Aviation Photography - Cold War Relics in Bulgaria


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Krumovo Museum

Cold War Relics in Bulgaria
2009-2010

Graf Ignatievo Air Base

Stored MiG-21's awaiting disposal, some have their national markings painted out
In the foreground MiG-21PFM (68), MiG-21M (210) and MiG-21F (516)

Left to right: MiG-21UM 'Mongol' (27, 21 & 19, 19 and 277).

Left to right: MiG-21bis-SAU 'Fishbed' (317, 088 and 119).

Left to right: MiG-21PFM (68), MiG-21M (210) and MiG-21F-13 (516).

Left to right: MiG-21PFM (68), MiG-21M (210) and MiG-21F (516).

Eight (April 2010) or nine (June 2009) 'anonymous' stored MiG-21bis-SAU's (reported as 727 (gone by 2010) 383, 324, 850, 127, 013, 249 and 370)
and one MiG-21UM (25) all with their serials painted out. They are now owned by an outside agency and awaiting disposal (see below).

Serial '727' Click to enlarge image 091_2708w6

MiG-21bis-SAU 'Fishbed' (727 which had gone by April 2010), MiG-21bis-SAU (850) and a MiG-21UM 'Mongol' (25) all with painted out serials and national markings.

Two MiG-21bis-SAU's (324, 127 and 383 x2) both with painted out serials and national markings.

Serial '013' Click to enlarge image 091_2707w6

Three MiG-21bis-SAU's (013 x2, 249 and 370) all now with their serials and national markings painted out.

Left to right: Antonov An-2 (026)
Imaculate Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21bis-Lasur (502)
MiG-19P (96)
MiG-19S (04 marked '681').

Left to right: Aero L-29 Delphin (85)
Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-15UTI (199)
MiG-23BN (63).

Krumovo - Plovdiv Air Base

Krumovo has a well presented collection of four helicopters outside its main buildings, another Mil Mi-4 (51) is just inside the main gate. Just outside the main gate of Krumovo is the impressive Bulgarian Museum of Aviation (Muzej na Aviatsyata i VVS)
Left to right: Mil (PZL Swidnik) Mi-2 (203), Mil Mi-1 (01), Mi-4A (44) and Mi-8T (301).

Dolna Mitropolia Air Base

MiG-21PF (with faded serial '26' is really 40) by the main bulidings and parade ground.

Technical School Ground Instruction (GI) outside the main hangars.
Left to right: Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23ML (632) delivered in 1986 for GI,
MiG-21PFM (36) delivered in 1965.
MiG-15UTI two-seat ('121') previously at Kamenec lies dismantled behind the MiG-21.

Outside the main buildings on base
Left to right: Aero L-29 Delfin (67),
MiG-17F (100)
MiG-15UTI two-seat (113)
MiG-17F (147) inside the main gate.

Sofia-Verazhdebna Air Base

A line up of six abandoned Mil Mi-2's (201, unmarked, 210, unmarked, 207 and 206).

At least 20 Mi-2's were delivered to the Bulgarian Air Force from 1968.
Left to right: Mil Mi-2 (201, unmarked, 210 and another unmarked all white one, believed to be 215 and 216).

Left to right: Mi-2 (207, 206, 207 and 210).

Left to right: Mil Mi-2 (503 and 505), both previously with the Bulgarian Police (Policija).
Mi-2 (501?) the serial was covered.
Mi-17 (510) Gendarmeriya,
Antonov An-12P (reported to be 0901409 ex Soviet Air Force it is unmarked).

Bezmer Forward Operating Base

Outside the main buildings is this small collection of former BuAF jets.
Left to right: Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-17F (030, 144 was on the gate),
MiG-15UTI two-seat (216)
Yakolev Yak-23 (119)
Aero L-29 Delphin (79)

Making sure that the Sukhoi Su-22M-4 'Fitter' (612) which was withdrawn from service a couple of years ago looks its best for its photo-shoot.

Su-22M-4 'Fitter' (612) taken with a 15mm lens from on top of some aircraft steps.

Left to right: Su-22M-4 'Fitter' (612).

Left to right: Su-22M-4 'Fitter' (612).