Three of the Bulgarian MiG-29 fighters, which are on combat duty, wear the faces of legendary pilots on their wings. What is the feeling of their heirs flying in the clouds with their images, says Emil Katsarov.
Together with the youngest Bulgarian fighter pilot Captain Georgi Yordanov in the sky over Bulgaria flies the image of the air ace from World War II Stoyan Stoyanov.
“During World War II, defending Sofia and Bulgaria, he managed to damage and shoot down 15 enemy planes,” said Capt. Georgi Yordanov from Graf Ignatievo.
A total of three Bulgarian MiG-29 fighters are depicted with the faces of legendary Bulgarian pilots who fought for the skies over the homeland. These are Radul Milkov, Stoyan Stoyanov and Nedelcho Bonchev.
“The symbolism is to know who we are, where we are going, to think with our heads and to act without fear,” said Capt. Kiril Ginev, Deputy Commander of Flight Training, Fighter Squadron in Graf Ignatievo.
Drawing on the tail of a fighter turns out to be a huge challenge – first for the flight experts themselves, who must carefully choose the place so as not to disturb the aerodynamics of the aircraft. And then – for the artist Petar Yovchev.
“There is quite a bit of space behind the wing itself, which can be stepped on. It was also quite difficult to paint,” explained Petar Yovchev.
On the Day of Bulgarian Combat Courage, the pilots are adamant: “The sky is still guarded by Bulgarian pilots with Bulgarian planes. And we are the last people to give up,” said Capt. Kiril Ginev, Deputy Commander for Flight Training.
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