07 Sukhoi Su-27S Flanker-B (831st GvIAP)
The production Su-27, sometimes called the Su-27S (Nato designation “Flanker-B”), began to enter the Soviet Air Force (Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily, or VVS) operational service in 1985. However, manufacturing difficulties kept it from appearing in strength until 1990. The Su-27 served with both the V-PVO and Frontal Aviation. The first Su-27s off the production line went to the PVO’s 60th IAP based at Komsomol’sk-on-Amur/Dzyomgi next door to the KnAAPO plant. The unit began conversion training in February 1984 but did not receive its first Su-27 until 22 July 1985 because of the necessary revisions. Several Flankers made their way to the Combat & Conversion Training Centres, the 615th UIAP and the 594th UIAP at Savostleyka, where service pilots were trained in new aircraft. The 91st Instructional & Research Air Regiment (IIAP) in Lipetsk-2 Air Base received 12 Flanker-Bs in September 1985.
The 831st Galatskiy Red Banner order of Kutuzov Fighter Aviation Regiment (GvIAP) stationed at Mirgorod in the Poltava Oblast became the first regular VVS unit to convert to the Su-27. The first six fighters were delivered in November 1985, followed by 22 more in the first six months of 1986 and six more in autumn that same year. “52 Blue,” “54 Blue,” and “57 Blue” sit on the apron at Mirgorod Air Base in central Ukraine. The new Flanker-Bs replaced the ageing MiG-21PF/PFMs in service with the regiment. The unit served until 1 January 1992 when it was taken over by the Ukrainian Air Force (Povitryani Syly Ukrayiny, or PSU). The regiment's pilots took the oath of loyalty to the Ukrainian people and continued serving in the PSU as the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade. The unit was transferred to the Air Command of the Air Force Center on 1 August 2003 and still flies the Su-27 today.
07 Sukhoi Su-27S Flanker-B (831st GvIAP)
The production Su-27, sometimes called the Su-27S (Nato designation “Flanker-B”), began to enter the Soviet Air Force (Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily, or VVS) operational service in 1985. However, manufacturing difficulties kept it from appearing in strength until 1990. The Su-27 served with both the V-PVO and Frontal Aviation. The first Su-27s off the production line went to the PVO’s 60th IAP based at Komsomol’sk-on-Amur/Dzyomgi next door to the KnAAPO plant. The unit began conversion training in February 1984 but did not receive its first Su-27 until 22 July 1985 because of the necessary revisions. Several Flankers made their way to the Combat & Conversion Training Centres, the 615th UIAP and the 594th UIAP at Savostleyka, where service pilots were trained in new aircraft. The 91st Instructional & Research Air Regiment (IIAP) in Lipetsk-2 Air Base received 12 Flanker-Bs in September 1985.
The 831st Galatskiy Red Banner order of Kutuzov Fighter Aviation Regiment (GvIAP) stationed at Mirgorod in the Poltava Oblast became the first regular VVS unit to convert to the Su-27. The first six fighters were delivered in November 1985, followed by 22 more in the first six months of 1986 and six more in autumn that same year. “52 Blue,” “54 Blue,” and “57 Blue” sit on the apron at Mirgorod Air Base in central Ukraine. The new Flanker-Bs replaced the ageing MiG-21PF/PFMs in service with the regiment. The unit served until 1 January 1992 when it was taken over by the Ukrainian Air Force (Povitryani Syly Ukrayiny, or PSU). The regiment's pilots took the oath of loyalty to the Ukrainian people and continued serving in the PSU as the 831st Tactical Aviation Brigade. The unit was transferred to the Air Command of the Air Force Center on 1 August 2003 and still flies the Su-27 today.