Poor derelict IL-2 rotting outside along with Arado Ar196

[davidwomacks]

I was looking up the IL-2 and saw this shot
Poor thing

These guys also have an Arado Ar196-A3 sitting outside. It looks to be in ok shape but still it needs to be kept inside

[John Dupre]

Looks like wartime Bulgarian markings on the Arado. I believe they were the last country to operate these in the late 1940s or early 1950s.

[airnutz]

If it's any consolation to you David, the IL-2 has recieved a new paintjob since then. The Bulgarian Air Force Museum at Krumovo when it was starting to get that paint in 2009....
http://www.targeta.co.uk/krumovo_museum.htm

search Krumovo IL-2 for current ones

[DaveM2]

These guys do what they can, and initially had to hide the Arado from authorities to prevent its scrapping not long after it was surplussed.

[Warbird Kid]

Imagine Kermit Weeks owning that Arado...

[k5083]

Actually, at the moment all we can do is imagine him owning the planes he already has!

August

[davidwomacks]

These guys do what they can, and initially had to hide the Arado from authorities to prevent its scrapping not long after it was surplussed.

Wow thats an interesting story. I'm sure their funding is next to nothing and they seem to try hard. It just makes me sad to see old warbirds baking in the sun and freezing in the snow.

[tom d. friedman]

that is just criminal to leave 2 exceedingly rare warbirds out to the elements. why can't a temporary tent be put up for both??

[Warbird Kid]

Really wish some sort of building is built soon to house the most valuable aircraft.

[airnutz]

Even a simple T-hangar set-up for the older piston engine aircraft would be a huge improvement without breaking the bank.

[bdk]

I was looking up the IL-2 and saw this shot
Poor thing

Are you sure that is an IL-2? I thought the tailcone construction of those was wood. Maybe it is an IL-10?

[DaveM2]

They have an Il-2 (initially coded 425, which seems to be this example). Can't recall if they have an IL-10. This is an old photo, it has been refurbished and now wears '44'
120 were supplied post war

[LysanderUK]

Here's a link to a section of the museum website which appears to show the Il-2 newly refurbished, although the pictures are undated.

http://www.airmuseum-bg.com/eng/Kolekci ... molet.html

[Sopwith]

I understood that the arado was supposed to be for sale about 10 years ago. I knew a couple of guys who went out to see about it from the UK, but turned out the guy selling didn't have the authority to sell, so whole thing was a waste of time.

[bdk]

They have an Il-2 (initially coded 425, which seems to be this example). Can't recall if they have an IL-10. This is an old photo, it has been refurbished and now wears '44'
120 were supplied post war

IL-10 has gear that rotate 90 degrees upon retraction whereas the IL-2 gear goes straight back like a DC-3 (I think). Makes this one look like an IL-2. I wonder if only some of the IL-2s were built with wooden tailcones. I think the FHC example has wood, doesn't it?