715 MPH OF LIVING HISTORY
Fast. Nimble. Formidable.
Made famous in the skies over Vietnam, the MiG-17F became one of the most recognizable enemy fighters encountered by American aircrews during the Vietnam War. U.S. aircraft including the A-4 Skyhawk, F-8 Crusader, F-105 Thunderchief and F-4 Phantom II faced the MiG-17 in some of the era’s most intense aerial engagements.
Built for maneuverability, the MiG-17F was an exceptionally tight-turning fighter. Its VK-1F afterburning jet engine helped propel it to speeds of up to 715 mph, while its remarkable climb performance could take it to 30,000 feet in just three minutes.
Its firepower was equally impressive. The MiG-17F carried two 23mm cannons and one massive 37mm cannon in its lower nose, along with the capability to carry bombs, rockets or additional fuel tanks beneath its wings.
The MiG-17F #1611 entered service in 1960 and remained in military service until 1990. After nearly four years of restoration, Randy Ball’s MiG-17F is now one of only a handful of these vintage jets flying the North American air show circuit.
With its authentic paint scheme, incredible maneuverability and unmistakable afterburner, the MiG-17F brings the sights, speed and sound of Cold War-era jet aviation directly in front of the crowd.
Experience the MiG-17F at the 2026 Florida International Air Show.
About Randy W. Ball
Randy W. Ball is North America’s PREMIER Jet Demonstration Pilot. Randy has performed well over 1,500 performances to date! No other North American Jet Demo pilot even comes close to that number of performances. In fact, Randy is the only Jet Demo pilot (military or civilian) to be granted both a day and night unlimited aerobatic rating in jet fighters by the FAA. He has flown over 44 different types of aircraft, manufactured in nine countries.
As a youngster Randy’s father took him flying occasionally, and he spent countless hours with one of his heroes, his Great Uncle Gilbert Ball, who flew 56 missions over Europe flying the B-17 Flying Fortress. Even before college, Randy knew he wanted to fly. By the time he was 13 years old, he had already taken off and landed a plane with his father and soloed at the age of 18. Randy volunteered to work in his first air show in 1982 and flew in his first air show more than 30 years ago. He continues to be North American Airshow circuit’s #1 and easily the most internationally recognized Jet Demonstration Pilot! Randy continues to be featured in dozens and dozens of magazines around the world and often can be seen on television. He has one of the highest followings in social media of any performer globally and his videos from Airshow performances are each seen internationally by hundreds of thousands of people.
