Bulgarian OOB19 v.9

[Pibwl]

Few comments, mostly for aircraft, basing upon "Air Power of the Kingdom of Bulgaria" books vol. 3 and 4.

I'm also attaching some pictures in better quality.

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116 Dewoitine D.520 - used from 9/43 (now 7/43)


117,118 Letov S 328 - bought in summer 1939, according to Czech book on B.534 (now 3/39 - only a moment of German occupation of Czechoslovakia)

BTW: the Bulgarian name was S.328 Vrana


119 Avia B.534 - bought in summer 1939, as above (now 1/39). It sure couldn't carry 4x50 kg bombs - in Czech service only 6x10 kg or 4x20 kg, according to the mentioned book. Same for unit 267.

BTW: the name could be B.534 Dogan.

120 Ju 87D Stuka - according to Air Power... vol4, a standard load was 500 kg and 4x50 (now 250 and 4x50). Same for unit 268.


121 Ju 87B Stuka - Bulgaria didn't use 87B, but similar 87R, from autumn of 1943 only. 1000 kg bomb is doubtful - it rather couldn't carry such bomb. Should be 500 kg. It could receive an own photo, different from Ju 87D (attached). Same for 263.


123,140 PZL-P-43 - correct name is PZL-43 ("P" was generally reserved in Poland for fighters). They were named Chaika. A pre-war entry could receive an own photo (attached)

In other variant it could carry 24x12 kg bombs, if such small ones are useful (weapon 193 in Polish OOB).

124,129 PZL P-24F - Bulgaria used only P-24B, armed with 4 MGs (locally named PZL-24B Yastreb - 'hawk'). Bulgarian book doesn't mention bombs in this type (it was treated as interceptor), Polish sources state 4x12kg for this type.

126,272,278 Avia B.71 - bombs should be in kilos (up to 600 kg). Locally named Jerav or Zherav (crane).


132,274 Ju 52 - could be named Ju 52/3m Sova ('owl')

According to Air Power.. vol.4, parachute units were created in Bulgaria on 1 July 43 (now 1/43 - it would concern all para units and formations..)
BTW: is there any use of paratroop transport planes before introduction of parachute units?..


133 Aero MB200 - could be named MB200 Buhal. It could take 1400 kg bombs, so maybe other variants can be introduced (with 100 kg bombs?).

It could carry 1400 kg of bombs, so maybe it's worth to copy it with heavier bomb load, eg. 4 x 3 x 100kg (I don't know if it carried heavier ones) - maybe in a place of MB.210 below.

134 Aero MB 210 - Air Power of the Kingdom of Bulgaria doesn't mention MB 210 in Bulgarian service at all. Aero didn't manufacture Bloch MB 210 anyway, only MB 200.

135 and other Do 17 - local name was Uragan ('hurricane')

139 Dornier 11 - Bulgarian name was Do 11 Prilep ('bat')

147 Bf 109F - there's no mention on 109F in Bulgarian service, only E and G. It should be changed to E-7 with #161 MGs instead of 165, keeping bomb armament, and possibly lower speed. They were delivered in 1941. Photo could be 4036.


157 Heinkel 51 - could be named He 51 Sokol ('falcon').
According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinkel_He_51 it could only carry 6x10 kg bombs, however most web pages don't quote any bombs (maybe a basic fighter version didn't carry bombs?). Neither does Air Power.. vol.3.

158 Arado 65 - could be named Ar 65 Orel ('eagle')
It is rather doubtful, if it could carry a single 50-kg bomb (rather not typical for a fighter from that period). I couldn't find info if it carried any bombs. Air Power.. vol.3 doesn't quote any in a data sheet.

159 Heinkel 45 - could be named He 45 Shturkel.

269 Bf 109G - could receive its own 1945 photo (attached)


375 Bu-131 Jungmann - Bu-131 was an unarmed trainer. Air power... does not mention its combat usage, nor any armament. 4x50kg bombs for such plane is unbelievable, anyway. Could be a spotter, but Bulgaria had proper spotter aircraft, and didn't have to use trainers in this role.

Its icon could eventually be used for spotter aircraft KB-11 Fazan, which it's worth to create, used from 1943. It could also be used as a light bomber.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapron...ki_KB-11_Fazan
http://www.airwar.ru/enc/spyww2/kb11.html (in this link, the first 3d plan is a prototype)


376 Bf 109B Taifun - there's no info about Bf 109B in Bulgarian service. Possibly it's confused with Bf 108B Taifun (in Bulgaria named Lebed), which was an unarmed liaison and trainer plane.

377 Bf 109E Strela - delivered from 5/40 according to Air Power of the Kingdom of Bulgaria vol.4