In 1961, forty Lim-6 were built with some new features like new blown flaps, but tests showed problems with the modified Lis-6 engine and, therefore the aircraft were not given to the Polish Air Force. Because of that, it was decided to redesign the thick wing sections with fuel tanks, blown flaps, double wheels, RATO system (Rocket Assisted Take Off) and return to the only slightly modified Lim-5 construction, with increased weapon-carrying capability instead.
In 1963 WSK-Mielec started production of the final variant of the attack plane, this time called Lim-6bis. It had standard wings and single wings, like the Lim-5. One important feature was the addition of two underwing weapon pylons close to the fuselage and the fitment of a braking parachute container below the rudder. The Lim-6bis were delivered to the Polish Air Force in 1963 but it wasn't until 14th September 1964 when they were officially adopted.
By 1964 seventy Lim-6bis were built and a number of Lim-5M and Lim-6 were upgraded to Lim-6bis standards, approximately eighty of them. Some few of them were also converted into the Lim-6R reconnaissance variant with an AFA-39 camera under the fuselage.
By 1971, as the Lim-5P fighters were becoming obsolete, they were also rebuilt into Lim-6bis standards, under the designation of Lim-6M. They had their radars removed, however the radar covers in the central air intake remained. They were fitted with additional underwing pylons but not a braking parachute and some of them were also converted into reconnaissance machines with the designation of Lim-6MR.
The Lim-6bis was armed with two NR-23 23 mm cannons and one N-37D 37 mm cannon, just like the MiG-17F, while the Lim-6M was armed with three NR-23 cannons, like the MiG-17PF. It had four underwing pylons and typically, it was armed with two Polish-made Mars-2 launchers for 16 unguided 57 mm S-5 rockets each, or 100 kg bombs. It could also carry 250 kg bombs or launchers on standard outer underwings pods, but usually they were used for 400 L fuel tanks. They were powered by the Lis-5 engine which yielded a thrust power of 5732 lb.
Lim-6bis, Lim-6R, Lim-6M and Lim-6MR were used by the Polish Air Force as their most numerous attack aircraft until the 1980s with the last one being retired in 1992.
They were exported to Algeria, Angola and Bulgaria.
Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PZL-Mielec_Lim-6
2. https://www.valka.cz/WSK-Mielec-Lim-6bis-t80685
3. https://www.valka.cz/WSK-Mielec-Lim-6M-t80672
4. https://www.valka.cz/WSK-Mielec-Lim-6-t80683
5. https://www.valka.cz/WSK-Mielec-Lim-6MR-t80674
6. https://www.valka.cz/WSK-Mielec-Lim-6R-t80686
7. Signal Squadron - Aircraft In action 125 - MiG-17 Fresco in Action
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