Poltava Museum and long-range strategic aviation in Poltava

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Comments 5

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  Suzie Nardozza

  :: 03 July 2018 21:51:47

  Our tour guide Victor was marvelous . He knew the history and stats of all the aircrafts.it was very enjoyable.

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  Dmytro Korolkov

  :: 19 April 2018 20:07:56

  The unique museum! Must see place in Poltava! It's possible not only to see the unique air-crafts, but also to get inside and make photos! Also you should visit the building of museum with interesting exposition which tells us about USA/USSR operation "Frantic" during WWII.

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  Artur Voznenko

  :: 30 January 2018 16:25:49

  Amazing and interesting museum for those, who are passionate about military aircraft! Very friendly and experienced guide, who actually was a pilot of Tu-142, marine bomber, told us numerous stories and unknown facts, you would never find on the internet! Highly recommend!

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  John Naughton

  :: 14 January 2018 12:33:13

  Great display of cold war aircraft.

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  Dmytro Piddubnyi

  :: 12 December 2017 17:56:00

  One of the most underrated museums in the city. The Museum of Heavy Bomber Aviation is a museum of aviation equipment located in Poltava on the territory of the former air base "Poltava-4". Prior to 2004, the 13th Guards Dnepropetrovsk-Budapest Heavy Bomber Air Division was based at the airbase. According to the Ukrainian-American Agreement on the Elimination of Strategic Nuclear Weapons, in February 2006 the last Tu-22M3 bomber of the Ukrainian Air Force was destroyed at the Poltava military airfield. For the museum exposition, 2 bombers were retained, several more were brought from other cities. In 2007, on the territory of the former air base, a museum was created thanks to the enthusiasm of former military pilots. As of January 2014, the air museum exposition consists of 9 aircraft, air cruise missiles (KSR-2, KSR-5, X-22) and aircraft bombs weighing from 100 to 9000 kg. Aircraft Strategic planes - rocket launcher Tu-160 (according to NATO codes: Blackjack - Dubina) is a nuclear weapon carrier. The most powerful airplane in the world. The only museum exhibit in the world. Tu-95MS (according to NATO codes: Bear - "Bear"), a nuclear weapon carrier. Far-flying planes Tu-22KD (according to NATO codes: Blinder - "Boyfriend"), a nuclear weapon carrier. The first Soviet supersonic bomber. Tu-22M3 "Alexander Molodchy" (according to NATO codes: Backfire-C - "Reverse Flash-C"), a nuclear weapon carrier. Tu-16K (according to NATO codes: Badger - "Borsuk"), a nuclear weapon carrier. The first Soviet jet bomber. Fighters Su-15UM (according to NATO codes: Flagon - "Big bottle"), Soviet interceptor fighter Transport aircraft An-26 (according to NATO codes: Curl - "Vijunkiy") An-2 (according to NATO codes: Colt - "Losha") Training aircraft (training and combat aircraft) Tu-134UBL (according to NATO codes: Crusty-B - Hard-B) Aero L-29 Dolphin (Aero L-29 Delfin), (according to NATO codes: Maya - Maya) Aero L-39 Albatross (Aero L-39 Albatros) Aviation means of defeat and rescue air bombs weighing from 100 kg to 9 000 kg (models) In 1994, on the territory of the airbase "Poltava-4", the 50th anniversary of the launch of Frantik Operation , a joint Soviet-American military operation with shuttle flights of American heavy bombers Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, was celebrated for strategic purposes in Nazi Germany and its satellites. During the celebration, the following US Air Force aircraft were represented: ll Douglas KC-10A Extender, Boeing B-52H Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer. Operation Frantic was a series of seven shuttle bombing operations during World War II conducted by American aircraft based in Great Britain and Southern Italy which then landed at three Soviet airfields in Ukraine. The operation began in June, 1944 and ended in September. After meeting with Stalin on 2 February 1944, Harriman radioed back that "Stalin approves project limited to 200 bombers and six airfields." In the end only three bases were set up. In haste, the United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe established a headquarters detachment at Poltava Airfield, in Poltava region in the Ukrainian SSR in late April, 1944. Poltava was designated as USAAF Station 559 for security purposes and was thus referred to in all messages and written correspondence. Poltava was one of three Ukrainian installations operated by Headquarters, Eastern Command USAAF. The others were Pyriatyn Airfield (AAF-560) and Myrhorod Airfield (AAF-561). All three bases were situated along the Kharkov-Kiev railway and were already far behind the front. Poltava and Mirgorod were to be used by heavy bombers (B-24 Liberators, B-17 Flying Fortresses), while Piriatyn would be used for long-range escort fighters (P-51 Mustangs, P-38 Lightnings).