Stunning video captures MiG-17 conducting flyby over Florida Gulf Coast
- Footage showing a MiG-17 flying dangerously low over a beach in Florida has emerged
- The Soviet-build fighter jet is an icon of the skies, famous for its dogfighting abilities
- Luckily this wasn’t an accident waiting to happen, but rather a carefully orchestrated plan
Published on May 10, 2024 at 8:36 PM (UTC+4)
by Andie Reeves
Last updated on May 12, 2024 at 1:57 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Incredible footage of a MiG-17 flying over a beach has been released.
The Soviet-built jet fighter was seen swooping dangerously low over a pier in Florida.
In the waters below, holidaymakers were catching rays and playing in the waves.
Luckily this wasn’t a freak accident waiting to happen but rather a well-orchestrated plan.
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The MiG-17, assigned the reporting name ‘Fresco’ by NATO, is a fighter aircraft developed in the Cold War era.
It was an upgrade of the MiG-15 and became one of the most popular jet fighters of all time.
The jet entered service in 1952 as a worthy competitor to Western aircraft like the F-86 Sabre.
One of its most noteworthy features was its swept-wing design, making it highly maneuverable at high speeds.
The agile MiG-17 excelled in dogfights and was used in various conflicts during the Cold War era by Soviet-aligned countries.
Because it was so simple, reliable, and effective, the jet remained in service well into the 1980s and 1990s.
So what was such a significant military aircraft doing on a beach in Florida?
The Gulf Coast Salute Air Show has been on hiatus for over five years after Hurricane Michael seriously damaged the Tyndall Air Force Base.
While the base is rebuilt, the air show found a new temporary home near the City Pier on Panama City Beach.
The show showcased icons of the sky such as Thunderbirds, known for their ability to perform death-defying stunts.
Also on the line-up was an F-22 Raptor, the cockpit of which was recently revealed in a video released by the US Air Force.
But the scene-stealer was the MiG-17 that delivered a perfect flyby over the Panama City Beach pier.
After passing the spectators, it made a steep, sharp climb upwards.
The plane was flown by Randy W Ball, the only pilot in North America to have flown this MiG variant.
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Andie is a content writer from South Africa with a background in broadcasting and journalism. Starting her career in the glossy pages of Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire, Andie has a broad portfolio, covering everything from sustainability solutions to celebrity car collections. When not at her laptop Andie can be found sewing, recording her podcast, taking board games too seriously or road-tripping in her bright green Kia.
