Air Enthusiast 1998-11
D.Bernad - Rumanian 'Beagles'
Superb view of an Il-28B in 1964. At this stage, the all-silver bomber’s three-digit red tactical number was painted only on the aircraft’s fin. Later, the number appeared on the nose as well, and the aircraft received an overall pale grey scheme.
Close-up view of the forward fuselage of ‘433’, with ground personnel in the foreground at Cocargeaua (Borcea) airfield, in the summer of 1964. The bomber’s crew members have already taken their places prior to a training sortie.
An official portrait of an Il-28 observer, fully equipped with World War Two era parachute, climbing the ladder to board his aircraft. On the nose undercarriage door the first four digits of the Il-28’s construction number are marked.
Major Bujor, a distinguished pilot within the Il-28-equipped bomber unit, takes a moment to pose prior to boarding his Il-28B. Note the pilot’s sun glasses, old-fashioned leather helmet and stylish leather jacket worn atop the uniform. The port cannon, a rapid-firing 23mm NR-23, can be clearly seen.
Another shot featuring Major Bujor near Il-28B ‘Red 015’. Note the pressurised compartment of the rear gunner, who manned a long-barrelled twin-cannon, also the NR-23 type.
Diagram showing how an Il-28 could be moved by rail
A regular morning assembly of the entire personnel of Regimental 282 Aviatie de Bombardament,probably at Bucharest-Otopeni air base in late 1955. On the fin of the aircraft in the rear, an UIl-28, the tactical number ‘002’ is just discernible.
One of the few Il-28 survivors has found its way into the exhibition park of Muzeul Aviatiei (Museum of Aviation), situated in the vicinity of Bucharest-Baneasa International Airport. Although it is in a rather poor condition, the exhibit is a precious item, being one of the very few such aircraft that actually avoided the axe.
‘405’ received post-1984 markings, but only on the fin. As the museum’s staff ran out of paint, or patience, the barely visible previous national markings, painted on the rear fuselage, were left untouched.
Close-up of the nose of ‘405’, an Il-28R, showing the deplorable condition of the exhibit.