I don’t post logs often now because they don’t seem to get recognised and it requires a lot of effort to recreate something like the below. But a new country for me so I thought it would be prudent of me to do so.
After a delayed flight to Plovdiv because of a warning error on the plane we finally landed at just past 1400 hrs local, we had a bit to do today but wanted to try to get to Sofia for Sunday:
Day 1 Saturday 26th April 2025
Plovdiv/Krumovo ‘Muzej na Aviatsiyata I VVS’;
Present with the museum here as expected were the following…
11 L29, ex BulAF
025 An2TM, ex BulAF
110 An14A, ex BulAF
01 A11, civil? [LZ-001?]
[3] [3/7247] ‘+1 1/7096’ Ar196A3, ex BulAF is this now the real identity painted as such?
[425] 4 White Il2, ex BulAF
97 Il14T, ex BulAF
43 Il28R, ex BulAF
10 L200D, ex BulAF
20 L200D, ex BulAF
062 L410UVP, ex BulAF
Unknown Li2T, not ex mil
63-899/8-899 CF104, ex THK
202 MiG15UTI, ex BulAF
71 MiG17, ex BulAF
21 MiG17PF, ex BulAF
22 MiG17PF, ex BulAF
030 MiG19S, ex BulAF
506 MiG19PT, ex BulAF
882 MiG19S, ex BulAF
936 MiG19PM, ex BulAF
05 MiG21US, ex BulAF
20 MiG21PF, ex BulAF
27 MiG21UM, ex BulAF
52 MiG21MF, ex BulAF
62 MiG21PFM, ex BulAF
088 MiG21bis, ex BulAF
501 MiG21F13, ex BulAF
613 MiG21M, ex BulAF
021 MiG23UB, ex BulAF
50 MiG23BN, ex BulAF
79 CFE 26 MiG23BN, ex BulAF
390 MiG23MLD, ex BulAF
670 CFE25 MiG23MF, ex BulAF
209 Mi2, ex BulAF
52 Mi4M, ex BulAF
53 Mi4M, ex BulAF
302 Mi8T, ex BulAF
[812] Mi14BT, ex BulAF
101 Mi24D, ex BulAF
206 Su22UM3, ex BulAF
818 Su22M4, ex BulAF
27 Tu2T, ex BulAF
30 Lim5, ex BulAF
150 Lim5, ex BulAF
‘12’ [LZ-5017] SM1, ex civil
27 Yak19P, ex BulAF
55 Yak11, ex BulAF
23 Yak23, ex BulAF
45 Yak23, ex BulAF
[800502] 02 Black Yak52, ex SovAF
A number of civil aircraft also present including a Yak50 and An24 which are more notable.
The old restoration hangar which was burnt was still there, inside was the remains of Po2/CCS13 which I presume to be LZ-K19. We did not view in to all this hangar, I guess the LAZ-7 may also still exist.
Dump compound;
[24] MiG15, ex BulAF [Fuselage on side]
[51] MiG15, ex BulAF
[111] MiG15bis, ex BulAF
[133] MiG15bis, ex BulAF [Front Fuselage]
[138] MiG15bis, ex BulAF
Unknown MiG15, ex BulAF [Fuselage on side]
54 Mi4M, ex BulAF
Plus some civil
Plovdiv/Krumovo;
A run around the base produced the following.
Gate;
51 Mi4ME, ex BulAF
Further inside;
‘01’ [LZ-5003] Mi1, ex civil
[203] Mi2, ex BulAF
[44] Mi4, ex BulAF
[301] Mi8T, ex BulAF
Ramps;
140 Mi24V, ex BulAF STORED
141 Mi24V, ex BulAF STORED
431 Mi17PP, ex BulAF STORED
[432] Mi17PP, ex BulAF STORED
133-137 Mi24Vs are now donated to Ukraine going through upgrades at GraF I believe.
146 should be in the overhaul facility at Sofia Airport.
Then present also and presumed active..
142 Mi24V
143 Mi24V ROTORLESS
144 Mi24V
418 Mi17
419 Mi17
421 Mi17
Some civil Antonov’s also stored on the civil side not noted.
Plovdiv Warehouse;
Still present is this warehouse in the town. The 4 L39s were destined for Ethiopia but this sale did not go through. Only 6 MiG21s remain with the other 2 residing at there new locations Lovech and Kamenets. All contents easily seen through glass windows, the security guard did not look too impressed.
[013] MiG21bis, ex BulAF
[127] MiG21bis, ex BulAF
[249] MiG21bis, ex BulAF
[383] MiG21bis, ex BulAF
[850] MiG21bis, ex BulAF
[25] MiG21UM, ex BulAF
[145] L39ZA, ex BulAF
[215] L39ZA, ex BulAF
[833] L39ZA, ex BulAF
[907] L39ZA, ex BulAF
Plovdiv Town;
06 MiG23BN, ex BulAF
Plovdiv Technical University;
Still present preserved in the courtyard and easily seen.
34 MiG21UM, ex BulAF
Orizari;
Preserved in the village square.
[18] MiG17PF, ex BulAF
Yakima Gruevo;
A MiG21 is pole-mounted here.
261 MiG21bis, ex BulAF
Semchinovo;
A MiG21 is preserved in the village here.
36 MiG21UM, ex BulAF
Dabravite;
Another MiG21 is preserved in this village.
13 MiG21UM, ex BulAF
Raduil;
Yet another MiG21 is preserved next to the Route 82 here.
[518] MiG21F13, ex BulAF
Novi Han;
A MiG17 is pole-mounted next to Route 8 here.
[226] MiG17, ex BulAF [ex 136]
After not many hours to play with we routed in to Sofia centre. We proceeded to have probably our favourite curry in a European capacity abroad, and we paid the price at £80 total which is expensive for Bulgaria. The Taj Mahal. Would recommend. Then on to our glamorous hotel where the receptionist informed us this was a major hotel in a major capital of Europe and €30 parking was justified
Day 2 Sunday 27th April 2025
This morning started off relatively early, although a few toilet stops were required, the extra hot curry last night was hotter than expected for a European one, one to remember for future either that or fridge the hotel bog roll.
Sofia International Airport;
A Quick look at the airport here early doors, proved fruitful on the fence when we got moved away
Active;
068 L410UVP
071 C27J
072 C27J
LZ-AOB A319-112, Government of Bulgaria
LZ-CAN Mi8PS, Government of Bulgaria
LZ-O[OI] Falcon2000, Government of Bulgaria
Stored;
070 An26, ex BulAF
066 L410UVP, ex BulAF
067 L410UVP, ex BulAF
505 Mi2, ex BulAF - [Preserved close to MediVac hangars]
Other civil stuff were present including LZ-FLA An26 with no military pedigree. We couldn’t locate ex BulAF 080 in the white scheme, should this be there still?
A walk along the perimeter fence where I kneed the mettle chain and left myself with an indent proved worthless in trying to find the derelict L29, the trees were heavily overgrown mind.
German;
A MiG21 still sits in the back yard on Route 6.
43 MiG21PFM, ex BulAF
Sofia Tech School;
A Mi2 is still abandoned outside a technical school in the south.
[501] Mi2, ex BulAF
Sofia MOD HQ;
Still present here preserved.
Unknown LAZ7 replica
[41] ‘01’ MiG19S, ex BulAF
Sofia National Museum of Military History;
We parked the car across the road from here and wandered in to the forecourt area, then went to look at the other part which you have to enter through a building but was collared to pay (we thought it was free) she said 20 Bulgarian Lev each, and after we said we are only looking at the aircraft outside it ended up costing us £1.75 each.
Still present all as expected, and I would say a nice collection.
63 L29, ex BulAF
221 MiG15UTI, ex BulAF [was 03’]
72 MiG17, ex BulAF [was ‘28’]
939 MiG19PM, ex BulAF
21 MiG21UM, ex BulAF
67 MiG21PFM, ex BulAF
365 MiG21bis, ex BulAF
501 MiG21bis, ex BulAF
525 MiG21bis, ex BulAF
26 MiG23UB, ex BulAF
29 MiG23UB, ex BulAF
070 MiG23MLA, ex BulAF
867 MiG23MLA, ex BulAF
205 Mi2, ex BulAF
[303] Mi8T, ex BulAF
108 Mi24D, ex BulAF
44+13 Tornado, ex GAF
511 Su22M4, ex BulAF
Bozhurishte Town;
A MiG17 is pole-mounted in a park here. It is close to the barracks and moved from here.
116 MiG17, ex BulAF
Bozhurishte Barracks;
Still here behind the gate, and not photographed on this occasion as we looked out of place don’t think the security expected anybody around.
[223] MiG21PF, ex BulAF
Slivnitsa;
Two Su22s are preserved at the back of the yard here and easily seen. The rest of the yard is fenced by a large fence all the way around. It is rumoured that inside the compound there are buildings, which were rumored to have the Mi-24s previously at Katunitsa, and the Su-25s previously at Bezmer stored.
[101] Su22UM3K, ex BulAF
[103] Su22UM3K, ex BulAF
Balsha;
An L29 fuselage is still stored at the industrial/quarry area here. We asked at the small gate, where there was an exceptionally loud dog and a security guard that spoke little to no English. He would not let us through, but seemed to elude to going up the next road (which was closed) or walking. We gave it a go and went for a short walk up over the hill, in uneven ground and through some trees. Right at the fence line a result we could see the Delfin. Then we heard dogs so quickly went back to the car.
[88] L29, ex BulAF
Dobroslavci Airbase;
This former military airbase has two preserved aircraft on base. I went for a walk down the ‘disused areas’ as one would call an urban explorer and bobs your uncle got what I was after.
[95] Il14G, ex BulAF
[932] ‘19’ MiG19PM, ex BulAF
It is worth noting the Il14 is completely covered in bushes growing in and through it. Looking rather bad. The MiG19 is on a pole and can be seen apparently from the south approach road from the outside. Harry claimed he had seen it from about 4 miles away.
Dobroslavci Town;
The MiG21 has moved from a yard here and is now preserved in the town next to a children’s play area.
07 MiG21UM, ex BulAF
Buhovo;
[025] MiG19S, ex BulAF
Pravets ‘Niki Rotor’;
We had heard about a location here that specialises in Gyrocopters - yes a heap of =censored=. That was not the reason for this visit. There are two dumped Mi8s outside and a couple of KA26s. The latter will almost be civil, but you never know with Mi8s. One was designated a Mi8P which we were closely inspecting before a guy in a car had come to find us, we had walked across without realising there was a small gate further up the road. I was just reading the C/N inside the Mi8 as we quickly ushered back to he car. The guy then asked us some stuff in Bulgarian in which my response was helicopter helicopter helicopter before driving off. Shame but maybe they will come out as only civil in the future.
Golyam Izvor;
A MiG15 is preserved in the central village square here.
134 MiG15UTI, ex BulAF
Malak Izvor;
Still present here.
57 L29, ex BulAF
Chervan Bryag;
Still present preserved at the former ‘Beta Factory’ which once made armoured equipment and visible from the car park of the ‘Palfinger Company’.
[125] MiG17, ex BulAF
Telish;
A MiG21 is nicely preserved in this town.
[125] ‘123’ MiG21PF
A local man from the village took great interest in us here, all I could say was MiG21!!
Dolni Dabnik,
An L29 is preserved in the park here.
84 L29, ex BulAF
Dolna Mitropoliya Airbase;
A quick drive by here to get the wrecks that were visible proved successful.
Ramps;
147 L39
xxx L39
xxx L39
xxx L39
Only 8 remain flying in the whole fleet, unfortunately the 3 above had covers on covering the numbers and no wind!!!
Preserved around the gate visible;
147 MiG17, ex BulAF
[67] L29, ex BulAF
Other aircraft preserved in and around a hangar;
[62] L29, ex BulAF
[36] MiG21PFM, ex BulAF
[130] MiG21R, ex BulAF
[90] MiG23BN, ex BulAF
[632] MiG23ML, ex BulAF
[111] Mi24D, ex BulAF
[716] Su22M4, ex BulAF
All can be seen from over the wall. We did not notice the fuselage of number 26 MiG21 which should also be here. The Mi24 and one of the MiG23s are a little more difficult to claim.
Gorna Mitropoliya;
A L29 is plinth mounted here.
[48] L29, ex BulAF
Trastenik;
A MiG17 is plinth mounted in the south-eastern outskirts here.
[96] MiG17, ex BulAF
Komarevo;
A MiG17 is plinth mounted here.
[23] MiG17, ex BulAF
That was that for the day, we headed to our pre-booked hotel in Pleven to get some well deserved rest.
Day 3 Monday 28th April 2025
After a night in our hotel close to Dolna this morning we hoped for some activity. We subsequently found out that they were not flying today, which proved a bit of a disaster so we routed to the near by civil airfield where the last active An2 now resides.
Grivitsa AirField;
A small airfield here on the outskirts of Pleven has the last An2 of the Bulgarian AirForce flying. I believe there is some form of presence here of the military, but I am not sure in what capacity. Much to our surprise the two Cabri G2 helicopters newly delivered for Bulgarian Military training and the two Zlins transferred to civil markings were also present, the latter in the hangar. So maybe it was not lost after all as we were hoping to get these 4 at Dolna anyway…
027 An2, ex BulAF?
[603] LZ-AFA Zlin242L, ex BulAF now used in training capacity for academy
[604] [LZ-AFU] Zlin242L, ex BulAF now used in training capacity for academy
LZ-AFB Cabri G2, used in training capacity for academy
LZ-AFC Cabri G2, used in training capacity for academy
A number of civil An2s were also present, none with military pedigree so I won’t list them.
Kamenets;
Two aircraft are preserved in this village. The MiG21 is a new arrival and arrived from the warehouse in Plovdiv on the report on Monday.
82 MiG17, ex BulAF
[370] c/n 94370 MiG21bis, ex BulAF
Letnitsa;
A MiG17 is pole-mounted in a field on the eastern part of the village. It is heavily scrubbed.
35 MiG17, ex BulAF
Chavdartsi;
A MiG17 is preserved here.
75 MiG17, ex BulAF
Gorsko Slivovo;
Another MiG17 can be found here at a memorial.
90 MiG17, ex BulAF
Sennik;
After a bit of a drive south through the mountainous terrain a MiG17 is pole-mounted in this small village. It’s in a rather nice camouflage which is different to the bare metal silver we had seen a lot.
69 MiG17, ex BulAF
Sevlievo;
A MiG21 is preserved in a park here.
41 MiG21PFM, ex BulAF
Karlovo;
A Mi4 cabin sits in a barracks here, it can easily be seen over the wall with no effort.
[18] Mi4, ex BulAF
Banya;
A Su22 is preserved outside a barracks in this village.
501 Su22M4, ex BulAF
Tsarimir;
A MiG19 is plinth mounted and completely derelict close to Graf AB.
[544] MiG19P, ex BulAF
Graf Ignatievo AirBase;
Not much was noted here, the views from outside are horrendous and the crash gate just over the railway track is now guarded with workers and much construction going on over this side presumably in readiness for the F16.
The only aircraft that we could see from the gate area and at the old railway station visible over a wall.
[85] L29, ex BulAF
[026] An2, ex BulAF
63 MiG23BN, ex BulAF
Also preserved and seen from the road;
[024] ‘681’ MiG19S, ex BulAF [was marked ‘1300’
We visited again the next day for some flying.
Maritsa AirField;
Preserved at this small airfield just to the south of Graf.
388 c/n 94388 MiG21bis, ex BulAF
Stroevo;
A MiG21 is plinth mounted here.
427 MiG21bis, ex BulAF
Next up was a drive to Bezmer where we scoped the base out and got an understanding of the dirt tracks and hills to get the stores Su25s and the anticipate flying that was due in the morning today.
Day 4 Tuesday 29th April 2025
Today’s aim was the active. We had good intel that Bezmer were flying in the morning from 1000L, and having already researched the airfield and tracks we knew where we were heading. We were not disappointed, I am sure Harry will post a couple of photos later.
We started off at a small collection which can all be viewed from the outside. As we stayed about 5 minutes from here in the city of Yambol.
Yambol Museum;
73 L29, ex BulAF
121 MiG15UTI, ex BulAF
‘159’ MiG17F, ex BulAF false serial? [EMOOS notes 68/ 7138 possibly 46]
503 Mi-2, ex BulAF
113 Mi24D, ex BulAF
Bezmer AirBase;
Stored in and around the old MiG17 shelter area to the NW corner are a number of Su25s and a few Su22s. There are 10 Su25s known to be stored here, they’re too big to fit in the MiG17 style shelters on base. There are also only 7 active Su25s left in the new Leopard camo scheme, these operate close to the tower and from the big maintenance hangar. The ramp as far as I can tell is not visible from the outside, maybe looking from the south of the base and tracks but the heat haze would certainly defeat you in the mornings.
We must have spent a couple of hours getting the right tracks and entering at the right place to not get stuck, the mound that overlooks the base from the north is impressive. The local villagers of Bozadzhii don’t seem to concerned, if there are any about here. It’s almost derelict to say the least.
Stored in NW corner;
502 Su22M4, ex BulAF
[612] Su22M4, ex BulAF
613 Su22M4, ex BulAF
[104] Su25K, ex BulAF [in between the two old brown camo Su25Ks ID from camo and recent image showing serial with cover blown up]
[196] Su25K, ex BulAF [In an all SPCl scheme]
[197] Su25K, ex BulAF [with 30th anniversary SPCL marks, you can just see the 3 under the Bulgarian logo]
[230] Su25K, ex BulAF [identified from similar camo pattern]
245 Su25K, ex BulAF [old brown camo]
[250] Su25K, ex BulAF [old brown camo the only one remaining]
I couldn’t see either of the Su25UBK stored, GE shows 2 more Su25s stored in this area but from our view it was blocked by the internal mound. These will be 2 of 4 [017 and 047] two seaters and [195 and 255] singletons. The other 2 have either moved on or been used a spares inside. There was too much heat haze to try the south side tracks but I don’t think with the elevation these will be any good.
None of the preserved aircraft on base can be seen, but the Lim5 is visible outside the gate.
[144] Lim5, ex BulAF
Now to the active, as expected we got a launch. 2 x single ships departed on local flying and were up just after 1000 about 10 minutes apart. Both can be seen from the mound taxiing at a distance and some lovely landing shots too.
095 Su25UBK
246 Su25K
The border police are also here and an A109 departed from their ramp on the SE side. This the one in the Red/White/Green scheme, the others all White/Green.
[511] A109E
Plovdiv AirBase;
Next up was a return to Plovdiv to try and catch some active. We had heard they would be flying but no exact times known. I won’t repeat the log from Saturday but all active Mi17s and Mi24s were still on the ramp.
We struck lucky, as we arrived shortly after 1230L 2 Cougars and 1 Mi17 departed and came back to conduct multiple fly throughs with the Bulgarian flag on rope. This rehearsals for the 3 ship flypast next week for the military parade day. I believe it is just these three involved this year unfortunately. We also arrived as 2 x Bell 206s were returning from their sorties. It was the first day of training for them in 2025!
The usual track around the back and a walk up to the fence proved fruitful. The Cougar maintenance hangar was open and 1 was also towed on the ramp. 4 x Cougars in one visit from the outside!!
Maintence Hangar;
710 AS532AL Cougar
Towed from ramp;
701 AS532AL Cougar
Flypast Rehearsals;
Mi17 [Need to check photos] 418, 419, 421 all present
702 AS532AL Cougar
708 AS532AL Cougar
The crews then switched over and they took off again, there was a few people on the fence line but we managed to evade identity.
Ramp;
Still present as above from Saturday were the 3 x MI24s and 3 x Mi17s [1 of which was part of the parade practice above]. Mi24D 144 also took off and flew a mission, much to my surprise to see a Bulgarian Hind still active in the skies of Plovdiv. Further joined by another Mi17 which I didn’t bother to write down as we had seen all 3.
03 Bell206
06 Bell206B3
Plovdiv Industrial Site;
Next stop was a drive to the place which should house 3 x helicopters including an ex Ivory Coast and Hungary Mi24 and an unknown Mi8. This a relatively new location, and as we arrived we were hopeful as the gate was open. Unfortunately, all had gone and none of the buildings close by could house such helicopters. Pastures new?
Graf Ignatievo AirBase;
As promised from yesterday a return to this base was in order. No wrecks were needed to be looked for as we had done that previously. Well what we could get anyway. We had heard that the L39s were flying today (max 3 based here with the rest at Dolna - they only have
and an afternoon evening sorties from the MiG29s. A 3 ship was supposed to depart just after 1730L but this was only 2 in the end I guess the third went tech - not surprising considering they only have 6 airworthy frames.Interestingly this base is one of the worst I have visited from the outside in Europe. It’s horrendous. We drove around the back to get in position off the runway, we must have driven down multiple tracks and one we went down one about 2 miles until we seemed to attract attention from a farmer in a red Hilux. Now it was probably nothing, and they were in the distance but something didn’t feel right, particularly as they were circling and the previous track we took a couple of elderly people had looked at us, and the day before a local shepard was also suspicious in the same area, coincidence maybe? As a result we sacked this off, left the track and too our surprise three cars were at the bottom of the track. My thoughts were they’re blocking us in here, but it was something of nothing and we drove past.
Anyway long story short, as with all Bulgarian bases to get to the other side of the base it takes about 30-40 minutes on dirt tracks and unpaved derelict roads. We made the decision to do this, as we found the perfect spot after working out landings and where to be. It worked out a treat. 20 minutes after we got there 2 x L39s returned from a local sortie.
137 L39ZA
205 L39ZA
The next sortie was the MiG29s but before this we needed to clean and tidy up the car before our flight home from Plovdiv at 2110L, already this was running late but we were conscious of the car. We positioned ourselves around the other side to get the takeoffs. To our despair they took off like a QRA launch, off the other runway away from us. We managed to get them doing some fly overs and missed approaches, as there was no time to reposition.
12 MiG29UB
31 MiG29A
That was that and it was time to head back to Plovdiv airport, with the usual dirty car and god knows what underneath. Harry decided to take us to what he claimed to be a 4.2 star restaurant in Krumovo. It’s fair to say it was a disaster. No English was spoken, so we thought translate had done us well. We didn’t really have long here, but when they bought chickens heart out for us to eat something got lost. We managed to get them to make us some chicken steak, although again this was undercooked and gristly. We soon left….
That’s it for this trip, on to the next
, still plenty of wrecks to do in Bulgaria. I think time runs away with you over here, with the poor infrastructure and the mountainous areas and drives a lot more seemed to be feasible but in actual reality was not.Hope that’s a good read for all,
Regards
Ben Sadler
Harry Forman
But it seems you definitely got scammed every time you mentioned a price 