Słupsk 2024-08-24
WSK PZL Lim-5.
In 1956, the Polish Fighter Aviation had: 541 fighters. All aircraft were turbojet powered; MiG-15, MiG-15bis, Lim-1, Lim-2 and MiG-17 PF. In 1956, we bought 4 MiG-17 F aircraft from CCCP, two of which served as a model for serial production at PZL WSK-Mielec.
In 1955, a decision was made to start serial production of MiG-17 fighters at the WSK PZL Mielec factory. Initially, the Soviets agreed to produce the MiG-17 F version, without a radar sight. The version with a radar sight came in 1959. At the beginning of 1956, preparations for the production of MiG-17 F aircraft began at WSK Mielec, under the designation Lim-5.
The first Lim-5 with the factory number 1C 00-01 left the factory hall in Mielec on May 25, 1956, i.e. at a time when production of the ordered Lim-2 aircraft was still underway. The Lim-5 aircraft belonged to a trial batch consisting of three aircraft with numbers from 1C 00-01 to 1C 00-03. The aircraft were subjected to factory and military tests. On November 28, 1956, the aircraft were handed over to the army and relocated to the airport in Bemowo. This was five days after the delivery of the last Lim-2 fighter to the army. The first Lim-5 aircraft with numbers 1C 00-01 became the aircraft of the commander of the air force. Years later, it was sent to Dęblin as a teaching aid.
The airport in Bemowo (Babice) became a place for training Polish pilots for Lim-5 aircraft. The next Lim-5 aircraft were delivered from the factory as early as 1957. One aircraft went to Dęblin. Also one to the Technical Institute, for further flight tests.
In the spring of 1957, Lim-5 production was already well underway. Subsequent aircraft were delivered directly to combat regiments. In total, throughout 1957, the army received 73 Lim-5 fighters from the factory in Mielec. Adding to this the 4 MiG-17 F and 12 MiG-17 PF aircraft previously imported from CCCP. In total, there were 84 units. By the end of 1957, 222 Lim-5 fighters had left the assembly line in Mielec.
From 8 February 1957 to 19 April 1957, the first model of the second production series, 1C 02-01, underwent tests. This model did not yet have the SRD-1 M radio-range finder, due to delivery delays from CCCP. The aircraft was also 130 kg heavier than the Soviet model, presumably because the Polish aircraft had already incorporated further changes. This machine was not handed over to the military, but served as a model for serial production. In March 1958, the aircraft was handed over to the Institute of Aviation. At the Bemowo airport in Warsaw. The aircraft passed all tests. The tests were completed in December 1959. Later, on this model, the AFA-39 device was mounted under the middle part of the fuselage, thus creating the Lim-5 R aircraft.
The production of the Lim-5 aircraft was completed on June 30, 1960, after 477 units had been built, of which 120 fighters from the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th series were delivered to the GDR. There were 19 production series in total. The last one produced on June 30, 1960, the Lim-5 bears the designation 1C 19-14. The main production lasted 44 months, and the average production rate was 11 aircraft per month. It should be emphasized that the factory had good control over the production of the aircraft and the good level of workmanship of all units.
The delivery of new aircraft to combat regiments resulted in the rotation of aircraft. The MiG-15, MiG-15 bis, Lim-1 and Lim-2 aircraft were gradually transferred to the attack aviation. This continued gradually from 1957 to 1960. The last two assault regiments from Mirosławiec and Inowrocław received jet aircraft in 1960. This was the end of the era of piston aircraft in attack aviation.
Application of Lim-5 aircraft.
By 1960, about 357 Lim-5 aircraft were used by Polish fighter regiments. This aircraft became the basic fighter defending the Polish sky, but a day fighter. The lack of a radar sight meant that it was not a first-line fighter. This role was performed by 12 MiG-17 PF aircraft gathered in the Independent Pursuit Squadron, adjacent to the 1st PLM. At the same time, radar fighters MiG-19 P and radar-missile MiG-19 PM were already introduced into our armament. The need to introduce more radar aircraft equipped with radar sights was necessary.
Lim-5 aircraft were very important for the Polish Army. Many fighter pilots flew these aircraft before they started flying MiG-19 and MiG-21 fighters. However, in military history, Lim-5 aircraft are described superficially. We believe that this is unfair, and the aircraft should occupy a worthy place in history. In addition, Lim-5 was the most numerously built fighter aircraft in Polish history.
Lim-5 nb 1952.
The Lim-5 nb 1952 aircraft is displayed as an exhibit in a housing estate in Redzikowo near Słupsk. The side number is the year in which the 28th Fighter Aviation Regiment adopted the Lim series aircraft, which were manufactured at the factory in Mielec. The aircraft stands among other fighter aircraft used in the 28th Fighter Aviation Regiment.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman