Bulgarian Pilots and ACES

[ccj]

I am sure someone on this forum knows something about the Bulgarian Air Service in WWI.
I am searching for info on pilots, aircraft, and air battles.
I would like to know how many ACES there were and their names if possible.Does the name Popkrastev sound familiar to anyone?

charles

Popkrastev

Hi Charles,

I have a limited amount of information on the Bulgarian Air Service:

(Excerpt from Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War One)

In the Balkan War, 1912-1913, Bulgaria hastily organised an aviation corps, the pilots being chiefly foreigners, French, Russian, Italian, and British, - but no Germans. The observers were generally Bulgarian officers. This corps, though necessarily lacking in military organisation, proved very useful on several occasions. After that war, avaition was neglected till the Great War began. The corps was then reorganised, with German assistance.

Military Aviators.- The early Bulgarian aviators were trained in France and England, and latterly a number of Bulgarians were trained in flying and observing in Germany. The bulgarians themselves do not seem to be able to fly with any skill.

Early Military Aeroplanes- (Monos.) Bleriot and Bristol. (Biplanes) Albatros, Farman, and Bristol. During the 1914-1918 war the aeroplanes used by the Bulgarian Army were all of German or Austrain make, and appear to have been piloted by Germans or Austrians, juding by captures made in the Balkan war area.

I also know that the national insignia was a iron cross.
If I can dig anything else up on the Bulgarians I will be sure to post it.

Regards,

JASTA75

Hi again,

I was looking through some older postings and came across one from October 19, 2001. This is currently on page 18 of "aircraft". The title is "Bulgarian Aircraft Markings". There is a couple of websites mentioned, along with a wide variety of facts on this air service. Hope you find this informative.

Regards,

JASTA75