You are here: Home>>Reports>>Bulgaria 2005>>Preserved Graf Ignatievo

Preserved 22-August-2005

Photo info from www.aeroflight.co.uk

Antonov An-2 - 026. Over 180 An-2 were delivered from late 1952 onwards, for use by the air force and various government agencies. The initial batch came from the USSR, but later aircraft were received from the Polish production line and from (via?) East Germany. Some examples were of the An-2M agricultural variant (in 1970?). Two An-2 and an single An-2M were used by the Air Force in utility transport role.

Milkoyan-Gurevitch MiG-23BN Flogger - 63. Total of thirty-six MiG-23BN delivered from November 1976. Used by 25 IBAP at Cheshnegirovo for the attack role. Withdrawn from service in September 2001. Three other MiG-23BNs crashed at unknown dates.

Mikoyan-Gurevitch MiG-19P Farmer B - 96. 24 MiG-19S were received in 1957 as the first WARPAC country, later more followed. Some 12 MiG-19P received from USSR in 1958, and 12 more from Poland in 1966, plus twelve MiG-19PM also from Poland in 1967 enkel 12 ?. Total of 58 MiG-19 delivered, 28 were lost in crashes. Used by 11th IAP at Gabronitsa and later the 18th IAP at Dobroslavtsi for the interceptor role. In 1969, the surviving MiG-19Ps were upgraded to MiG-19PT standard to carry two R-3S (K-13R) AAMs on underwing pylons. The MiG-19PM was withdrawn from service in 1975, followed by the MiG-19S in 1978, Five aircraft sold to China in dismantled condition. Military Type numbers were MiG-19S 7200, -19P 7201 and -19PM 7205.

Mikoyan-Gurevitch MiG-21PFM 66. Fifty MiG-21PFM delivered in 1965 (12 aircraft), 1977-78 (36 aircraft) and 1984 (2 aircraft). All ex-Soviet AF aircraft. Used by 15 IAP at Ravnets for the interceptor fighter role. Later used at the training base at Kamenets. Withdrawn from service during 1992. Seven aircraft lost in crashes. Four aircraft exported and 23 scrapped. Military Type Number 7294.

Milkoyan-Gurevitch MiG-23BN Flogger - 63. Total of thirty-six MiG-23BN delivered from November 1976. Used by 25 IBAP at Cheshnegirovo for the attack role. Withdrawn from service in September 2001. Three other MiG-23BNs crashed at unknown dates.

Milkoyan-Gurevitch MiG-15UTI Midget - 199. Forty-seven Czech built MiG-15UTI (or UTI-MIG-15) were delivered in 1955-1960. Used for the advanced training role. 15 aircraft remained in 1995 - mainly with the Air Force Aviation Academy at Dolna Metropoliya. Withdrawn from use (WFU) in 1988, Military Type Number 7151. 

Yak-23 - 51 (white). Bulgaria's first jet aircraft, the Yak-23,  made it's first in flight at Graf Ignatievo on 1 July 1951. The 26th IAP (Fighter Aviopolk) had fully converted from the Yak-9 by late 1952. Soon replaced in front-line service by the MiG-15 in 1953. Last examples withdrawn from service in 1953? Military Type Number 7107.

Aero L-29 Delfin - 85. 109 L-29s were delivered from manufacturer from 1964 onwards. Used for the basic training role. Withdrawn from service in November 2002. Military type number 7209.

Stored 25-August-2005