MiG-17 in Forney, TX

[CrewDawg]

On my way back from Barksdale AFB (see my previous post) I finally after 20 years took the time to stop and take pictures of this MiG-17 that has been sitting ouside of DeRidder's Antique's off of Hwy 80 in Forney Texas just east of Dallas. I have seen this thing sitting there forever and never stopped. I must be getting old and taking time to smell the MiG's (they don't smell as good as old American planes). Anyway, I have no idea why someone hasn't bought this thing and done something constructive with it. It still has an engine in it, but there's some major corrosion that I saw under the RH wing outboard of the gear.









Corrosion under wing












I'll be interested to see someone get this and at least use it for parts. I climbed up on the wing and from what I could see the cockpit still had the seat and some of the instruments in it. Surprisingly unmolested for as long as it's been sitting there, considering the school kids in the area

[CrewDawg]

It's in better shape than the last MiG I took a picture of!

[warbird1]

Anyway, I have no idea why someone hasn't bought this thing and done something constructive with it. It still has an engine in it, but there's some major corrosion that I saw under the RH wing outboard of the gear.

Maybe someone hasn't bought it, because it's not worth anything? Even Mig's in flying shape don't command that much money. Honestly, with the shape that thing is in, you would probably be lucky to get $ 5,000 for it. It only appears to be good for static or parts. I wonder if it would even survive being towed?

[retroaviation]

My guess (but it's only a guess) is that the owners think because it's an airplane, that it's worth $4.3 million or something. They'd probably never sell it anyway, but if you went up and offered them $5k for it, they'd likely run you off the property. Of course, I could be wrong...probably am. But I bet that thing will just sit there until it sinks even further in the ground than it has already. Darn shame.

Gary

[eagle21]

It has been out there a long time-at least 15 years maybe more. I joined the AIr Force in 1987, and it seems like it was there then, but that seems early for a MiG to be available in the states.

Anyway, it hasn't been moved an inch in at least the last ten years.

JMC

[CrewDawg]

Actually it looks like it's moved about 6 or 7 inches in the last several years - straight down! Don't have to worry about that one blowing away in a storm!
Just for grins I sent DeRidder Antiques and email via thier website inquiring about it. I'll let everyone know what, if anything, I hear from them.

[Chris]

If they ARE willing to sell, I'm interested. Just don't tell my wife.

[Rob Mears]

The lady that owns the store spotted the plane in a museum while visiting Norway, bought it, and had it shipped home to help pull the Interstate traffic off of the road and into her store. No doubt the plane has paid for itself many, many times over. She has no interest in selling because its dollar value is far less than its value as an attraction, even in its dilapidated state.

Even I took a browse through the antique store after stopping to inquire about the plane. There are a couple of other MiG-17's stored not far from Forney that are in better condition and could probably actually be had if someone wanted them bad enough. People might be suprised how many are actually stored away here and there around the country just waiting for their chance to emerge as a more desirable warbird type.

The saddest thing about this particular plane is that its the world's oldest surviving Polish MiG-17 (Lim-5). That probably only carries weight with the hardcore MiG enthusiast. A Russian or even a Chinese example of similar pedigree would no doubt draw more attention, but the Polish planes are by far the most prevalent breed found in the US. Hate to see them rot, regardless.

[tom d. friedman]

to bad the pics got wacked by photo bucket, i'd like to compare it to the mig 17 not even 3 miles from here that is in polish markings. owned by a dentist from parma ohio. it's stored at the wakeman airport.

[Dave Lindauer]

The MiG-17 is still languishing in front of the antiques warehouse in Forney, as before except for being more weatherbeaten. Pretty soon the original Polish markings are going to start showing through. It's a shame that she's not showing any signs of any attempts at preservation.

[robkamm]

i would like to know were you can get a mig for 5k.