MiG-21UM

The final twoseatervariant of the Fishbed, the MiG-21UM, entered BVVS service in May of 1974 when four examples touched down at Graf Ignatievo. Seven years later the 27th and final newly acquired UM was delivered. The 36 ex-Soviet AF MiG-21bis received in 1990 were accompanied by six MiG-21UM aircraft from various productionbatches bringing the UM-total in Bulgaria to 33. Today little over a handful remain in use with the 3 IAB at Graf Ignatievo. Eight were lost in various accidents, of which five were fatal. Many UMs have weaponpylons and gunsight removed to comply with the CFE-treaty. The remaining UMs can be found at Graf Ignatievo with a small number in storage at Dobritch where the type was overhauled. They carry numbers in the range of 07 to 39.

Picture: bord 36, ex Soviet AF, soldiers on in BVVS service.