Bulgaria Plovdiv Plundering - 25th - 27th November 2016 Day 3

The third day was scheduled for a later start, but we got up early and decided the 20 minute drive to Graf was worth another bash. There's not a lot worse than seeing active MiG's and not getting them!

The weather looked promising as we left Plovdiv, but as we got closer to Graf the fog returned with a vengeance. Needless to say Graf was unviewable!

Time to get on with the program and head to the main event, Krumovo.

The museum didn't open until 9am, so we drove round to the civil side first.

Plovdiv-Krumovo 27-11-16
LY-MAA LET L-410 UVP 810634
LY-MJR LET L-410 UVP 841318
LY-MMR LET L-410 UVP 810622
LY-MRA LET L-410 UVP 841314
LZ-KTC Cessna 177 B Cardinal 177-02301

LZ-LDM Douglas MD82 53228 Bulgarian Air Charter
LZ-LDN Douglas MD82 53216 Bulgarian Air Charter

LZ-LDW Douglas MD82 49795 Bulgarian Air Charter

We arrived at the Muzej na Aviatsiyata at 8.55am, checked with the base gate that it was open and all was good to go.

Krumovo Museum 27-11-16

01 Antonov A-11 Unknown Bulgarian Air Force

(3) Arado Ar.196 A-3 0219 Bulgarian Air Force

05 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 US 07685143 Bulgarian Air Force

(7) Yakovlev Yak-9 U 3267 Bulgarian Air Force - marked as 27

10 LET L-200 D Morava 171310 Bulgarian Air Force

11 Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin 491028 Bulgarian Air Force

12 Mil Mi-1 M Unknown Bulgarian Air Force

(13) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 SF Unknown Bulgarian Air Force - marked as 882

20 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 PF 760804 Bulgarian Air Force

(20) LET L-200 D Morava 171202 Bulgarian Air Force

021 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 UB A1037621 Bulgarian Air Force

21 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 PF 7137 Bulgarian Air Force

22 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 PF 58210414 Bulgarian Air Force

23 Yakovlev Yak-23 3123133 Bulgarian Air Force

025 Antonov An-2 M 801822 Bulgarian Air Force

27 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 UM 516999266 Bulgarian Air Force

30 Mikoyan-Gurevich LiM-5 R 1C-15-23 Bulgarian Air Force

43 Ilyushin IL-28 R 2504 Bulgarian Air Force

45 Yakovlev Yak-23 3123177 Bulgarian Air Force

50 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 BN 0393215750 Bulgarian Air Force

52 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 MF 969402 Bulgarian Air Force

(52) Mil Mi-4 A 04159 Bulgarian Air Force

(53) Mil Mi-4 A 17165 Bulgarian Air Force

55 Yakovlev Yak-C-11 172419 Bulgarian Air Force

(59) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 S Unknown Bulgarian Air Force - marked as 030

062 LET L-410 UVP 841225 Bulgarian Air Force - marked CCCP-67460

62 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 PFM 940ME10 Bulgarian Air Force

71 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 F 7207 Bulgarian Air Force

79 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 BN 0393208379 Bulgarian Air Force

088 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 bis (SAU) N75094088 Bulgarian Air Force

97 Ilyushin IL-14 T Unknown Bulgarian Air Force

101 Mil Mi-24 D U5065 Bulgarian Air Force

110 Antonov An-14 A 003308 Bulgarian Air Force

150 Mikoyan-Gurevich Lim-5 1C-18-17 Bulgarian Air Force

202 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 UTI 612781 Bulgarian Air Force

206 Sukhoi Su-22 UM-3K N17532372206 Bulgarian Air Force

209 Mil Mi-2 544205065 Bulgarian Air Force

(251) Tupolev Tu-2 T Unknown Bulgarian Air Force - marked as 27

302 Mil Mi-8 T 10302 Bulgarian Air Force

390 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 MLD 0390325390 Bulgarian Air Force

(425) Ilyushin IL-2 m3 308134 Bulgarian Air Force - marked as 4

501 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 F-13 741101 Bulgarian Air Force

506 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 P Unknown Bulgarian Air Force

613 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 M 960613 Bulgarian Air Force

670 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 MF 0390213670 Bulgarian Air Force

812 Mil Mi-14 BT U5008 Bulgarian Air Force

818 Sukhoi Su-22 M-4 27818 Bulgarian Air Force

936 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 PM 65210936 Bulgarian Air Force

63-899/8-899 Lockheed CF-104 Starfighter 683A-1199 Turkish Air Force

800502 Yakovlev Yak-52 800502 Russian Air Force - marked as 02

(CCCP-13381) Lisunov Li-2 33444601

(LZ-001) Popovski H11 B1 Soro Unknown

LZ-130 PZL-Okecie 101 Gawron 119271

LZ-501 Yakovlev Yak-50 791509 
LZ-3007 LET Z-37 Cmelak Unknown
(LZ-5017) Mil Mi-1 Unknown

(LZ-6016) Kamov Ka-26 7203008 - marked LZ-6018

(LZ-711) Zlin Z.526 F Trener Master 1043 marked as LZ-011

LZ-ANE Antonov An-24 B 77303406
LZ-ASF Cessna 150L 150-75078

LZ-DOS Yakovlev Yak-40 S2 9231423

Unmarked Aviatechnica SL-90 Leshii A030102


There was no access to the storage area, but all could be seen easily. 
At least another 2 or 3 MiG-15/17's are present in bits!

Storage

54 Mil Mi-4 A 18165 Bulgarian Air Force

LZ-606 Orlican L-60 Brigadyr 150901

(133) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 Unknown Bulgarian Air Force

(-) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 bis 34204 Bulgarian Air Force

(-) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 bis 130060 Bulgarian Air Force

From the museum a fair amount can be read on the military side of the base.

Krumovo AB 27-11-16

01 Mil Mi-1 Unknown Bulgarian Air Force - Preserved

44 Mil Mi-4 A Unknown Bulgarian Air Force - Preserved

51 Mil Mi-4 A Unknown Bulgarian Air Force - Preserved

133 Mil Mi-24 D 150598 Bulgarian Air Force

134 Mil Mi-24 D 150599 Bulgarian Air Force

135 Mil Mi-24 D 150600 Bulgarian Air Force

136 Mil Mi-24 D 150601 Bulgarian Air Force

137 Mil Mi-24 D 150602 Bulgarian Air Force

140 Mil Mi-24 V 150722 Bulgarian Air Force

141 Mil Mi-24 V 150723 Bulgarian Air Force

142 Mil Mi-24 V 150724 Bulgarian Air Force

144 Mil Mi-24 V 150726 Bulgarian Air Force

146 Mil Mi-24 V 730721 Bulgarian Air Force

203 Mil Mi-2 543006063 Bulgarian Air Force - Preserved

301 Mil Mi-8 T 10301 Bulgarian Air Force - Preserved

431 Mil Mi-17 PP 103M31 Bulgarian Air Force

432 Mil Mi-17 PP 103M32 Bulgarian Air Force

Delighted with our time here we departed towards the old yard at Katunista.
As expected the yard has cleared, but always good to check if your passing!

Next stop was a MiG-23. This MiG was undergoing a re-spray!

Sadovo 27-11-16
(66) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 BN 0393209366 Bulgarian Air Force


From here we headed north into the Balkans.The first stop for a Lim.

Brezovo 27-11-16
113 Mikoyan-Gurevich Lim-5 Unknown Bulgarian Air Force


Onwards towards our next MiG. This looking good on a plinth.

Zelenikovo 27-11-16

509 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 bis N75012409 Bulgarian Air Force


A rare Sukhoi next up, after a series of winding roads to get here.

Banya 27-11-16

501 Sukhoi Su-22 M-4 23501 Bulgarian Air Force


Finally back on the main roads towards Anevo to look for a Mil Mi in a shed.

Anevo 27-11-16

(37) Mil Mi-4 Unknown Bulgarian Air Force

Directions from Patrick Dirksen's logs helped out here. Thanks Patrick.
Another brace of L-29's beckoned, with some stunning scenery on route. 

Shipkovo 27-11-16

25 Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin Unknown Bulgarian Air Force - marked as 30

Ribaritsa 27-11-16

55 Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin 892878 Bulgarian Air Force


We asked permission to view and photograph the Let here, the receptionist was more than happy to let us go through. On return we had a quick chat with her. She told us a MiG-21 is due to join the Let within the next few months. However she did not know where it was coming from.

A little way up the road was another MiG-15.

Golyam Izvor 27-11-16

(134) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 UTI Unknown Bulgarian Air Force

Another 20 minutes driving found yet another Let-29.

Malak Izvor 27-11-16

57 Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin 892880 Bulgarian Air Force


With the darkness closing in we headed back to Sofia, stopping off for the last MiG of the trip. 

Zlatitsa 27-11-16

(857) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 S 0815357 Bulgarian Air Force

An hour later we were back at Sofia dropping off the car. We checked in and grabbed some food and drink whilst looking back over the trip. 

Sofia 27-11-16

A7-AHD Airbus A320 232 4436 Qatar Airways

D-AIUQ Airbus A320 214(SL) 6947 Lufthansa

G-EZPL Airbus A320 214(SL) 7183 EasyJet

LZ-FBC Airbus A320 214 2540 Bulgaria Air

LZ-FBE Airbus A320 214 3780 Bulgaria Air

LZ-SOF Embraer Emb-190 100IGW 19000492 Bulgaria Air

TC-JVO Boeing  737 8F2 60031 THY Turkish Airlines

It was gone midnight by the time EI-DPK on the FR9968 got us back to Stansted. Nothing of interest was logged here.

Still another hour until we got back to Luton, but with three days away from the local it's always worth a quick circuit!

Luton 28-11-16
EI-FTF Boeing  737 8AS 44756 Ryanair
N347BD Dassault Falcon 7X 248 Corporate
N348RS Gulfstream G450 4030 Corporate
N650ER Gulfstream G650 6210 Gulfstream Aerospace

A nice G650 frame for our return, perfect ending to a quality trip. Great aircraft and great company, non stop spotting and banter made for an excellent three days.

Cheers fellas, see you all next time no doubt...

Bulgaria Plovdiv Plundering - 25th - 27th November 2016 Day 2

An early start for the trek down towards the Plovdiv area. But first it was back to German for the MiG-21 here. The fog was terrible and we still failed to see the aircraft which is at the back of the yard. We will be back for this one!

As we left Sofia the roads got slightly better! Our second stop was a rare (for this trip) GA drome. Unfortunately it was all locked up with no sign of life except the two dogs!

It was also still very foggy, just a couple of Cessna's were noted.

Lesnovo 26-11-16
LZ-CCB Cessna 402B 402B-0581

LZ-UGB Cessna 172S Skyhawk 172S-9587

We were hoping for a few more frames here, one for next time. Next up was a golf course.

Ihtiman-Town 26-11-16

LZ-TUF Tupolev Tu-134 0350918 Air Sofia Golf Club

A nice frame for Pogo, the rest of us having seen this at Heathrow back in the 70's!

Five minutes up the road was another GA drome, this one was gated. The security guard was asleep in his cabin. We didn't wake him. Just a lone Aztec outside.

Ihtiman 26-11-16

LZ-RIM Piper PA-23 250 Aztec E 27-7305143

Our next stop was another GA drome, fortunately the weather had brightened up and access was granted for a clear out here. 

Dolna Banya 26-11-16

LZ-BVG Tecnam P.92-JS Echo 57

LZ-DBC Tecnam P.2002-JF Sierra 037

LZ-DBF Tecnam P.92-JS Echo 131

LZ-DEG Tecnam P.2002-JR Sierra 196

LZ-EDY Robinson R44 Raven I 1751

LZ-EKI Jabiru SP-470 0345

LZ-HEC Pipistrel Virus 704SWN100

LZ-IDT Zenair CH.701 STOL 7-9778

LZ-IKN BRM Aero NG-5 Bristell 007/2011

LZ-MKI Tecnam P.92 Echo S 1119

LZ-PTM Socata MS.885 Super Rallye 53

LZ-TMH Tecnam P.2006T 82

Moving on it was time for some miggage! The MiG-17 at Belovo has gone. We did ask a local, well sort of... I did my best by showing a google image of the MiG. His actions suggested it was long gone!

Raduil 26-11-16

518 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 F-13 741018 Bulgarian Air Force

Another MiG-21 was next.

Dabravite 26-11-16

13 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 UM 516939036 Bulgarian Air Force

Heading up into the mountains for a brace of L-29's next.

Akandzhievo 26-11-16

60 Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin 892938 Bulgarian Air Force

Batak 26-11-16

(14) Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin 491031 Bulgarian Air Force

Next was Tsalapita, all three aircraft were easily seen, however the lone house resident was not happy we were there. Nay managed a quick photo before being told to move on!

Tsalapita 26-11-16

LZ-1162 WSK-PZL An-2 R 1G166-13

LZ-1262 WSK-PZL An-2 R 1G167-01

LZ-8012 PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader 1Z009-24

Voysil also drew attention from the security guards and barking dogs! Again we didn't hang around for too long.

Voysil 26-11-16

LZ-5036 Mil Mi-2 526022029

LZ-5039 Mil Mi-2 546447010

LZ-DRA PZL-Mielec M-18 A Dromader 1Z020-26

LZ-DRB PZL-Mielec M-18 A Dromader 1Z015-13

It was getting dark by the time we got to Graf, we headed straight for the station where some of the preserved aircraft can be seen. 

Graf Ignatievo AB 26-11-16

(04) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 S Unknown Bulgarian Air Force - marked as 681

026 WSK-PZL An-2 TP 1G157-01 Bulgarian Air Force

63 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 BN 0393215763 Bulgarian Air Force

(205) Sukhoi Su-25 K 25508110105 Bulgarian Air Force

Four MiG-29's could be seen out on the ramp, however with the evening approaching rapidly along with some fog we couldn't identify any of them.

By the time we got round to Tsarimir it was very dark, fortunately only a few stops remained from here, all preserved.

Tsarimir 26-11-16

(544) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 P 620544 Bulgarian Air Force

Orizari 26-11-16

(18) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 PF 13555 Bulgarian Air Force

Heading into Plovdiv the first stop was the AN-2 on a car park.

Plovdiv City 26-11-16

06 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 BN 0393215766 Bulgarian Air Force

34 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 UM 516977066 Bulgarian Air Force

(LZ-1207) WSK-PZL An-2 TP 1G129-05 Private

The MiG-23 was nicely lit for a photo, and the MiG-21 was just a block away from our hotel for the night.

A MiG-21 reported as serial 45 is located in a nearby barracks. We failed to see this however, according to Bulldog we were in the right place. A re-visit in the daylight is needed for this elusive MiG.

Not a great numbers day but some real quality. Finally we checked into our hotel after some confusion over the rooms. Nay enjoyed a single room whilst Pogo and I had to deal with Dazza the Walrus' snoring!

Bulgaria Plovdiv Plundering - 25th - 27th November 2016 Day 1

A three day trip to Bulgaria for John, Colin, Darren and special guest Phil (aka Pogo). This was Pogo's first trip to Eastern Europe, so he was in for a treat.

Waking up at stupid o'clock to get to our flight at 0605hrs we made the terminal in good time for a good full English brekkie.

We departed from Stansted for a change, EI-DLJ being our chariot for the almost three hour flight to Sofia on FR9961.

There wasn't much to trouble the log book at STN, a handful of biz and some of the newer Harpjets were noted.

Stansted 25-11-16

A6-HAS Embraer ERJ-135BJ Legacy 650 14501195 Corporate
EI-FIL Boeing 737 8AS 44702 Ryanair

EI-FIV Boeing 737 8AS 44705 Ryanair

EI-FIW Boeing 737 8AS 44706 Ryanair

EI-FRK Boeing 737 8AS 44735 Ryanair

EI-FRS Boeing 737 8AS 44745 Ryanair

M-AQUA Bombardier Global 5000 BD-700-1A11 9157 Corporate

SE-RMA Bombardier Challenger 300 20136 Corporate

After a very short delay we made good and arrived at Sofia around midday local time. A hoard of stored aircraft were seen on landing. Exiting terminal 1, we were immediately greeted by a TU-134 and a Yak-40 stored outside the Bulgaria Air building. Nice start!

Sofia 25-11-16

020 Pilatus PC-12 -45 518 Bulgarian Air Force

055 Antonov An-30 0802 Bulgarian Air Force

063 LET L-410 UVP 841226 Bulgarian Air Force

064 LET L-410 UVP-E3 902524 Bulgarian Air Force

065 LET L-410 UVP 841333 Bulgarian Air Force

066 LET L-410 UVP-E 892337 Bulgarian Air Force

067 LET L-410 UVP-E 892338 Bulgarian Air Force

068 LET L-410 UVP-E3 902522 Bulgarian Air Force

069 LET L-410 UVP-E3 902523 Bulgarian Air Force

070 Antonov An-26 137-08 Bulgarian Air Force

073 Aeritalia C-27 J Spartan 4145 Bulgarian Air Force

087 Antonov An-26 142-09 Bulgarian Air Force

503 Mil Mi-2 526007039 Bulgarian Police

504 Mil Mi-2 539009024 Bulgarian Police

505 Mil Mi-2 539010124 Bulgarian Police

D-CNNN Cessna 560 Citation Excel S+ 560-6127 DC Aviation

D-ISKO Raytheon 390 Premier 1 RB-35 Corporate

EC-KAD Aerospatiale ATR 72 102 171 Swiftair

EC-JVM Learjet 60 60-161 Corporate

LZ-BVE Learjet 60 60-329 Corporate

LZ-CAN Mil Mi-8 PS 99357636 Bulgarian Government

LZ-DOB Yakovlev Yak-40 9340432 Hemus Air

LZ-DOE Yakovlev Yak-40 9521441 Hemus Air

LZ-DOF Yakovlev Yak-40 9521541 Hemus Air - outside Bulgaria Air building

LZ-DOM Yakovlev Yak-40 9620447 Hemus Air

LZ-FBB Airbus A319 112 3309 Bulgaria Air

LZ-GMV Cessna 550/551 Citation Bravo 550-1136 Corporate

LZ-HBA British Aerospace 146-200 E2072 Hemus Air

LZ-OOI Dassault Falcon 2000 123 Bulgarian Government

LZ-PLO Embraer Emb-190 100AR 19000584 Bulgaria Air

LZ-TBP Cessna 500/501 Citation I SP 501-0246 Corporate

LZ-TUN Tupolev Tu-134 A-3 4352307 Hemus Air - outside Bulgaria Air building

LZ-TUZ Tupolev Tu-134 A-3 1351503 Hemus Air

LZ-VAR Embraer Emb-190 100IGW 19000496 Bulgaria Air

OE-HPA IAI G280 2013 Avcon Jet

UR-DNT Embraer ERJ-145 LR 145709 Dniproavia

UR-WRO Airbus A321 211 0781 Windrose Air (UR)

Pleased with the haul of stored Let's etc... we headed of to the first museum of the trip. Voenen Muzei in the City centre. Traffic was heavy but we finally managed to find some parking in a nearby mall. The short walk was well rewarded.

Sofia-Museum 25-11-16

(21) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 UM 516999258 Bulgarian Air Force

26 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 UB A1037856 Bulgarian Air Force

29 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 UB A1038318 Bulgarian Air Force

63 Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin 892941 Bulgarian Air Force

67 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 PFM-SPS 940MK20 Bulgarian Air Force

070 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 MLA 2960324870 Bulgarian Air Force

(72) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 F Unknown Bulgarian Air Force - marked as 28

108 Mil Mi-24 D U5089 Bulgarian Air Force

205 Mil Mi-2 563109093 Bulgarian Air Force

(221) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 UTI 0_64 Bulgarian Air Force - marked as 03

303 Mil Mi-8 T 10303 Bulgarian Air Force

365 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 bis (SAU) N75094365 Bulgarian Air Force

44+13 BAe/Panavia Tornado IDS GS077 German Air Force

501 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 bis N75019901 Bulgarian Air Force

511 Sukhoi Su-22 M-4 36511 Bulgarian Air Force

525 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 bis N75003025 Bulgarian Air Force

867 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 MLA 2960324867 Bulgarian Air Force

939 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 PM 65210939 Bulgarian Air Force

Escaping the traffic we headed off for a few more stops in the City.

Sofia-Town 25-11-16

(31) Lazarov LAZ-7 Unknown Bulgarian Air Force

(41) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 S Unknown Bulgarian Air Force

The Mi-24 at the Museum of History had moved on. The nice lady in the kiosk didn't know where to unfortunately.

Heading out of town the next stops were only a short distance apart in the same town.

Bozhurishste 25-11-16

116 Mikoyan-Gurevich Lim-5 Unknown Bulgarian Air Force

223 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 PF 760813 Bulgarian Air Force

Next up another MiG, this one just a fuselage in a compound.

Dobroslavtzi 25-11-16

07 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 UM 516913016 Bulgarian Air Force

Time was now getting on, darkness had crept in but we still had time to do a few more MiG's before calling it a day. We decided to not bother with Dobroslavtzi AB as it was too dark and foggy to be able to do an effective circuit.

Instead we headed for Novi Iskar but the Let-29 from here seems to have moved on. We moved on towards German for the MiG here. But the place was locked up for the night and we were unable to see the aircraft, even with our full beam shining down the yard! A re-visit in the morning was called for as it wasn't too far away.

Buhovo 25-11-16

025 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 S 1015325 Bulgarian Air Force

Novi Han 25-11-16

126 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 F 541505 Bulgarian Air Force

Finding the hotel for the night we quickly checked in before heading off to a local restaurant. A few beers and some food to counter the effects of the Bulgarian (pot holed) roads. That and Dazza was keen to try the local Rakia!