Macedonian Air Force 2003
In June 2003 Jetwash Aviation Photo's went to Macedonia and Croatia to visit their air bases. Both air forces still operated a sizeable number of Soviet Bloc aircraft types such as Mig's, Sukhoi's and Mil helicopters. That made it all the more interesting for us, particularly as neither air force tended to venture outside of their respective borders on a regular basis. (As with our Israeli page the images on this page were taken in pre-digital days and so we apologise for the poorer quality of them)
The Macedonian Air Force was formed in March 1992 after the break up of the old Yugoslav Republic. Its only base is at Skopje-Petrovac, in the Macedonian capital of Skopje. The base also happens to be the main international airport. All former Yugoslavian Air Force aircraft were removed from Macedonia when the break up of the republic occured and so the Macedonian Air Force had to build from scratch. The first types operated were the UTVA-66 and UTVA-75, which were the only ex-JRV aircraft taken on after the split of the Yugoslav Republic.
At the time of our visit the force contained four squadrons; 101 with four Sukhoi SU-25's, 201 with twelve Mil Mi-24's, 301 with a mix of Mil Mi-8/17's and two Bell UH-1's plus 401 squadron operating Zlin 242's.
101AE (101 Aviation Squadron)
The four Sukhoi SU-25's were delivered in June 2001, marking the first combat fighters for the Macedonian Air Force.
These aircraft formed 101 Aviation Squadron and as with all other Macedonian assets are based at Skopje-Petrovec
Tail number 120, the only two-seat Sukhoi SU-25UBK operated by the Macedonian Air Force.
The SU-25's are sadly no longer in use and have been at Skopje for some time awaiting disposal.
Prior to the split of the Yugoslav Republic, Skopje saw Orao jet aircraft of the Yugoslav Air Force operate from here.
Zlin 242L two seat trainer operated by 401 Sqn. Four such aircraft were delivered in 1995 from the Czech republic.
They are used for basic training, instrument navigation training and advanced training.
201 POHE (201 Anti Armour Helicopter Squadron)
201 Helicopter Squadron operates the fourteen Mil Mi-24's operated by the Macedonian Air Force. These are a mix of twelve Mi-24V's and two Mi-24K's (a reconnaissance version of the Mi-24 attack helicopter). The Mi-24's were delivered from 2001 onwards and so at the time of our visit quite new aircraft. These aircraft played a major role in the offensive against Albanian guerrillas during 2001, a problem that even today is still ongoing.
201 POHE Mil Mi-24V on the ramp at Skopje-Petrovec
Serial 210 is one of twelve Mi-24V's operated by 201 POHE and seen in a fresh coat of paint
Mi-24V serial 209 seen flying over its home base on 23rd June 2003
Mil Mi-24V number 207 in the old camouflage scheme
301 TRHE (301 Transport Helicopter Squadron)
The Mil M-8/17's were first delivered to the Macedonian Air Force in 1994 and initially wore civilian serials due to the arms embargo put in place by the United Nations, which was subsequently lifted in 1996. The Macedonian Hips are a mix of Mi-17, Mi-8T and Mi-8MTV versions
306 is a Mil Mi-8MT 'Hip' operated by 301 Transport Sqn
A Mil Mi-17 operated by 301 TRHE. As with the Mi-24 helicopters a number of different camouflage schemes are used
on the Macedonian Hips
One of two ex-Greek Army Bell UH-1H's on charge with 301TRHE.
These as with many other Macedonian aircraft were acquired in 2001 and retain their Greek matt green camouflage
Croatian Air Force 2003
As with the Macedonian Air Force, the Croatian Air Force was formed due to the break up of the old Yugoslavia. However the Croatian Air Force was formed on 12th December 1991, which was during and not after the bloody civil war that took place. Again unlike the Macedonian Air Force some of it's aircraft took part in the war, such as the Mil Mi-24's. During this time many civilian aircraft were also pressed into service and are now no longer in use.
The main bases at the time of our visit were:-
91 ZBP at Zagreb-Pleso operating the Mig.21, Antonov An-2 & An-32 and Mil Mi-24's.
92 ZBP at Pula operating the Mig.21.
93 ZBZ at Zadar-Zemunik operating Pilatus PC-9's, UTVA-75's, Bell 206 Jetrangers, CL-415 water bombers and Aitractor AT-802's.
94 ZBL at Zagreb-Lucko operating Mil Mi-8/17's.
95 ZBD at Split operating Mil Mi-8/17's.
During its relatively short life the Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovstvo has operated a wide variety of unusual types, particularly during the civil war when many civilian aircraft were pressed into service such as Cessna and Piper types.
An immaculate CL.415 from 93 ZBZ at Zadar-Zemunik.
Four such aircraft are operated, with deliveries having commenced in 1997 but still ongoing
877 was one of three CL.415's seen on our visit to Zemunik
Air-Tractor AT-802, again operated by 855 Esk/93 ZBZ at Zadar-Zemunik for fire fighting alongside the CL.415's
This particular Air Tractor was lost in an accident on 2nd September 2004
One of twenty Pilatus PC-9M's (three PC-9's are also operated) sitting in front of the disused military control
tower at Zadar-Zemunik.
All operations are now controlled by the more modern tower on the civilian side of the base.
Bell 206B Jetranger of 93 ZBZ at it's home base of Zadar-Zemunik 26-6-2003
Ten such aircraft were delivered to the Croatian Air Force
Rarely if ever seen on foreign shores, an UTVA-75 belonging to 1 ETO/93 ZBZ based at Zadar.
At the time all but one of these aircraft carried civilian registrations.
Looking in flyable condition. An ex Yugoslav Air Force SOKO Galeb in the old HAS area at Zadar 26-6-2003
Although carrying a civilian serial this Mi-8T is in fact military. It is sitting on the ramp at Zagreb-Lucko.
Note the Mi-26 in the background, which carries a Russian serial.
Antonov An-32B number 727 on the ramp at Zagreb-Pleso. On of two present during our visit.
A Mil Mi-8MTV-1 doing an engine test after refurbishment at the adjacent Velika Gorica overhaul facility.
This particular airframe has since been written off.
One of a line of Mi-24's awaiting overhaul at Velika Gorica, parked on the airfield at Zagreb-Pleso.
Many had visible cannon shell and small arms damage from their time in the civil war, when they were flown
constantly against enemy Serbian positions.
Unmarked Mig.21bis on the ramp at Zagreb-Pleso 27-6-2003. The older Mig.21's are ex JRV aircraft.
Some of the Mig 21's are in the process of being upgraded by Aerostar in Romania and the first two such Mig.21UM's had
recently arrived at Zagreb-Pleso prior to our visit. Unfortunately we were not allowed to photograph either of them.
Mikoyan Mig.21bis seen on the Pleso ramp during our visit to the airbase on 27-6-03
Although unmarked visibly, like a lot of the Mig.21's at the time, their serials were carried in the main wheel well.
This particular example being Mig.21UM serial 160 of the based 21 ELZ/91 ZBP at Zagreb-Pleso.