Hobby Master 1/72 HA5903 MIG-17 "Fresco A" Blue 88, Soviet Air Force, August 1968 Invasion of Czechoslovakia

The Soviet built Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 (Fresco) was initially called the MiG-15bis+45 and completed its maiden flight on January 14, 1950 and entered service in 1952. There were five variants of the MiG-17 with the MiG-17F (Fresco C) becoming the main variant. The new Klimov VK-1F engine was the first Soviet built engine with an afterburner and variable nozzle. The installation of this new engine gave the MiG-17F double the rate of climb of previous variants and greatly improved vertical maneuvers. This aircraft lacked radar and was purely a day-time fighter.
The Soviet Union wouldn't tolerate the liberal policies of the Warsaw Pact Czechoslovakian Communist regime so on August 20 - 21, 1968 the Soviet Union along with Bulgaria, Hungary, East Germany and Poland sent forces to Prague to put an end to Alexander Dubcek's leadership. Romania and Albania refused to partake in the invasion. Initially 250,000 troops and 2,000 tanks entered Czechoslovakia along with air support. MiG-17A Blue 88 wearing red invasion stripes was one of the rare PVO aircraft to take part in the invasion. The PVO was a homeland defense force.