The current Mig market, and importation questions

[Rob Mears]

I'm increasingly curious about the current Mig market in the Unites States.

Does the US Government have any regulations in place that prohibit the importation of further Migs from overseas?

Any clue how many Mig-17's are currently in the US?

Any speculation as to whether the warbird market will remain completely saturated with these airframes for the forseable future, or if we've seen all of the imporation were going to see for this type?

Thanks for any insight or opinions!

[cg51]

Here are a few pics from my collection from over the years,
The first group are from Reno 04






These are from Reno around 1988

[bdk]

I think you can still import any foreign built subsonic jet, i.e. Mig-17 = Fouga = L29 = L39.

[Trey Carroll]

I think you can still import any foreign built subsonic jet, i.e. Mig-17 = Fouga = L29 = L39.

What about the "Gnat"

There is a Mig-29 or something like that in Delaware, I think.

[wls3]

Rob,

FAA Registry shows 26 MIG 17's in US.

Warbirds of Delaware has a MIG 21 and MIG 23.

Bill

Mig 23 at New Castle Delaware.
[/img]

[Bill Greenwood]

You can never trust those commies; look at the red rod protruding from the top of the Mig wing. Those are mechanical gear indicators, as in my Spitfire, and I bet they stole them from the British. Why do they operate backwards, i.e. up when the gear is down and flush down whewn the gear is up? Same reason English beer is warm and bathrooms are cold!

[bdk]

What about the "Gnat"

There is a Mig-29 or something like that in Delaware, I think.

Gnat should be OK. Mig-29 was either imported before the ban or was let in for some other non-sporting purpose (government contract flights?).

[mexchiwa]

Reno '88? Eg before the wall fell and all that? Didn't know people were importing MiGs that early (except maybe the USAF). Chinese? Anyway, thanks for the pics

[Rob Mears]

So the ban only restricts supersonic jets, correct? So if I were to locate an inexpensive Mig-17 sitting in Eastern Europe somewhere, I could still get it into the country without much hassle?

[RickH]

Rob, I fear that eventually you would find that the term inexpesive Mig may be an oxymoron.

[PhantomAce08]

So if I were to locate an inexpensive Mig-17 sitting in Eastern Europe somewhere, I could still get it into the country without much hassle?

I take it that you have one it mind?

[kurbelgehause]

So is ALL import of supersonic jets prohibited or just flying them once in country?

Ray

[Scott Rose]

So the ban only restricts supersonic jets, correct? So if I were to locate an inexpensive Mig-17 sitting in Eastern Europe somewhere, I could still get it into the country without much hassle?

I've always heard that the acquisition costs of these jets were inconsequential compared to thecost of rebuilding and maintaining them.

[T33driver]

So the ban only restricts supersonic jets, correct? So if I were to locate an inexpensive Mig-17 sitting in Eastern Europe somewhere, I could still get it into the country without much hassle?

I've always heard that the acquisition costs of these jets were inconsequential compared to thecost of rebuilding and maintaining them.

Fuel is a big cost too. The bargains to be found in Eastern Europe from a few years back are mostly gone since the folks "over there" are now wiser to the US warbird market. Not saying a Mig couldn't be bought, imported, inspected and licensed for less than one already licensed in the US, but it'd be tough to do unless you're doing the condition inspection or restoration yourself. If your paying a shop, restoration costs can inflate so quickly since you never know what you got till you tear it apart. With Mig prices in the low $100,000s, I'd favor finding one already restored, licensed and flying in the US.

[bdk]

So is ALL import of supersonic jets prohibited or just flying them once in country?

Import.