a (% S Uy 0 BKOE SiUle7 &S SUH OISIU = SUWHOPolish Wings Wydawnictwo Stratus s. ¢ Sandomierz Ske. poczt. 123, 27-600 Sandomierz 1 tel. +48 (15) 833 3041 ‘www: stratusbooks.com. pl [email protected]. pl Copyright © 2009 Stratus Copyright © 2009 Dariusz Karnas All rights reserved. Apart from any far dealing for the purpose of pr- vate study, research, criticism or review, a permitted under the Copy- right, Design and Patents Act, 1988, no part ofthis publication may be ‘reproduced, stored in a retrieval sytem, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, clectrica, chemical, mechanical, optical, pho tocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission. All ‘enquiries should be addressed tothe publishee The author would like to thanks: Bartlomie Belcar, Mirostaw Caaplick, Wactaw Holys, Marek Idcor, Artur Juszccak, Robert Pycohowshi, Pawel Preymusiata Pawel Sembrat and Mirostaw Wasieleusi ‘Photo credit: Patrick Bigel, Wactaw Holys, Marek Icior,Dariuse Karnas,Andraej Rogucki, Wojciech Sankowski, Pawel Sembrat, Militaria magazine & author’ archive. ISBN 978-83-89450-96-8 Bartlomie| Belearz Artur Bukowski Artur Juszezak Layout concept Cover concept Cover ‘Marek Rys Translation Wojtek Matusiak DIP Artur Bukowski Bartlomiej Belearz. Artur Juszczak Artur Juszezak Roger Wallsgeove Colour Drawings Proofreading Druk: Wydawnictwo Diecezjalne i Drukarnia w Sandomierzu ul. Zeromskiego 4, 27-600 Sandomierz, Poland phone: +48 15 644 04 00 PRINTED IN POLAND Media partner in Poland: TROT = Wydawnictwo Sanko ul. Jastragbia 13/6, 53-148 Wroclaw (071) 338 42 89, e-mail: magazyn@sanko, wroclaw. pl cuisines POLIsH Tracks & Wheels soe eumult PP INC UNC JA. kis SD) null 350,The late 1950s/early 1960s brought about significant changes in all military services a all levels, rom strategic down to tactical. This was due to the rapid proliferation of nuclear ‘weapons, which ceased to be purely strategic. The appearance of tactical nuclear charges cause a true revolution on the bat- tlefield, radically changing the rules of combat, organisation and equipment of the troops. Communist authorities at the time made the assumption that in case of an armed con- flict Poland would field two armies, an armoured and a general ‘one, to attack in a north-westerly direction with a single large ‘nuclear corridor’. This meant that in the early 1960s Poland needed het own ‘nuclear fist’. Needless to say, this would not be an independent force. The Polish Armed Forces were seen as merely an addition and support for the Soviet nuclear forces in the area During that time it was decided that in addition to R-170 tactical missiles, Poland should also purchase 36 Su-7 aircraft to form one fighter-bomber aviation regiment, The Su-7s went to the Sth Fighter-Attack Aviation Regiment (5. PLMS2) based in Byigoszcz, which at the time was part of the 16th Fight. [Attack Aviation Division (16. DLMSz) Pavel Osipovich Sukhoi started work on a new jet-propelled swvept-wing aircraft in 1953, when his design office was reor- ganised, Previously, while working in the design office of Andrei Tupolev as his deputy, he had prepared designs of two ‘SUKHOISU-7BM Polskie Skrzydta aircraft: S-1 swept-wing front-line fighter and T-3 delta-wing {interceptor fighter. Construction ofthe first prototype of the S-1 with the AL-7 ‘engine was completed in the summer of 1955. The machine was first flown on 8 September 1955 by A. Ts. Kochetkov. The S-1 was then fitted with the more powerful AL-7F engine giv- ing a thrust of 9,310 daN. In April 1956 V. N. Makhalin flew the $-1 when he established a record for the USSR at 2,170 kr. Another test pilot, N I. Korovushkin, used the aircraft to reach an altitude of 19,100 m. The take-off weight of the S-1 was 9,423 kg. Armament consisted of three 30 mm NR-30 can- non. In the autumn of 1957 the aircraft passed state trials, and even before these were completed it was decided to start series production under the military designation Su-7, “The S-1 introduced several innovations to Soviet aircraft. These included the adjustable supersonic air intake and all-moving horizontal tail surfaces. The S-1 was succeeded by the 5-2 fighter. Few Su-7s were built as front-line fighters. At the same time Sukhoi was tasked to build a fighter-bomber. It was decided that the new aircraft would be based on the Su-7. The airframe structure was left without significant changes, but new equip ment and armament was introduced. The swept wing was retained as the best suited for transition between subsonic and supersonic speeds, without a sharp change of aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraftPolish Wings Aviation Regiment (5 PLMSz), Bydgoszcz. [EB Su-7BM c/n 5301 ‘01°, 5th Fighter-Attack uD (1, 3-5]: Su-7BM cin 5301 *01’, delivered to the 5th Fighter-Attack Aviation Regiment in Bydgoszcz on 26 June 1964, After 26 years of service, having flown over 1, 100 hours, on 29 August 1990 it was transfered to the Aircraft Depot at Mierzgcice. In October 1990 the aircraft was handed over tothe Polish Aviation Museu in Cracow ontPolskie Skrzydia Regiment in BydgoszczPolish Wings PRODUCTION DATE UNIT GN ] cove TNoris Se | Bray Bat aot [or | 31.05. 1964726.06.1968 | SMLASE | Struck ff charge cn 29 August 1990. C the MLP in Croco Js [02 [31.05 19646 06 1964 | SLAs | Sk of hrs on 29 Aug 90a scape | $303 [05 | 31.05 1964725.06 1964 | SPLaSe | stack off charge on 1 March 1991 and ansered tothe W712 in Blgosacz, Cutey on display athe | hi hase blJan Bydgoszcz with os code (5 _ | st.08 196476. 06.1968 | SLMS | Desroyedina cash on It Novenber 1970 (6 | 31.0. 1964726 06.1968 | SLMS: _| Suck charge om 18 December 189, Curent at the MLPin Crow 08 | 31.08. 96426.06.1968 | SLMS. _[ srk charge on 7 August 1980 and waned wo the COSSTWL a Olea In April 1959 E Solowyev made the irs light in the prototype of the new fighter-bomber designated the S-22. The official report from the state trials said that the specifications and armament of the $-22 far exceeded all other aircraft of similar role. ‘When introduced into series production, the S. given the military designation Su-7B (and the NATO reporting name ‘Ftter-A"). The Su-7B was a supersonic fighter-bomber and reconnaissance airraft. The Sukhoi Su-7 was subject to continuous changes and modifications. The next production version was designated the Su-7BM (S-22M; M for modifitsirovanniy). The Su-7BM hada slightly altered fuselage and modified avionics. The pitot ‘was repositioned to starboard of the centreline. The brake parachute container was fited under the fuselage The first six Polish Su-7BMs were delivered tothe Ist Flight of the Sth Fighter-Attack Aviation Regiment on 26 June 1964, The ait- craft were from the 53nd production batch. Two applied on sides of the machines, these being th [10}: Su-7BM c/n 5301 ‘01’, during engine start-up at the 5th Fight 6 factory numbers: ‘01, “02", 03°05, 06, ‘09 The numbers were applied in red. The aircraft delivered to the Ist Flight were the only «examples of the BM version used by the Polish Air Force. Polish pilots who were going to fly the Su-7s were trained at the Higher Aviation-Technical Officers’ School at Krasnodar in the USSR. Experienced officers, with a least 600-700 hours flown in Lim fighters (MiGs licence-builtin Foland) were selected. Training (on the new type was unusual in that the Russians, who did not have Su-7U two-seaters, used the two-seat MiG-21U for the purpose. The lighter and significantly more manoeuvrable MiG-21 differed a lot from the Su-7 in terms of flying char- acteristics, and Polish pilots could only make one flight in it before they moved to the single-seat Su-7s, The quality of the Cf Polish pilots is best proved by the fact that they suffered no accidents during training in the USSR. Polish Air Force Su-7s were first shown to the Polish pub lic during a parade on 22 July 1966 to celebrate 1,000 years of Poland. “Attack Aviation Regiment base in Bydgoszcz.The following year brought organisation changes to the Bydgoszcz-based unit. On 4 May 1967 the Sth Fighter Bomber Aviation Regiment (5 PLMB) was renumbered the 3rd “Pomorski’ Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment (3 PLMB). The frst Su-7BM losin Plish service was code no. 05. The acci- dent took place on 11 November 1970 during training at the Solec Kujawski icing range. The aircraft was lost when its ‘engine stalled after fring S-24 unguided missiles. The pilot, mje, laydor Olszewski, ejected safely. [11-12}: Polskie Skrzydia On 29 August 1975 an Su-7BM, code no. ‘08, flown by kpt. Stanislaw Wroblewski, suffered burst tyre during landing at Pifa, As a consequence the aircraft swung off the runway nd was seriously damaged. Its repair proved uneconomical and the ill-fated ‘09? was transferred as @ ground instructional airframe to the Polish Air Force Central Training Establishment of Technical Specialists (COSSTWL) at Olesnica.Polish Wings Bean tats ce Oe oo ae 113}: Su-7BM cin 5303 ‘03°. Struck off charge on 1 March 1991 and transferred to the Military Aircraft Works 2 (WZL-2) in Bydgoszcz. Currently ‘on display at the 2nd Air Base in Bydgoszcz witha fictitious code no ‘3117’ 114}: Su-7BM cin 5306 ‘06°. 600 I drop tanks can be seen under the fuselage. [15]: Su-7BM cin 5309 ‘09". In August 1975 the aircraft flown by kpt. Stanistaw Wreblewski suffered a burst tyre during landing at Pita and swung off the mnway. The aircraft proved damaged beyond economical repair. Struck off charge on 7 August 1980, it wus transferred as a ground instructional airframe to the Polish Air Force Central Training Establishment of Technical Specialists at Olesnica. Now itis in an aviation museum in Germany.Polish Wings zl SUKHOI SU-7BKL ‘The next version, designated the Su-7BKL (S-22K1; KL for ‘koleso-lizhniy” or ‘wheel-sk’), was fitted with additional skis on the undercarriage. This allowed the machines to oper- ate from unprepared airfields, During take-off and landing (on such landing grounds, as the wheels sank into the ground the aircraft was supported by the skis. Asa result of critical remarks by pilots regarding the too Jong landing run of the aircraft, two ribbon brake parachutes ‘were fitted in a fairing a the base of the fin. The Su-7BKL was powered by the AL-7 F-1-200 engine, The Su-7BMK was the next development version, which had, among other changes, an increased payload thanks to its strengthened structure. New Su-7s, the BKL version, arrived in Bydgoszcz. on 7 July 1966. These were 12 new machines from the 60th pro- duction batch, They had code numbers from 12 to 23 (serials 6012-6023), 3 PLMB lost its first aircraft on 9 October 1967 when the Su-7BKL code no. ‘21’ suffered a leak in the engine lubrica- tion system, which led to engine seizure. The pilot, por. Ryszard Zaperty, ejected safely. ‘Two more Su-7BKLs were delivered to the 3 PLMB on 29 January 1968. The machines came from the 65th production batch. To avoid repeating code numbers used on the earlier aircraft, three-digit codes were introduced, these match- ing the ending of the construction number. These aircraft were coded ‘515° and ‘516. These Su-7BKIs were originally built for an Arab country, as shown by stencils in English in the cockpit, These aircraft also featured a somewhat differentPolskie Skrzydta Bomber Bydgoszcz [19-24]: Su-7BKL c/n 7926 “926 Bomber Aviation Regiment in Bydgoszcz. UB-16 pods for 57 mm $-5 ung ‘missiles can be seen on outer under-wing hardpoints, On 29 August 1990 the air craft, having logged a total of 1, 720 flving hours, was delivered to the Aircraft at Mierzecice, and thence to the airfield of the Opole Flying Club, 1Polish Wings ie Aviation Regiment (5 PLMB), Bydgoszcz. [BB Sw-7BKL c/n 601414", 5th Fighter-Bomber 26]: Su-7BKL c/n 6014 ‘14, on 7 July 1966 to the 5th Fighter- Bomber Aviation Regiment in a Bydgoszcz. The aircraft has 600 1 fuel tanks on inboard under- é. wing hardpoints, and UB-16 pods for 57 mm S-5 unguided ‘missiles on outboard under-wing hhardpoints. 127]: The airerftin the photos ‘has 600 1 fel tanks on wnder- fuselage hardpoints and UB-16 ‘pods on outboard under-wing Ihardpoints. [28]: One of the differences Detween the Su-7BKL and the BM version was the fairing fortwo ribbon brake parachutes at the base ofthe fin, 12 : neat awe ee[30-32]: Su-7BKL. cin 6015 “15%, delivered on 7 July 1966 to the 5th Fighter Bomber Aviation Regiment in Bydgoszcz, UB-16 pods for 57 mm S-5 unguided missles can be seen on outer, tunder-wing hardpoints, ard 600 | fuel tanks on under fuselage hhardpoints. The aircraft was lost on 18 July 1984, kpt. Wiktor Korczyriskieecting safely. The accident was due to engine failure. Polskie Skrzydta 5th Fighter-Bomber iation Regiment (5 PLMB), Bydgoszcz. (Bi Se-7BKL c/n 6015 11 13Polish Wings aka onege hom eet [35]: Su-7BKL cin 6023 °23", delivered on 7 July 1966 to the 5th Fighter-Bornber Aviation Regiment in Bydgoszcz. In February 1971 the aircraft was delivered to | Czechoslovakia to replace a Czechoslovak machine shot down the previous July by 4 Polish pilot, kpt. Henryk Osierda. ‘Aviation Regiment (5 PLMB), Bydgoszcz. HB 8u-7BKL c/n 6021 ‘21°, 5th Fighter-Bomber (36, 37: Su-7BKL. cfn 6021 ‘21° delivered on 7 July 1966 to the 5th Fighter | Bomber Aviation Regiment in Bydgosccz. Na. ‘21° was the fist aircraft of the type lost bythe Polish Air Force. The irr suffered a leak in the engine lubrica- tion system, which led to engine seizure. The pilot, por. Ryszard Zaperty ejected | safely. The accident took place on 9 October 1967.Polskie Skrzydta [38]: APU-14 pods for seven $-3K unguided missiles can be seen on under fuselage ‘and outboard inder-wing hardpoints. Aviation Regiment (3 PLMB), Bydgoszcz. [Hill Su-7BKL c/n 7808 ‘808°, 3rd Fighter-Bomber [39, 40]: Su-7BKL cin 7808 ‘808°, delivered to the 3rd Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment in Bydgoszcz in September 1971. On 29 August 1990, having logged «total of 2, 100 flying hows, the aircraft went to the Aircraft Depot at Mieregcice ‘where it was scrapped. UB-16 pods for 57 mm S-5 unguided missiles cam be seen on under-wing and under fuselage hardpoints, see de 15Polish Wings pests 148, 49]: Attaching the FAB-250M46 HE bomb and S-5 unguided missiles in the UB-16-57U pod under the aircraft fuselage. 16 aCIN | CODE | PRODUCTIONDATE/ | UNIT | NOTES No. | DELIVERY DATE Gia |__| 34081965707. 071966 | S PLM | Stuck off charge on 18 uly 1990, Carey on display ta privat collection in ba, @@i3_| 1) __|31.031966 07071966 | SPL | Struck off charge on 17 July 1990, Cavey atthe MWPin Warsaw Go| | 51.051966/07073066 | SPLMB| Struck of charge on 16 jul 1990 and scraped eois_ [18 | 31.81966707.071966 | SPLMB | Destroyed on 18 july 1964 @is_| 16 | s1.1966707071966 | SPL | Struck off charge on 30 August 190 and scrapped air_| 7 | 34 031966/07.071966 | LAMB | Strack of charge on 17 July 1990, Cure atthe MWP in Waray ois | 18 | s1.0s1s66,/e7o71966 | SPM | Stuck of charge on 30 August 1990and sre @i9_| 19 | 3u031966,07073966 | SPLMB | Strack charge on 16 July 1990 and scrapped z jan0_|20__| 31.051966/07.071966 | SPLMB | Strack of charge on 17 jly 190 and scrapped. @2i_|21__ | s1031966707071966 | sPLMB | Destroyed on 9 October 1967 22) 181966 07071966 | 5 PLMB | Strack charge on 90 Angus 199, Carrer on diplay ata private cllction nbd 23 [23 | 0819667 07071966 | SPLMB | On26 sary 197 handed oerothe Creo AF. 6315 [sis [1019672801968 | SLAB | Destroyed on 12 june 1987 sie [516 | 101967/2901.1968 | SLM | Strack charge on 16 July 199 and scrapped 7906 | 806 | 051971 /07094971 | 3PLAM | Struck off charge on 18 December 1989 and transieredto the MLP in Cracow. Twa? | 07 | osa971 (0709971 | SLM | Srack of charge on 18 July 1990 and ransered tothe MLP in Cracow. Tao | 808 [osts7ro7ov71 | SPLMB | Stuck of charge on 9 August 190 and scrapped. 7309 [809 | 06.1971 07091971 | STEM | Stock of charge on 29 August 1990 and wansfened tothe ‘White Egle Museum at Skariyko-Kamienna 7810 [B10 | o8.1971/ 11081972 _ | 3PLMB | Deswoyed on 24 November 1982 Tei2_ [812 | o8as7i/ti.oaav72 | 3 PLM | stock off hare on 16 uly 1990 and scrapped Ta [813 | o8so7i/iLo4i972 | 3M | Suuckff charge on 18 july 1990 and scrapped Tas [815 | o8asrisiuoais72 | 3a | stock charge 30 gost 1990, Curent atthe MWP in Warsaw. ve Tale [816 [81971 u0as972 | 3 PMB | strckof hare on 21 Sepember 1990 and srapped. Tas [818 | o21971/ 01.04.1972 | 3PLMB | Stack of hare on 17 july 1990 and crapped i9_[si9 | oous71 1.04972 | 3PAMB | Strack of hare on 9 August 1990 and scrapped. [xan [a0 [oousrinioaasr2 — [3148 | Destroyed on 1 August 1984 [razr_[s2r | onss71riosav7a | SPLMB | Strack ff change on 17 july 1990 and scraped no [910 | oB:971/ut04072 | SPLM | Destoyed on 2 June 1972. Tafa | 12a97iFiuoks972 _ | SPLMB | Stuck ff charge on 29 August 190 and scrapped. tos [926 | o4t972 1.041972 _ | 3PLMB | Struck off change on 29 August 1990 and serappd. woos [90+ | 160519727 801988 | 3LMB | Seruk of charge on 16 July 1990 and crapped, | ‘adjustment of the control column artificial loading, This fact led toa different take-off technique, as the machines showed a tendency to raise the nose by themselves. Pilots who flew them called them ‘Arabs’, and they were not well liked. In February 1971 one Su-7BKL. (6023/23) was struck off charge ‘and delivered to Czechoslovakia in exchange fora Czechoslovak. machine shot down by accident the previous July during ‘the international military exercise ‘Zenit 70". On 14 July 1970 a Czechoslovak Su-7BKL was intercepted by a pair of Polish MiG- ‘2APFMs ofthe 11th Fighter Aviation Regiment (11 PLM) based in Wroclaw, One of their pilots, kpt. Henryk Osierda, had to change aircraft immediately prior to take-off. In the heat of the exercise, due to lack of another fight-ready MIG, the pilot ‘was ordered to take off in a QRA aircraft. The MiG-21 was armed with two live R-3S CAtoll-A’) missiles. The pilot of the interceptor forgot the erucial fact that instead of training pods his aircraft carried live weapons and fired a well-imed ‘missile into the Czech Su-7. The Czechoslovak pilot ejected safely from his aircraft. More Su-7 aircraft were delivered to the 3 PLMB on 7 September 1971. The four new machines, Su-7BKLs, bore ‘code nos. 806", “807”, *808", 809" and were from the 78th tion batch. In 1972 the last twelve Su-7BKLs were delivered to Bydgoszcz. On 11 April nine machines from the 78th produc- tion batch were delivered. They bore code numbers: $810"; $125 "813, ‘815; 816%; 818"; '819";*820 ‘821’. Two more aircraft, code numbers “910° and ‘911°, were from the 79th production batch. On 24 May 1972 the last of the 36 combat aireraft on order reached Bydgoszcz. It was from the 79th pro- duction batch and had code no, 926". ‘Amonth later the machine code na, ‘910" was destroyed in aacrash, This took place on 26 june 1972, and the pilot, por. Albinat Tomaszewski, was killed ‘After that crash the 3 PLMB had 32 Su-7 fighter-bomb- ts, ineluding 5 Su-7BMs and 27 Su-7BKLs. The unit also had three Su-7U combat trainers. This establishment of the rei- ‘ment was maintained for the next ten years a a5 17(50): Su-7BKL c/n 6515 ‘515°, delivered to the 3rd Fighter- Bomber Aviation Regiment in Bydgoszcz in January 1968: The aircraft was written off by a Russian pilot in a crash at Biata Podlaska on 12 June 1987. [51, 52]: Su-7BKL c/n 7820 ‘820 5 delivered tothe 3rd Fighter Bomber Aviation Regiment in Bydgoszcz on 11 April 1972. It crashed on 1 August 1984 at Nadareyce firing range. During firing of S-5 unguided missiles against ground targets mir Zdzislaw Fendrych recovered the machine too violently from «dive, causing i to flip onto its back and then spin. The aircraft hit ground ata speed of approx. 470 kh, killing the pilot. 153]: Su-7BKL cin 7812 ‘812 5, delivered to the 3rd Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment in Bydgoszcz on 11 April 1972, On 16 July 1990 the aircraft, having logged a total of 1, 860 fying hours, was delivered to the Aircraft Depot at Mierzgcce, and then sold 18Polskie Skrzydta zozsoSpdg (QNTd €) ‘wounsog onminy saquuog.-sonySiy PAE TS, ZIRL M)? THILNS porsoSphg (aWTd £) MauTay uoHmay 4aquiog “uonyty PAE E861 IsMMY | uo fo warm “oz8, O78L 4 THGL-S: HEL << “zorsoSpag “(qWTd £) ‘Wau3oy uorwsay soquiog-soySty pag ‘2861 ‘aunt Z1 uo jojrd uorssny v dq flo wanun ‘1s, s159 uP TyaL-nsPolish Wings 7 7911 ‘911° delivered to 3 PLMB in By (the head of the communist party in Poland), on 11 April 197: A rare photo to bring back the times of communist propaganda. Su-7BKL e/n with Edward Gierek raryk Jabtoriski (the President of the State Council) and Wojciech Januzelski (the Minister of Defence). The early 1980s brought a number of dangerous acci- dents, two of which ended tragically. On 24 November 1982. the Su-7BKL code no. ‘810° was lost and por. Marek Gawlowski was killed. Another Su-7BKL was lost on 18 July 1984, when kpt. Wiktor Korezyriski ejected safely from the machine code no. 15" On 12 June 1987 the Su-7BKL code no, ‘515? was lost in unusual circumstances, A Russian pilot who ferried the aircraft to the USSR for an overhaul, but who had not flown the Su-7 for a long time, forgot the type’s well known excessive fuel consumption, Having used afterburner several times at low level near Biala Podlaska, he realised he faced a fuel crisis, After unsuccessful attempts to establish communication with the air base at Biata Podlaska he was forced to eject. The unfortunate pilot suffered a serious financial loss, as he had done quite sub stantial shopping in Poland. The Soviets admitted the fault of [58]: Su-7BKLs on a forward aerodrome during an exercise in egg ings, Pig oe their own pilot and on 15 January 1988 replaced the loss with an aircraft from the 80th production batch, no, 8004. The air- ‘raft had been built in 1972 and used extensively for over ff- teen years in the Soviet Air Force In the Polish Ait Force it was given the code no. ‘804’, The changes and upgrades that this aircraft had undergone in Soviet service led to a joke among the 3 PLMB technical personnel, that the unit operated four versions of the Su-7: the Su-7U, Su-7BM, Su-7BKL and °804 Su-7s flew their last flights in the Polish Air Force during the summer of 1990, At that time 27 Su-7s (2 Su-7BMs, 21 Su-7BKLs and 4 Su-7Us) were transferred to the depot at Mierzecice, where they were scrapped. The remaining machines went, among others, to the Polish Aviation Museum in Cracow, Polish Army Museum in Warsaw (Czerniakowski Fort), ‘White Eagle’ Museum at Skarzysko-Kamienna and a private collection at Hermeskeil (Germany). Aircraft ‘818', ‘806%, 13” and ‘808? covered by masking nets.Polskie Skrzydta SUKHOI SU-7U ‘The Su-7 was the basis fora two-seat combat trainer version used for operational training and for pilot conversion train- ing, The machine was designated the Su-7U (U-22). Subsequent development versions were designated the Su-7UM (U-22M) and Su-7UMK (U-22MK). They were known in the NATO code as the *Mougik’ (On 25 September 1969 the frst two Su-7U combat trainers arrived in Bydgoszcz. The machines were from the 21st produc- tion batch and bore code numbers ‘115° and ‘116° In eptember 1971 an Su-7U, construction number 3313, was delivered to Bydgoszcz To avoid the ‘unlucky thirteen’, the ar- craft was given the code no, 331’, i. e the first rather than the last three digits of the construction number, In late 1970s Poland took delivery of more Su-7U air craft. This was connected with the conversion of the 7th Operational Reconnaissance Aviation Brigade at Powide from the II-28 (‘Beagle’) onto the Su-20 commenced in 1974, Because there was no two-seater version of the Su-20, it was decided to use the Su-7U as the training machine. The first $u-7U, c/n 3513, was delivered on 7 July 1976. This time nobody was afraid of the ‘unlucky thirteen’ and the last ree digits of the construction number were applied on [59] The frst Su-7U combat trainers were delivered to the 3rd Fighter the side as code no. *513". However, the aircraft was lost in a crash in 1981 (Cin 3513 was joined at Powidzat about the same time by another Su-7U, cin 3702, The machine received the code no. ‘702° and was approximately as old asits predecessor. The third Su-7U, c/n 3517 (Code no. 17") was delivered tothe 7th Bomber-Reconnaissance Aviation Brigade at Powidz.on 12 February 1977. (On 25 March 1977 an Su-7U was delivered to the 3 PLMB in Bydgoszcz. This was the fourth of the ‘U” version machines purchased at the time. The last Su-7U was delivered to Powidz ‘on 16 June 1984, It is intriguing that the machine had been built fourteen years earlier! The Su-7U aircraft used at Powidz were transferred to the 3 PLMB in Bydgoszcz. during March-August 1986, The 7th Bomber-Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment took delivery of its first Su-22UM3K aircraft at the time, On 23 April 1985 the 3 PLMB in Bydgoszcz lost its Su-7U code no. “115°. The accident took place during a practice sortie dropping a B-50 bomb in upward flight (the so-called ‘toss bombing’). During the flight the external fuel tanks were accidentally jettisoned and damaged the eleva- tors. The pilots, por. Struj and mjr Czerwitiski ejected safely Bomber Aviation Regiment in Bydgoszcz on 25 September 1969. They were 21st production batch machines and were given code numbers *115" (c/n 2115) and “116” (cin 2116). This photo shows the Su-7U c/n 3706 ‘706’, delivered to the 3 PLMB in Bydgoszcz on 25 March 1977 and the BKL c/n 6016 ‘6016’, delivered to the Sth Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment in Bydgoszcz on 7 July 1966. An FAB-250M46 bomb is carried on the trolley towed by the tractor.Polish Wings 2 GIN | CODE | PRODUCTION parE J | UNIT NOTES NO.” | DELIVERY DATE Diis | 11s | 061969 (25091969 | 3PM 2508196 | SLM Also used atin 2905 | 905 | 1808.970/ 16061984 | 7 PLB ‘On 24 March 198 transferred to the 3 PLM. Sruck of charge rane the Museu at Denn 2 {60}: Su-7U cn 2905 * 905, delivered to the 7th Bomber Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment at Powidz on 16 June 1984. [61, 62}: Delivery of the two-seat Su-7 version to Powidz was connected with the conversion ofthe 7th Operational Recormaissance Aviation Brigade at Powidz from the 1-28 (‘Beagle onto the Su-20 commenced in 1974, Because there was no two-seater version of the Su-20, it was decided to use the Su-7U as the training ‘machine. 905" was transfered to the 3rd Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment in Bydgoszcz in March 1986. Currently on S display at the Lubuskie Military Museum at Dreonéx. 22Polskie Skrzydia Regiment (BPLMB), Bydgoszcz 1984, 3rd Fighter-Bomber Avia i a [63-65]: Su-7U cin 3313 ‘331’, delivered to the 3 PLMB in Bydgoszca in September 1971. To avoid the ‘unlucky thirteen’, the aircraft was given the code no, ‘331°. The Su-7U ‘702? (cin 3702) delivered to 3 PLMB in Bydgoszcz in July 1976 can be seen in the background. The aircraft was used for several years by the 7 BLBR at Powidz. Currently on display at a Polish Military Museuam in Warsave 23Polish Wings ee [67]: Su-7U cin 2115 ‘115°, delivered to 3 PLMB in Bydgoszcz in September 1969. The aircraft was destroyed on 23 April 1985 during a practice sortie, During the flight external fuel tanks were accidentally jettisoned and damaged the eleva- tors. The pilots, por. Stnuj and mir Czerwirsk, eected safe [68]: Su-7U cin 2116 ‘116°, in September 1969 was frst delivered to the 3 PLMB in Bydgoszcz. The machine was transferred to Powidz fora short time, and then it returned to Bydgoszcz. On 29 November 1989 the aircraft was struck off charge and trans- to the Polish Aviation Museum (MLP) in Cracove 169: Su-7U cin 3706 ‘706°, delivered to 3 PLMB in Bydgoszcz on 25 March 1977. After thirteen years of operation it was struck off charge in July 1990 and scrapped. 24 sehPolish Wings 173}: Su-7U fn 3706 awaits take-off clearance. _ COLOURS OF SUKHOI 7 [74]: Su-7U cin 3706 ‘3706’, ppor. Kreyszytof Praybylski pre pares for a flight with instructor mjr Edward Peczka, - Aircraft delivered from the USSR were intially in natural y-LoquOE IHL 9579, 91K. UP Oz-ns EL zpimog “(Yq Td Z) mousey voumay aoupssppuno2?y-toquog 12 9579, 91FEL UP oz-ns EBPolish Wings oe All Su-20 aircraft delivered to Poland were silver {FS 17178), with red code numbers. Those numbers were applied using two styles of stencils. Following the second overhaul by the Repair Works at Baranovichi the aircraft were repainted in disruptive camouflage, intended to be the same as that used in the USSR at the time, Code numbers were re-applied in yel- low. The only exceptions were aircraft ‘6136" (white no. ) and 7125? (red), Aircraft ‘6131’, 6253? and °6255" remained silver throughout their service, because they did not undergo the sec- ‘ond major overhaul due to disintegration of the USSR ‘Comparison of individual Su-20s reveals great variety in camouflage schemes. Their colours and general layout were similar. Despite the differences in colour arrangement, three colour schemes could be identified on the Su-20s, composed of the following colours (see table on the right) ‘Undercarriage and wheel wells were initially painted light agrey FS 36293, then grey FS 36495. Wheel dises were green FS 34 138, Aerials and aerial fairings were green FS 14090. No ‘general scheme can be given for Polish Air Force Su-20s. Colours and shapes of individual areas were different on different air- craft so the Su-20 schemes have to be analysed individually for each aircraft. 1169}: Su-20R The KKR-I reconnaissance pod can be seen ‘on the underfuselage hardpoint. On the port sie ofthe fin note the 7 PLBR badge with the motto ‘Primus Vincit” (The first one wins’ T Olive green Sand Greve Pale bla n Olive Green own Sind Pale Bie ‘Green ‘Blue grey itl Pale Blue Tan Light lve Fale green ee 134082 7530450, 7536360 FMS 1535 190, 154006 7530061 1530450, 1514090 1524 10, 1535414 BHO #530061 1930450 F400 #330219 Fsi2108, FS24138 sasPolskie Skrzydia [170-172]: Su-20 c/n 74209 ‘6258’, delivered to Poland in April 1976, The aircraft made its last flight on 28 February 1997, when iipt. Graegorz Pawlowski delivered it to the WZL-2 in Bydgoszcz. The aircraft logged a total flying time of 1, 342 hrs 20 mins, 53Polish Wings opin rel 2) wiownSoy uonnray £661 apamad ad 0) aouvssppunoray-taquuog Yaz 6 | pS Kae Le “9261 PtH Hd £) moog Howry fi aounssivUUorryr-L2qulog HZ '.6S9, 6OTEL HP or nsPolskie Skrzydia 55Polish Wings eee [179]: St-20 fn 74314 "6264? and c/n 74415 "6265", 7 PLBR, Powidz. [180-182, 185]: Su-20 cin 74415 ‘6265", deliv- ered to Poland in April 1976, The machine displays the badge ofthe Powidz-based| 7 PLBR om the fn. The air craft is currently on display at the Air Force Officers Academy (WSOSP) at Deblin. me (183, 184}: 7 PLBR badge, 1991 version (officer's) and 2000 version (officer's) for the dishand- ‘ment of the regimentIh