroyed an enemy MiG interceptor. Following the initial attack, the USS Sterett deployed her RIM-2 Terrier missiles and destroyed an SS-N-2 "Styx" surface to surface missile in mid flight. The missiles were thought to have been launched from North Vietnamese patrol boats.