The remains of an M-17. The type was originally designed as a spy balloon interceptor. In 1990 this airframe set 25 world records for its class, reaching 21,880 m (71,788 ft). It was later used in ozone layer research. Wingspan is 40.3 m (132 ft).

The M-17 Stratosphera (NATO reporting name Mystic-A) was used for investigating the Ozone layer over Antarctica in 1992. The type set a total of 12 FAI world records, 5 of which still stand. On 28th March 1990 this aircraft set an altitude record of 21,830 m (71,620 ft) in class C-1i for landplanes with a take-off weight from 6 000 to 20 000 kg but has unfortunately fallen into disrepair and now languishes on the dump at the Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino.