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65-582: In April 1946, Yugoslavia issued a specification for an elementary training aircraft for the Yugoslav Air Force and civil training with aero clubs. On learning of the specification, Tsvetan Lazarov  [ bg ] , chief designer of the Bulgarian State Aircraft Factory (( Bulgarian : Държавна самолетна фабрика ( Darzhavna Samoletna Fabrika (DSF)), decided to prepare a design to meet this requirement, and he obtained agreement from

130-748: A Laz-7 was retrofitted with the new engine to serve as a prototype, with these tests proving successful, and the re-engined aircraft was recommended for production as the Laz-7M. The Laz-7M , which was also known as the ZAK-1, had a revised structure, which was both lighter and stronger, and was fitted with Soviet equipment and instruments. They were largely delivered in 'B' configuration, and were armed with vz.30 machine guns. A total of 150 Laz-7M/ZAK-1s were built, together with 40 additional sets of wings for refitting to older Laz-7s. The last examples were completed in 1954. The Laz-7M, with its five-cylinder M-11FR engine enclosed by

195-685: A fixed undercarriage, but had a revised fuselage with two rows of two seats. Work on the Laz-7 was slowed to meet the deadline for delivery of the Laz-8, which made its first flight on 24 April 1959. The Laz-8, after being rebuilt as a three seater, served with the VIP flight of the Bulgarian Air Force, remaining in use until 1958. Examples from the first batch of Laz-7s were evaluated at the Peoples Air School of

260-537: A helmeted cowling, closely resembled the similarly powered early Yakovlev Yak-18 . In October 1948, the Bulgarian Air Force ordered Lazarov and his team to build a four-seat passenger derivative of the Laz-7, to be ready for 1 May 1949 and the 5th Congress of the Bulgarian Communist Party . The resulting aircraft, the Laz-8, was based on the Laz-7.01, and was powered by the Walter Minor 6-III engine and had

325-505: A large portion of Yugoslav territory from the occupying forces. The NOVJ partisan army included air units trained and equipped by Britain (with Supermarine Spitfires and Hawker Hurricanes , see Balkan Air Force ) and the Soviet Union (with Yak-3 , Yak-7 , Yak-9 and Ilyushin Il-2 aircraft) and a number of ad hoc units equipped with aircraft captured from German Luftwaffe and Air Force of

390-457: A number of prototypes, Yugoslav aircraft industry made Soko G-2 Galeb light-attack trainer jet, which partly replaced a number of Lockheed T-33 aircraft, and Galeb's single-seat version, Soko J-21 Jastreb light attack aircraft. The Galeb was a big success, and it was better than Aero L-29 Delfín which was the main trainer aircraft in the Warsaw Pact and a number of another air forces. Thus,

455-638: A prefix letter signifying the principal role of the aircraft, and a two-digit individual type number, e.g.: J-22. The role prefixes are: In addition, various role modification prefix and suffix letters are used, to indicate trainer, reconnaissance etc. variants of the basic design. The role modification letters are: grand total 219 fighter-bombers, 219 fighters, 32 reconnaissance planes, 65 trainer planes, 60 helicopters, 12 VIP transport planes Bulgarian Communist Party The Bulgarian Communist Party ( Bulgarian : Българска комунистическа партия (БΚП), Romanised : Bŭlgarska komunisticheska partiya ; BKP )

520-573: A total of 46 airplanes and helicopters in Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The bulk of the ex-SFRY's air force was inherited by the air force of the new Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. In 1962 the Yugoslav Air Force introduced a new aircraft designation system to identify specific aircraft types. Prior to this time, the Air Force had been mainly equipped combat aircraft of US origin, such as

585-540: A two bladed propeller. Factory tests of the first prototype continued into August 1948, after which it was delivered in Yugoslavia. It was later destroyed in a crash caused by a structural failure of its wing. A second prototype, the Laz-7.2, flew in June 1949 and differed in having a cut-down rear fuselage and more extensive plywood skinning. Bulgaria had an urgent requirement for training aircraft, needing to train replacements for

650-620: The Bulgarian People's Army . The BCP was organized on the basis of democratic centralism , a principle introduced by the Russian Marxist scholar and leader Vladimir Lenin , which entails democratic and open discussion on policy on the condition of unity in upholding the agreed-upon policies. The highest body of the BCP was the Party Congress, convened every fifth year. When the Party Congress

715-664: The Bulgarian Social Democratic Workers' Party (Narrow Socialists) ( Tesni Sotsialisti , "Narrow Socialists"), which was founded in 1903 after a split in the 10th Congress of the Bulgarian Social Democratic Workers' Party . The party's founding leader was Dimitar Blagoev , who was the driving force behind the formation of the BSDWP in 1894. It comprised most of the hardline Marxists in the Social Democratic Workers' Party. The party opposed World War I and

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780-617: The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP). A number of hardline Communists established several splinter parties with a small number of members. One of these parties, named Communist Party of Bulgaria ( Komunisticeska Partija na Balgarija ), is led by Aleksandar Paunov . The Party House (Партийния дом, Partiyniya dom ) served as the headquarters of the Bulgarian Communist Party, located at the Largo . The Party House building

845-458: The Soviet Union and remained close to its leadership after Nikita Khrushchev was deposed by Leonid Brezhnev . His rule led to relative political stability and an increase in living standards. The demands for democratic reform which swept Eastern Europe in 1989 led Zhivkov to resign. He was succeeded by a considerably more liberal Communist, Petar Mladenov . On 11 December Mladenov announced

910-438: The 'A' configuration with a machine gun in the rear cockpit and bomb racks, and the 'B' configuration, with only the wing-mounted guns. In total, 160 Walter-powered Laz-7s were built by Zavod 14 between 1949 and 1951. In 1952, with the overloaded Walter engine suffering crankshaft failures in service, it was decided to adapt the Laz-7 to use the more powerful (125 kW (168 hp)) Soviet Shvetsov M-11 FR radial engine , and

975-1039: The 105th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment from Zadar, 107th Helicopter Regiment from Mostar, 127th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment from Golubovci Airbase and 185th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment from Pula for training of its cadets. Cadets first learned how to fly on utility aircraft like the Utva 75 . The main base was in Zadar, in 105th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment, where young pilots made their first flights on Utva 75 aircraft. After they learned basics about flying in 333rd, they learned how to fly on jet aircraft in 251st on G-2 Galeb jet-trainers. When cadets mastered flying on Galeb jet trainers, they developed their flying on jet aircraft in 249th on Super Galeb trainers. After learning how to fly on jet aircraft, cadets continued their pilot education in other units dependent upon whether they became helicopter, fighter or fighter-bomber pilots. Cadets to become helicopter pilots, continued their education in

1040-731: The 107th Helicopter Regiment at Mostar, flying on Gazelle helicopters in 782nd and 783rd or on Mi-8 helicopters in 782nd. Fighter-bomber pilot cadets continued their education in 127th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment at Golubovci flying first on Super Galebs in 239th and later on J-21 Jastreb and J-22 Orao attack aircraft in 242nd Fighter pilot cadets continued their education in 185th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment at Pula where they first fly on Super Galebs in 229th and later in 129th on MiG-21PFM and MiG-21UM/US they made they first super sonic flights. After finishing studies, cadets of Air Force Military Academy "Maršal Tito" become pilots and joined their service units. The major transport aviation unit

1105-733: The 107th Helicopter Regiment from Mostar (BiH), which consisted of two squadrons, 782.HE equipped with Gazelle helicopters in SA.341 and SA.342 Gama versions and Mi-8, and 783.HE equipped with Gazelle helicopters. Squadrons of the 107th Helicopter Regiment were used by the Marshal Tito Air Force Military Academy. Also there were three helicopter squadrons of the 97th Aviation Brigade at Divulje; 676.PPAE equipped with Gazelle helicopters and CL-215 firefighting aircraft, 784.PPHE equipped with 12 Mi-14 , Ka-25 and Ka-28 anti-sub helicopters and 790.TRHE equipped with Mi-8 cargo helicopters. In

1170-435: The 119th Aviation Brigade at Niš there were 677 equipped with An-26 and An-2 aircraft which were used for training of the 63rd Paratroop Brigade. At Pleso, in 111th Aviation Brigade was 676th was also equipped with An-26 and An-2 transport aircraft. There was also one aviation squadron, 333.AE from 105th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment at Zadar which was equipped with one An-2 aircraft used for parachute training of cadets of

1235-699: The 130th with MiG-21Bis. The Fifth Corps of AF and AD had the 117th Fighter Aviation Regiment at Željava Air Base . Željava was one of the best airbases in Europe, with underground hangars, facilities for technical support, most advanced radars and communication equipment, sources of electricity, drinking water, fresh air, food, equipment, arms and fuel for staying 30 days without any connections with outside world. Units at Željava were 124th and 125th equipped with MiG-21 Bis fighter aircraft and 352nd equipped with MiG-21R reconnaissance-fighter aircraft. Ground Attack Aviation or Fighter-Bomber Aviation (Lovačko-Bombarderska Aviacija)

1300-655: The 1960s, the BCP announced some economic reforms, which allowed the free sale of production that exceeded planned amounts. After Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev took power in 1985, the BCP underwent political and economic liberalization , which promptly liquidated the party and dissolved the People's Republic of Bulgaria completely. After the end of the BCP, the party was renamed to the Bulgarian Socialist Party in 1990; though Bulgaria retained its socialist-era constitution until 1991 along with its Warsaw Pact membership until its dissolution that same year. The party's origins lay in

1365-475: The Bulgarian Air Force in 1949, and the type entered full service as a trainer in 1950. The type was also used as a light attack aircraft, equipping the Bulgarian Air Force's night light bomber regiments. From 1958, about 120 Laz-7s and Laz-7Ms were disarmed and transferred to aero clubs of the Bulgarian paramilitary organisation DOSO, where they were used for navigation training and glider tugs, remaining in use until

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1430-596: The Croats. The JRV was active providing transport and close air support missions to ground forces, but was gradually forced to abandon air bases outside of ethnic Serbian held areas. The hostilities were ended by a truce on 3 January 1992. The JRV equipment in Bosnia and Herzegovina was given to the new Republika Srpska Air Force and used during the War in Bosnia . Between 1991 and 1992, the JRV lost

1495-638: The F-84G and T-33A, and the US designation was commonly used. However, aircraft locally modified to fulfill the reconnaissance role, such as the F-86D and T-33A, were referred to as the IF-86D and IT-33A. The selection of the MiG-21, which lacked similar designation, as the new front-line fighter led to the introduction of a formal aircraft designation system. The main designation consisted of

1560-514: The French role in Algerian War of Independence . In search for alternative, Yugoslavia turned to USSR and procured Soviet MiG-21 's. Therefore, most fighter aircraft were Soviet -made MiG-21 aircraft of different versions MiG-21M, MiG-21MF and MiG-21PFM from the 1970s and MiG-21Bis from the early 1980s. In 1986, JRV had purchased from USSR one squadron of MiG-29 fighter aircraft. In that period MiG-29

1625-595: The Galeb was exported only to Libya . The JRViPVO also purchased a number of domestic UTVA-66 utility aircraft. Twenty-five Mi-4 medium transport helicopters were also obtained for helicopter units from USSR. At the end of 60's JRViPVO purchased a number of Soviet MiG-21's in MiG-21PFM fighter, MiG-21R reconnaissance and MiG-21U and US trainer versions, fifteen Polish Mi-2 light helicopters, twenty five Zlin Z.526M Trainer Masters for Aviation Military Academy at Zemunik airport and

1690-511: The Independent State of Croatia ( Messerschmitt Bf 109G , Junkers Ju 87 Stuka and many others). On 5 January 1945 the various air units of the NOVJ were formally incorporated into a new Yugoslav Air Force (Jugoslovensko Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo - JRV). At the same time, a Yugoslav fighter group which had been under Soviet instruction at Zemun airfield became operational. From 17 August 1944, when

1755-501: The JRV was further helped in late 1945 with the creation of the Aeronautical Union of Yugoslavia (Vazduhoplovnni Savez Jugoslavije - VSJ). This comprised six aeronautical unions - one for each constituent republic - with the joint aim of promoting sport flying and aeronautical techniques amongst the nation's young people. In June 1947 the first VSJ flying school at Borongaj (near Zagreb ) started training pupils. The organization of

1820-666: The JRV was merged with the air defence units operated by the Army and became known as the Air Force and Air Defence (Ratno Vazduhoplovstvo i Protivvazdušna Odbrana - JRViPVO). Relations with the Soviet Union had drastically improved after Nikita Khrushchev became Soviet leader, and in September 1962 this led to the first MiG-21F-13 interceptors being delivered. Lack of possible aircraft for replacement of US-made fighter-bomber jets and trainers induced Yugoslav domestic aircraft industry ( Soko , Utva ) to make new jet trainers and fighter-bombers. After

1885-538: The JRViPVO launched air strikes on TV transmitters and Slovenian territorial defence positions. After a political agreement, the federal forces left Slovenia. Meanwhile, armed conflict had broken out between Croatian and Serbian forces in Croatia. The JRV flew several low passes in a show of force against Croatia and launched a number of strikes. In August 1991 Serbian dominated federal government began an open war campaign against

1950-499: The Laz-7.1) made its maiden flight at DSF's Lovech factory on 12 June 1948. It was a low wing cantilever monoplane of mixed wood and metal construction. It has wooden wings, with the fuselage having a steel tube structure, with plywood and fabric covering. The crew of two sat under an enclosed canopy. A fixed tailwheel undercarriage was fitted. The aircraft was powered by a single Walter Minor 6-III six-cylinder air-cooled inline engine, rated at 118 kW (158 hp) and driving

2015-414: The Marshal Tito Air Force Military Academy. Helicopter units of JRV were equipped with about 190 home-made Gazelle helicopters in utility, attack, rescue and scout versions, 90 Soviet -made Mil Mi-8T Hip-C cargo helicopters and 12 Soviet anti-submarine helicopters. Each Corps of AF and AD had a Special Helicopter Squad ( Specijalno Helikoptersko Odeljenje - SHO) equipped with four Mi-8 helicopters unless

Lazarov Laz-7 - Misplaced Pages Continue

2080-499: The Soko factory in Mostar started serial production of the license-built Soko SA.341H which was later built in many other versions. Mi-8T helicopters replaced old Mi-4, Dragonfly, Whirlwind and Mi-2 helicopters. Fighter aviation was also modernized with new MiG-21 versions, MiG-21M, MiG-21MF and MiG-21UM. Transport capability grew with the acquisition of seventeen An-26 's. The focus in the 1980s

2145-530: The Special Helicopter Squad of the First Corps of AF and AD, which was equipped with two Aérospatiale Alouette III light utility helicopters and two Mi-8 transport helicopters. In the 138th Transport Aviation Brigade which was separate unit under direct command of JRViPVO HQ there was one transport helicopter squadron, 890.TRHE equipped with Mi-8 and Gazelle helicopters. The First Corps of AF and AD had

2210-485: The Stalinist Soviet Union. The country was immediately subjected to extreme political pressure from the Soviet Union and its Balkan neighbours, and the JRV's previous sources of aircraft, spares and fuel were cut off. The possibility of an invasion was taken seriously. The serviceability of JRV aircraft fell rapidly, with some aircraft being cannibalized to provide spares for the remainder. Renewed efforts to expand

2275-536: The Third Corps of AF and AD there were three helicopter squadrons in 119. Aviation Brigade; 712.POHE equipped with Gazelle Gama attack helicopters, 714.POHE also equipped with Gazelle Gama helicopters and 787.TRHE equipped with Mi-8 transport helicopters. In Fifth Corps of AF and AD there were also three helicopter squadrons; 711.POHE equipped with Gazelle Gama, 713.POHE also equipped with Gazelle Gama attack helicopters and 780.TRHE equipped with Mi-8 cargo helicopters. There

2340-560: The Yugoslav capital, Belgrade, and then support of Yugoslav People's Army ground forces. The 204.LAP composed two fighter squadrons, 126.LAE equipped with MiG-21 Bis aircraft and 127.LAP equipped with new MiG-29's. The base of the 204th Fighter Aviation Regiment was Batajnica Airbase near Belgrade. The Third Corps of AF and AD had the 83rd Fighter Aviation Regiment (83.LAP) based at Slatina Air Base near Priština . 83rd units were equipped with MiG-21 aircraft, 123rd with older MiG-21M and MF and

2405-480: The aircraft's wings. In order to speed deliveries, early production batches used the wing structure and fixed undercarriage of the Laz-7.02, with later batches using the intended retractable undercarriage. From the fifth production batch, stronger wing spars were fitted. As production progressed, batches varied in the armament fitted, with either T6-200 machine guns or Czechoslovak vz.30 machine guns fitted. The aircraft were delivered in two main armament configurations -

2470-535: The alliance. Suspected counter-revolutionaries were imprisoned. In 1948 the Bulgarian Social Democratic Workers Party (Broad Socialists) was forced to merge into the BKP, thus liquidating any left-wing alternative to the communists. In March 1954, one year after Joseph Stalin 's death, Chervenkov was deposed. From 1954 until 1989 the party was led by Todor Zhivkov , who was very supportive of

2535-413: The defensive operations of the ground forces and navy. The main organization were the three corps of Air Force and Air Defence; 1st Corps of AF and AD, 2nd Corps of AF and AD and 3rd Corps of AF and AD. The main component of JRV was the fighter aviation. When the second generation of fighters first appeared, Yugoslavia initially opted to buy French Mirage III fighters, but that option was dismissed due to

2600-515: The delivery of Mi-8 T medium transport helicopters had started. During the 1970s almost all the American jets were replaced by Soviet MiG-21 fighters and domestic attack/trainer jets. Many new projects, like new Utva 75 trainer, G-4 Super Galeb light attack/trainer jet commenced. The biggest project, Soko J-22 Orao attack aircraft made in cooperation with Romanian IAR , also started. 21 French-built Aérospatiale Gazelle were bought, and after that

2665-537: The first Yugoslav Spitfire Squadron became operational, until the end of the war in Europe, Yugoslav aircraft undertook 3,500 combat sorties and accumulated 5,500 hours operational flying. Thus, when peacetime came, the JRV already possessed a strong and experienced nucleus of personnel. On 12 September 1945 the Military Aviation Academy in Belgrade was established to train future pilots. The development of

Lazarov Laz-7 - Misplaced Pages Continue

2730-707: The first of 229 Republic F-84G Thunderjet fighter-bombers. Serials for the Thunderjets were from 10501 to 10729. The first eight Thunderjets, all former 48 TFW aircraft, arrived at Batajnica on June 9, 1953. At the same time, a number of Yugoslav pilots underwent jet flying training in Germany and Colorado, USA. These deliveries substantially improved the combat effectiveness of the JRV. Ten Westland Dragonfly helicopters were obtained in 1954, and in 1956, after numerous delays due to political considerations, 121 F-86E/Canadair CL-13 F.4 Sabres interceptors were delivered. In 1959

2795-505: The first squadron of new modern MiG-29 fighters was purchased from USSR, making Yugoslavia the first purchaser of it. They were a temporary solution until planned production of new Novi Avion multirole aircraft. In 1986 the JRViPVO underwent a limited reorganization which saw its operational units grouped into three regional Corps instead of the five Corps used previously. The primary air force missions were to contest enemy efforts to establish air superiority over Yugoslavia and to support

2860-475: The large numbers of pilots who had been dismissed for political unreliability since the end of the Second World War, and with an ageing training fleet, and the Bulgarian Air Force decided to adopt the Laz-7 to meet its needs. A third prototype, the Laz-7.3, was built to reflect Bulgarian requirements and experience from the first two prototypes, and flew in September 1949. This had a modified wing structure, and

2925-595: The late 1960s. The Lazarov Laz-7 and Laz-7M were the last aircraft mass-produced in Bulgaria for many years, with all aeronautical production in Bulgaria being stopped in 1954 at the orders of COMECON . Data from Monografie: Lazerov Laz-7: Část II General characteristics Performance Armament Yugoslav Air Force The Air Force and Air Defence ( Serbo-Croatian : Ратно ваздухопловство и противваздушна одбрана , Ratno vazduhoplovstvo i protivvazdušna odbrana  ; abbr. РВ и ПВО / RV i PVO ),

2990-538: The management of the factory and the Bulgarian Air Force to do so, setting up a team of designers to work on the new aircraft. The new design, the Laz-7, was submitted to the Yugoslav authorities in June 1946 for evaluation, and in August that year, it was placed second behind the Yugoslav Ikarus Aero 2 , and an order was placed for two prototypes to be delivered to Yugoslavia for testing. The first prototype (known as

3055-592: The party merged with the Bulgarian Workers' Party and took the former party's name. Following Dimitrov's sudden death, the party was led by Valko Chervenkov , a Stalinist who oversaw a number of party purges that met with Moscow 's approval. The party joined the Cominform at its inception in 1948 and conducted purges against suspected Titoites following the expulsion of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia from

3120-419: The party was giving up its guaranteed right to rule. For all intents and purposes, this was the end of Communist rule in Bulgaria , though it would be another month before the provision in the constitution enshrining the party's "leading role" was deleted. The party moved in a more moderate direction, and by the spring of 1990 was no longer a Marxist-Leninist party. That April, the party changed its name to

3185-519: The post-war JRV was based on the Soviet pattern of divisions , regiments and squadrons . Virtually all of the initial equipment was supplied by the Soviet Union – the aircraft captured during the war had quickly been retired. By the end of 1947, the JRV had reached a strength of some 40 squadrons of aircraft and had become the most powerful air arm in the Balkans. In June 1948 Yugoslavia broke off relations with

3250-492: The situation. It was agreed that a substantial shipment of aircraft would be forthcoming. In October 1951, the first de Havilland Mosquito F.B.6 fighter-bombers were supplied. The following year, 150 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt fighter-bombers were delivered from the USA under a Mutual Assistance Pact. The first jet aircraft to be operated by the JRV, four Lockheed T-33A jet trainers, arrived on 10 March 1953 and were soon followed by

3315-624: The small domestic aircraft industry met with some success – the Ikarus Aero 2 and Ikarus 213 Vihor trainers were followed into service by the Ikarus S-49 single-seat fighter and first Yugoslav jet aircraft Ikarus 451M . However, the first-line strength of the JRV was still declining, so in 1951 the Yugoslav Chief of Staff, Colonel-General Koča Popović , visited the United Kingdom to discuss

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3380-692: Was 351st equipped with IJ-21 Jastreb and IJ-22 Orao reconnaissance-attack aircraft. 105th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment at Zemunik-Zadar Airbase comprised two fighter-bomber aviation squadrons, 249th equipped with Super Galebs , 251st with Galebs and one aviation squadron, 333rd equipped with Utva 75 training aircraft, An-2 transport aircraft, Gazelle helicopters and Super Galebs. 185th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment at Pula Airport has compos of one fighter-bomber squadron, 229th equipped with G-4 Super Galebs and one fighter squadron, 129th equipped with MiG-21 aircraft in versions MiG-21PFM, MiG-21US and MiG-21UM. The Marshal Tito Air Force Military Academy used

3445-550: Was a partial replacement of J-21 and G-2 aircraft with younger Orao and Super Galebs. The air force purchased the latest version of the MiG-21, the MiG-21bis, which was the last MiG-21 model. All 93 Mi-8T transport helicopters were delivered and the Soko factory had produced about 140 license-built Gazelles in various variants. JRV created its display team, Leteće Zvezde (Flying Stars) with seven Soko J-21 Jastreb aircraft which were later replaced with seven Super Galebs. In 1987,

3510-419: Was also one mixed-aviation squadron, 333.AE from 105.LBAP which had few Gazelle helicopters used for training by the Marshal Tito Air Force Military Academy. The Army command regions also had their helicopter squadrons equipped with Gazelle Hera scout helicopters. EIV of 1st Army region was at Batajnica Airbase , EIV of 2nd Army region was at Skopski Petrovac, EIV of 3rd Army region at Pleso and EIV of Navy region

3575-513: Was at Divulje. In 1991 the deep rooted grievances that had been threatening the unity of the Federal state for some time finally came to a head when Slovenia initiated moves towards independence. At the end of June 1991 the JRViPVO was tasked with transporting soldiers and federal police to Slovenia. The Slovenes resisted this re-imposition of central control, which rapidly escalated into an armed conflict. Two air force helicopters were shot down, while

3640-666: Was equipped with IJ-21 Jastreb reconnaissance aircraft. 127th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment at Golubovci Airbase comprised two fighter-bomber squadrons, 239th equipped with G-4 Super Galebs and 242nd equipped with Jastrebs and J-22 Orao aircraft. The Fifth Corps of AF and AD had most fighter-bomber aviation units, one Aviation Brigade and two Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiments. 82nd Aviation Brigade, at Cerklje Airbase, Slovenia, had two fighter-bomber squadrons and one reconnaissance squadron. Two fighter-bomber squadrons were 237.LBAE equipped with J-21 and NJ-21 Jastrebs, and 238th equipped with J-22 and NJ-22 Orao aircraft. Reconnaissance squadron

3705-402: Was fitted with a retractable undercarriage, with the mainwheels retracting rearwards. The positions of the student and instructor were swapped, with the instructor moving to the front seat and the student (or observer) taking the rear seat. The Laz-7.3 was armed, with two 7.92 mm machine guns in the wings and provision for a third, flexibly mounted gun for the observer. Bombs could be carried under

3770-432: Was in the second plan of JRV. All attack aircraft were home-made. The new aircraft like J-22 Orao attack aircraft and G-4 Super Galeb light-attack trainer were replacing older J-21 Jastreb light-attack and G-2 Galeb light-attack trainer aircraft. The First Corps of AF and AD had two fighter-bomber squadrons and one reconnaissance squadron equipped with ground attack reconnaissance aircraft. 252nd from Batajnica Airbase

3835-625: Was not in session, the Central Committee was the highest body, but since the body normally met only once a year, most duties and responsibilities were vested in the Politburo and its Standing Committee. The party's leader held the offices of General Secretary. The BCP was committed to Marxism-Leninism , an ideology based on the writings of the German philosopher Karl Marx and of Lenin (from 1922 to 1953 as formulated by Soviet leader Joseph Stalin ). In

3900-407: Was one of the most advanced fighters, and Yugoslavia has become one of the first countries which bought MiG-29. Each Corps of AF and AD had one Fighter Aviation Regiment (Lovački Aviacijski Puk - LAP). The First Corps of AF and AD had the 204th Fighter Aviation Regiment. The role of this regiment was the guarding of the First Corps of AF and AD aerospace from possible aggression, especially protecting

3965-643: Was one of three branches of the Yugoslav People's Army , the Yugoslav military. Commonly referred-to as the Yugoslav Air Force , at its height it was among the largest in Europe. The branch was disbanded in 1992 after the Breakup of Yugoslavia . In the year 1990, the Air Force had more than 32,000 personnel, but as a result of its more technical requirements, the Air Force had less than 4,000 conscripts. By early 1945, Yugoslav Partisans under Marshal Tito had liberated

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4030-656: Was sympathetic to the October Revolution in Russia . Under Blagoev's leadership, the party applied to join the Communist International upon its founding in 1919. Upon joining the Comintern the party was reorganised as the Communist Party of Bulgaria . Georgi Dimitrov was a member of the party's Central Committee from its inception in 1919 until his death in 1949, also serving as Bulgaria's leader from 1946. In 1938

4095-489: Was the 138th Transport Aviation Brigade at Batajnica Airbase. The 138th was a separate unit under direct command of JRViPVO HQ. It consisted of three squadrons, two VIP transport aviation squadrons and one transport helicopter squadron. Transport aviation squadrons were 675th equipped with Yak-40 , Falcon 50 and 678th equipped with YAK-40 VIP aircraft and Mi-8 helicopters in VIP transport version. There were also few transport aviation units from non-Transport Brigades/Regiments. In

4160-649: Was the founding and ruling party of the People's Republic of Bulgaria from 1946 until 1990, when the country ceased to be a socialist satellite state of the Soviet Union . The party had dominated the Fatherland Front , a coalition that took power in 1944, late in World War II , after it led a coup against Bulgaria's tsarist regime in conjunction with the Red Army 's crossing of the border. It controlled its armed forces,

4225-926: Was under direct command of its Corps of AF and AD (unlike other squadrons which were under the command of their Regiments/Brigades). It was equipped with older J-21 Jastreb light attack aircraft and G-2 Galeb trainer/attack aircraft, Utva-66 utility aircraft and new G-4 Super Galebs. Under command of the 97th Aviation Brigade (which was in 1st Corps of AF and AD) there was one fighter-bomber squadron, 240th, equipped with Jastrebs and one reconnaissance squadron, 353.IAE, equipped with IJ-22 Orao reconnaissance-attack aircraft. The Third Corps of AF and AD had two major fighter-bomber aviation units, 98th Aviation Brigade and 127th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment. 98th Aviation Brigade from Skopski Petrovac in Macedonia had three squadrons, two fighter-bomber squadron and one reconnaissance squadron. Fighter-bomber squadrons were 241st equipped with J-22 Orao attack aircraft, 247th with Jastrebs and 354th IAE

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