PZL-Mielec
Lim-5
SP-MIL
FUBAR Aviation
A remarkable survivor of Poland’s Cold War fighter era. Built by WSK PZL-Mielec in 1958, Lim-5 1211 served with the Polish Air Force before eventually becoming a civil warbird in Britain. Returned to Poland for restoration by FUBAR Aviation, the aircraft took to the skies again in 2026, bringing the unmistakable sound of the Polish-built MiG-17 derivative back to life.
POLAND’S FRESCO TAKES FLIGHT AGAIN
Built at WSK PZL-Mielec in 1958, Lim-5 1211 is a remarkable survivor of Poland’s Cold War fighter era. A licence-built development of the MiG-17F, the Lim-5 served as a fast, heavily armed frontline fighter with the Polish Air Force.
After leaving military service, the aircraft spent decades as a civilian warbird in Britain before returning to Poland in 2023. Under the care of FUBAR Aviation, 1211 underwent an extensive restoration, culminating in its return to flight in April 2026.
Now registered SP-MIL, the aircraft has begun a new chapter as a flying ambassador for Poland’s aviation heritage — bringing the distinctive silhouette, sound and afterburning power of the Lim-5 back to the skies.
✈ AIRCRAFT FACTS
AIRCRAFT
STATUS
LOCATION
OWNER
ROLE
BUILT
Airworthy
Olsztyn-Mazury, Poland
FUBAR Aviation
Fighter
1958
DIMENSIONS
LENGTH
WINGSPAN
11.26 m (36 ft 11 in)
9.63 m (31 ft 7 in)
PERFORMANCE
ENGINE
MAXIMUM SPEED
RANGE
ARMAMENT
Lis-5 / VK-1F afterburning turbojet
1,145 km/h (711 mph)
1,930–1,980 km (1,199-1,230 miles)
1 × 37 mm N-37D + 2 × 23 mm NR-23
Born at Mielec — 1958
Construction number 1C-1211 was built at WSK PZL-Mielec in 1958 as a Lim-5, Poland’s licence-built version of the Soviet MiG-17F. The Lim-5 was one of the most important Polish fighter aircraft of the Cold War, combining the MiG-17’s swept-wing design with an afterburning turbojet.
Aircraft 1211 was delivered to the Polish Air Force in July 1958, carrying its military serial 1211. Records indicate that it served with the 11th Fighter Aviation Regiment (11 PLM) during its early career. It remained in Polish military service for more than three decades before being withdrawn from use in 1990.
Following withdrawal, 1211 was placed into storage at Katowice Air Base in June 1991. Unlike many of its contemporaries, however, its story was far from over.
A New Life in Britain — 1990s–2023
In the mid-1990s, 1211 was sold onto the private market and moved to Britain. On 14 June 1996, it was registered G-BWUF, becoming part of the British civil warbird scene.
The aircraft was subsequently re-registered G-MIGG on 17 January 2003, passing into private ownership. During its British career, the aircraft was given an eye-catching North Vietnamese/Vietnam War-inspired colour scheme, despite having originally been a Polish Air Force aircraft. It became a familiar sight around British aviation events, including appearances at North Weald and other airfields.
For almost three decades, the former Polish fighter lived as a civilian warbird in Britain. By the early 2020s, however, its future was about to change once again.
The FUBAR Aviation Restoration
In 2023, 1211 returned to Poland after its long British chapter, joining FUBAR Aviation / Fundacja Eskadra. The aircraft entered a structured restoration programme intended to return it to flying condition and restore its Polish identity.
The restoration involved bringing the airframe and its systems back to an operational standard suitable for a modern civilian operator. At the same time, the aircraft was returned to Polish Air Force-style markings, replacing the fictional Vietnamese appearance it had worn for many years in Britain.
The aircraft was registered SP-MIL in 2026, finally giving 1211 a new civil identity while retaining the military serial that had followed it since 1958.
1211 Returns to the Sky
After decades on the ground, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived in April 2026.
SP-MIL returned to flight, becoming Europe’s only airworthy MiG-17/Lim-5. Its first public appearances followed quickly, including AirSKY 2026 at Radom-Piastów on 25 April. The aircraft subsequently embarked on an international display programme, crossing Europe for airshows and appearances.
Today, Lim-5 1211 / SP-MIL represents a remarkable full-circle story: built at Mielec for the Polish Air Force, retired after more than three decades of service, reborn as a British civilian warbird, and eventually brought home and restored to flight by FUBAR Aviation
A MIELEC-BUILT FIGHTER, BACK IN THE AIR
Built in 1958 at WSK PZL-Mielec, Lim-5 1211 is a survivor of Poland’s Cold War fighter era and a licence-built development of the MiG-17F. After decades in Polish military service, the aircraft crossed into civilian life in Britain, where it flew for many years before returning to its country of origin in 2023. Restored by FUBAR Aviation, 1211 emerged once again as SP-MIL, retaining its historic Polish identity. In April 2026, after more than three decades away from Polish skies, the aircraft returned to flight — preserving the sound, character and unmistakable presence of the Lim-5 for a new generation.