MiG-21PFM

Another dozen Fishbeds found their way to Bulgaria in 1965 when the 15 IAP at Ravnets received the MiG-21PFM. These were followed by 36 examples in 1977/78 and two in 1984, all ex-Soviet AF aircraft delivered free of charge. The trainingbase at Kamenec was the last unit to operate the PFMs until their retirement in 1992. With only a single exception the PFMs received a two-digit bortnumber not connected to the manufacturer-serial. Seven MiG-21PFMs were lost in accidents, the last one crashing in October 1989. Four aircraft were exported in 1992 and 23 (!) were scrapped at Graf Ignatievo in line with the ultimate destoyer of aviation-heritage, the CFE-treaty.

Picture: MiG-21PFM 94MO08/39 at the museum in Burgas.