Yesterday, I wrote a lengthy part uno of my trip to the museum in Plovdiv, out near the Airport. In that post, you will find detailed instructions on how to get there if you have no access to a vehicle. Today, part dos, Iโ€™ll let you geek out at the Aviation Museum through my photographs. This post will cover the outdoor displays, the best part, the planes themselves!

Geek Out at the Aviation Museum
MiG-17 “Fresko” Frontal Fighter and Ground Attack. Made in USSR. Bulgarian Air Force 1955-1988.

Layout

The Museum is close to the Plovdiv Airport and right beside an Air Force Base. The external displays are actually butted up against the fence of the base on one side and its runway on another. There are three rows of planes and including helicopters, total 54 aircraft.

Many of the planes were used by the Bulgarian Air Force and made in the USSR, of which I know nothing about. My knowledge of aviation stems from commercial aviation. My ex-husband is a pilot, his brother is a pilot, his mom, dad and uncle all have their private licenses. I have been looking and hearing about planes for years. ๐Ÿคฃ

MiG-21PFM “Fishbed F” Supersonic Interceptor. Made in USSR. Bulgarian Air Force 1967-1990

Geeking Out

This post will mostly be a photo dump. I have no additional information to offer about these aircraft. I will say however, I was in my aviation geek out bliss. Walking around, being able to look in, touch and explore every single aircraft was incredible. These are not roped off, you have full access. The only rule is you donโ€™t climb on them.

SU-22 UM4 “Fitter” Ground attack and recon fighter. Made in USSR. Bulgarian Air Force from 1983-2004

Military Aircraft

Below is a small sampling of what you will see. I have tried my best to identify each one, please forgive me if there are errors.

Il-14T “Grate”
Transport Aircraft
Made in USSR
Bulgarian Air Force 1958-1987
MiG-23MF “Flogger B”
Made in USSR
Fighter Interceptor
Bulgarian Air Force 1978-2003

Non-military Aircraft

Again, just a small sampling of what is there to be seen.

Zlin Z-37 A Agricultural Aircraft. Made in Czechoslovakia in 1968.

L-41O UVP
Twin Engine Transport Plane
Made in Czechoslovakia
Used as a training parachute aircraft
Currently undergoing refurbishment
PZL-101 “Gavron” Multi-roll transport aircraft. Made in Poland in 1969.

Helicopters

Mi-24D “Hind D”
Armed Assult Helicopter
Made in USSR
In Service with the Bulgarian Air Force since 1979

Vehicles

At the back of the complex, is a single row with old military vehicles. These were really cool to see, but again, I have no additional information to offer, so will show you photographs.

Row of vehicles
Yes, these are out there too
Mobile HF Aerodrome Radio Station
Radar “Flat Face”
Unman Target Made in Bulgaria in 1981

Because the museum faces the runway for the Air Force base, you may be lucky and see some action. While I was there, two helicopters were in and out, and several air force planes were using the runway. What this added to my experience I cannot describe in words. The loudness, the smells, the heat of the day, it was all completely perfect.

If you love aviation, I highly recommend this museum. It was simply the coolest thing I have seen in Bulgaria thus far.

You might also enjoy:

Discover more from lyfe abroad

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading