Type |
Werk.Nr |
Registration |
History |
Fw 58B-1 |
|
11- |
Delivered 1937 |
Fw 58B-1 |
|
|
Delivered 1937 |
|
|
|
Delivered 1939 |
|
|
|
Delivered 1939 |
|
|
|
Delivered 1939 |
|
|
|
Delivered 1939 |
|
|
|
Delivered 1939 |
|
|
|
Delivered 1939 |
Fw 58BK-3 |
3150 |
D-OXWN |
Delivered 1939 |
|
|
LZ-PBF - |
Reg. 1939 |
The earliest known involvement of the FW-58 Weihe, which is more commonly known as Gulub, (meaning Pigeon) in the Bulgarian Air Force inventory goes back to 1937. This was some time after the Air Force received the 12 Dornier Do-11c heavy bombers along with two FW-58Bs, which were delivered from Germany. The twin-engine trainer/communication aircraft also came along with 12 Arado AR-65. The Gulub as it came to be known in fact formed part of the small Army Air Force among the eight Orliaks (Air Regiments) that evolved by September 1939, the period when Germany invaded Poland. Eight FW-58 formed within the 5th Polk (air-group) assigned to the Instrument Flying School at Plovdiv. NOTE: the 5th Bomber Polk controlled two Orlyaks with a total of five Yata (squadrons) that includes one for training. The FW-58 was used for a variety of roles, the primary ones being photo mapping, instrument and multi-engines trainer roles. Eventually apart from the Liaison /trainer duties the two versions FW-58B and C-2s were armed and until 1944 were used in anti-partisan/ anti-guerilla role. This gave rise to some losses and over-work and further small-scale delivery of replacement aircraft, consisting of three FW-58 among other types, continued until 1944. So the FW-58 could be used as a light bomber, recce aircraft, and multi crew trainer. Fighter defense comprised a dorsal gun turret and a nose attachment for rapid-firing rifle-caliber anti-aircraft weapon.
The order of battle in December 1949 suggested that among the reorganized units of the now pro-Russian air force was still equipped with the FW-58with the 6th fighter attack division. In fact four FW-58s were listed operating among Tu-2T, FW-189, assigned to the Mine-Torp Aviapolk based at Balchick. Another two formed part of a contingent of the 3rd. Advanced Training Squadron based at Talish.