I have been holding off posting these until possible publication which didnt happen so here goes.
On Saturday 11th October 2014, a Air show was held over the skies of Sofia in Bulgaria
The event was organised by the Bulgarian Air Force to showcase the Military, make the Public more aware of the service and recruitment purposes.
With the large Spanish Air show celebrations the same Weekend only a hand full of enthusiasts made it to Sofia.
I met up with Koen from the Netherlands to enjoy a few Days away.
The static line up included every type of Aircraft in the Bulgarian Air Force inventory.
MiG-21, MiG-29, Su-25, PC- 9M, PC-12, L-39ZA, AS 532AL , Mi-17, Bell 206, C-27J Spartan, An-2, An-26, An-30 and L-410 filled the apron, with all visitors able to get a hands on experience.
With the show being held at the Sofia International Airport, civilian aircraft had to be stopped from arriving and departing during the 2 hour show.
At 13:00 the flying display commenced with a Para drop from Bulgaria's latest Aircraft, the C27 Spartan transport aircraft. 2 of the 3 "Spartans" now in service took part in the Air show.
Bulgarian C27 October 11th 2014 (1) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian C27 October 11th 2014 (2) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian C27 October 11th 2014 (3) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian C27 October 11th 2014 (4) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian C27 October 11th 2014 (5) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian C27 October 11th 2014 (6) by Rich Pittman, on FlickrFolloeing the C27s, A wedge formation of 5 helicopters ( 2 AS532 Cougar, 2 Bell 206 and a Mil MI-17 ) was followed by a Mi-17 demonstrating fire extinguishing exercise "Bambi bucket" with a water drop.
This was quickly followed by a pair routine of synchronized flying by the 2 Bell 206 jet rangers.
Then the AS532 Cougars and Mil Mi-17 moved in for the extraction exercise which included providing air cover, fast roping and casualty evacuation.
The Air force and the 24th Air Base in Krumovo near Plovdiv " expects 2 new Bell 206 helicopters in the coming Months and 2 more Cougar helicopters at the beginning of the next year,” said Brigadier General Zlatko Zlatev.
Bulgarian Cougars10th October 2014 (1) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Cougars10th October 2014 (2) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian MIL Mi-17 11th October 2014 by Rich Pittman, on FlickrThe Bulgarian Air Force didn't hold back putting everything into putting on a brilliant display.
The 2 C27 returned after the helicopter displays for a pair display of tight flying, before a full stop landing. On taxi they hoisted the Bulgarian National and Air Force flags from the top hatch of the C27s. These C27 have replaced the the ageing Soviet An26 transport Aircraft.
Next up was the Air Training Group, from Dolna Mitropoliya Air Base.
The Pilatus PC9 trainer flew a solo display.
The PC9 entered service with the Bulgaria Air Force in 2004.
pc9 by Rich Pittman, on FlickrProgressing on from the PC9, the AERO L39 Albatross (recently restored to Bulgarian Air Force service)performed a pair and solo routine.
Bulgarian L39 October 2014 (3) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian L39 October 2014 (2) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian L39 October 2014 (1) by Rich Pittman, on FlickrThe show gained even more momentum as the Air Force launched 2 Mig21 Fighters. Incredible noise and after burner over the airfield demonstrating combat manoeuvres and air cover.
After a Year out of service the Bulgarian Mig21 re entered service in March 2014.
Mig21s Bulgarian Air Force October 2014 (7) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Mig21s Bulgarian Air Force October 2014 (6) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Mig21s Bulgarian Air Force October 2014 (4) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Mig21s Bulgarian Air Force October 2014 (2) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Mig21s Bulgarian Air Force October 2014 (1) by Rich Pittman, on FlickrThen the Su-25 "Frogfoot" showed combat manoeuvres and attacks on ground targets in a pair, and then a single fighter demonstrated complex acrobatics at low level.
Flown by Dimitar Danev and Rado Stefanov, these SU25 currently fly from Graf Ignatievo.
Bulgarian Air Force Col. Dimitar Aleksiev Danev, Bezmer Air Base commander explains
“Bezmer Air Base is under major reconstruction, with the runway lengthened and wider taxi ways.
We shall be able to receive C5, hot cargo and a new ramp will be installed for up to 12 C130 Hercules"
Bulgarian SU25 October 11th 2014 (6) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian SU25 October 11th 2014 (5) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian SU25 October 11th 2014 (3) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian SU25 October 11th 2014 (1) by Rich Pittman, on FlickrThe SU25 departed and then a 2 ship of Mig29s took off to demonstrate a dogfight over the field
Lyubomir Slavov and Nikolay Rusev demonstrated a tight sequence of turning and burning.
This Year marks the 25th Year of Mig29 flying within the Bulgarian Air Force.
The best was saved till last with the Commander of Air Force Major General Rumen Radev
flying a incredible Mig29 demo! including a cobra manoeuvre.
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (19) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (18) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (16) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (15) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (14) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (13) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (12) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (11) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (10) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (9) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (8) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (7) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (6) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (5) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (4) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (3) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Mig29S 11th October 2014 (2) by Rich Pittman, on FlickrThe show concluded with a mass flypast of 2 Mig21, 2Mig 29 and 2 SU25
Bulgarian Air Force flypast October 2014 (2) by Rich Pittman, on Flickr
Bulgarian Air Force flypast October 2014 (3) by Rich Pittman, on FlickrA fantastic 2 hours on how to showcase a Air Force.
Then it was back to ops normal for the airport
Cheers Rich
