MiG-17 sighted flying out of Ann Arbor Municipal Airport
Two reports, as of yet unconfirmed, describe a Soviet-made MiG-17 flying out of the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport this afternoon.
One report spotted the plane from an office building near State and Eisenhower; the other confirms the identity of the plane, but doesn't provide a location. The first reader writes from his vantage point near the airport that it "could also have been a MiG-15 or an F-86."
There is a plane like this nearby; it flew in the 2005 Thunder over Michigan show, piloted by Will Ward.
Flightaware, which tracks aviation activity, had no record of the airplane this afternoon at KARB. Some airplanes have their activities hidden from public view, as this Politico story describes.
I've put in a request to the Ann Arbor airport to find out what aircraft it was that our readers saw flying out of the airport this afternoon.Â
Edward Vielmetti is the lead blogger for AnnArbor.com. Contact him at edwardvielmetti@annarbor.com.Â
Comments
James Judge
Fri, Apr 30, 2010 : 2:14 a.m.
Ok i just happened to come across this story while looking for Will Wards website. Let me put all this confusion to rest. I know 100% for a fact it was Will Wards MIG-17 Its all black with Red lettering and red Soviet era star on the tail. It is a swept wing fighter and looks almost identical to a MIG-15 and similar to an F-86. He bases the plane at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Here is a link to a picture of Will and I at the 2009 Thunder Over Michigan Air Show: http://picasaweb.google.com/taspics/ThunderOverMichigan2009#5379577124994338210 Will also owns a MIG-21 as well. I believe there are 3 flying MIG-17s in the U.S. One is owned by Will Ward, one is owned by Randy Ball and I believe there is one more owned by an aviation museum/foundation. The F-86 only has one engine, what you see on the wings are external fuel pods, not engines. Hope this solves all the calamity over this mystery plane. If you are interested in aviation or just have a few questions pop over to my website www.airshowmedia.net :)
seldon
Wed, Apr 14, 2010 : 11:58 a.m.
@lee: I'm trying to figure out why you posted that here. I don't think this story is about the airport controversy. I haven't seen any responder apart from you mention it.
seldon
Tue, Apr 13, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.
@Babonx: it would be hard to mistake any of those for a MiG-17.
Babonx
Tue, Apr 13, 2010 : 9:04 a.m.
Chiming in again... this 2007 article about Bob Lutz indicates that he has two airplanes: a Czech Albatros and a German-built Alpha. http://www.autoweek.com/article/20070907/FREE/70827021 http://www.warbirdalley.com/l39.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dassault/Dornier_Alpha_Jet
Babonx
Tue, Apr 13, 2010 : 8:57 a.m.
My coworker was speculating that it was a Warthog http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=warthog%20airplane&w=all&m=tags
Babonx
Mon, Apr 12, 2010 : 8:20 p.m.
I work in an office park just South of I-94 and saw the plane shortly after takeoff. I am not at all a plane enthusiast, but from my vantage point it appeared as if the plane had an engine (or something) on each wing rather than one in the back (such as the MiG). The F-86 could be plausible.
Adam Jaskiewicz
Mon, Apr 12, 2010 : 5:03 p.m.
Bob Lutz was my first thought. Wikipedia says the MiG 17 was introduced in 1952, and very few countries have them in active use. Since I doubt we're under attack by Angola, signs point to a rich guy's toy.
doctrsnoop
Mon, Apr 12, 2010 : 4:18 p.m.
Could be Bob Lutz's (of automotive fame). I believe he both lives in AA and own's some eastern Bloc fighter jets.