Central Air Force Museum Monino

The Central Air Force Museum has the largest collection of Soviet military aircraft in the world. Most fighters, bombers and helicopters that server in the Soviet Air Force are present at Monino. Many prototypes and very rare aircraft like the Tu-144, Myasischev M-50, Sukhoi T-4 and Mil Mi-12 are on display. Visiting Monino is a fantastic experience for any aviation enthousiast.

Getting there

In the past visiting Monino was a difficult undertaking for foreigners. The Musuem is located on an airbase and the military preferred that tourists stayed away. Permits needed to be arranged upfront with written approval from the air base commandant months ahead of a visit. Nowadays Monino is open to non Russians but getting there is still an adventure by it selves. Monino is located deep in the Russian forests 40 kilometres east of Moscow. Comtourist received help from Russian friends who contacted the museum and drove us to the airbase. This is probably the best way to get there but not everybody has friends in Moscow of course. Alternatives are going there by train; dictatorshipoftheair.com has written a comprehensive manual describing how to get from Moscow to Monino by train. Making a deal with a Moscow cab driver to drive to Monino seems a good alternative; do bring some directions in Russian of possible as most taxi driver will not know where the museum is. The safest but also most expensive alternative is to pre book a tour with a local travel agent like adventuretravelrussia.com. What ever way you decide to go to Monino it will be well worth it! Nothing seems to have changed in the airbase town behind the first military checkpoint since the Cold War. A Lenin monument and various aviation monuments reinforce the notion that you are walking around in a previously closed air force facility.

Mikoyan Gurevich Design Bureau

Monino has a large collection of MiG jets fighters developed by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau and later the Mikoyan Design Bureau. Some of the most famous Soviet fighters like the MiG-15, MiG-21 and MiG-25 are produced by this famous design bureau. The MiG fighters are displayed on their own field sorted by the year they were developed. Many of the MiGs at Monino are actually the first prototypes of a specific model. The MiG-9 Fargo is as first generation jet fighter that entered service in the Soviet Air Force straight after World War II. The MiG-15 became famous during the Korean War; Monino has to versions the MiG-15BIS Fagot and the MiG-15UTI Midget Trainer version. The MiG-17 Fresco is an advanced development of the MiG-15 and saw extensive service during the Vietnam War. The MiG-19 Farmer is a second generation jet fighter and was the first Soviet production aircraft that capable of supersonic speeds in level flight.

There are four MiG-21’s on display at Monino, the MiG-21 is the most produced Jet Fighter in the world and was deployed by more then 50 countries. A MiG-21PFS and MiG-21S Fishbed are second generation jet fighter. The MiG-21I Analog was fitted with scaled down Tu-144 wings to test the wing design if the Supersonic airliner. The prototype E166 also named Ye-152M broke many speed records and was intended to be a heavy fighter. A military aviation monument in the town of Monino shows two MiG-21s.

The next fighter development of the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau was the MiG-23 Flogger that was introduced in 1970, Monino owns two of these aircraft. The MiG-23 is a third generation fighter with movable wings, it was one of the first fighters to be armed with beyond visual range missiles. Monino owns the first MiG-23 prototype named MiG Ye 232 and also the third prototype with number 231. The MiG-27 is a further development of the MiG-23 optimized for the air-to-ground role. There are also two MiG-25 Foxbat supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft with number 04 and 25.

The MiG-29 Foxhound design was based on the MiG-25, introduced in 1985 and is still in use with the Kazakh and Russian Air Forces today. The MiG-29 is a fourth generation fighter developed by the Mikoyan design bureau, Monino has three of these aircraft. The Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum A with number 01 was the first prototype introduced in 1977. The MiG-29K Fulcrum D with tail hook was the naval version of the Mig-29. The MiG-29KVP is a prototype built to test takeoff from an aircraft carrier. Another development of Mikoyan Gurevich is the MiG-105 manned test vehicle developed as orbital space plane. The MiG-105 was used to explore low-speed handling and landing.

Sukhoi Design Bureau

Besides Mikoyan Gurevich is the Sukhoi Design Bureau the other big supplier of fighter aircraft on display at Monino. Sukhoi has produced a range of excellent fighters since the 1950s of which 6 are still active in the Russian Air Force and many are on display at Monino. The Sukhoi fighters are lined up in a long row including some early prototypes. There are two Su-7 fighter bombers, the Su-7B was the first ground attack version of the Su-7 manufactured between 1960 and 1962. A requirement for the Su-7 that that it must be able to land on rough fields and snow, many versions have skids landing gear. The Su-7BKL armed with a UB-16 57 mm rocket launcher has a combination of a normal landing gear and skids to land on show. The S-26 is a Su-7 prototype used to test the ski undercarriage. The Su-9 and Su-11 are further developments based on the SU-7 only with delta wings rather a swept wings.

The Sukhoi Su-15 Flagon is a supersonic interceptor developed in the 1960s to replace the Su-11, which was becoming obsolete at that time. The Su-15 was a major part of the Soviet interceptor force until the fall of the Soviet Union. The Sukhoi Su-17 Fitter is an attack aircraft developed from the Su-7. It had a long career in Soviet, later Russian, service and was widely exported to communist and Middle Eastern air forces, under names Su-20 and Su-22. Monino displays a Su-17M3 armed with Kh-25MP air to ground missiles and a Su-17UM3 two seat trainer. The S-22I was the first Su-17 prototype converted form a production Su-7BM, first flown on 2 August 1966. The Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer is a supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft that carried the USSR’s first integrated digital navigation/attack system. It remains in service with former Soviet air forces and various air forces to which it was exported.

The Sukhoi T-6-1 was the first prototype for the Sukhoi Su-24. The Su-25 Frogfoot was the principal ground attack aircraft of the Soviet seeing extensive duty during the Afghan war. Monino has three The Sukhoi T-10 was the first prototype of the Su-27 Flanker that went in production in 1984. The Su-35 Flanker is a modernised version of the Su-27 produced since 2005.

Yakovlev Design Bureau

Four Yak fighters represent the attempt of the Soviet Union to build a successful VTOL (vertical landing and take off capacity) fighter for the Navy. The Yak-36 Freehand was a study model build to understand VTOL flight, twelve were built. Monino has two versions of the Yak-38 Forger, the Soviet VTOL fighter that looks very much like the British Hawker Harrier and was notoriously dangerous to operate. The Yak-141 Freestyle was the last Soviet attempt to build a VTOL fighter like bud the project was abandoned in 1991. There are also a Yak-40 and Yak-42 in the civilian section, a Yak-9U in the World War II section plus a Yak-24 helicopter.

Four Yak fighters represent the attempt of the Soviet Union to build a successful VTOL (vertical landing and take off capacity) fighter for the Navy. The Yak-36 Freehand was a study model build to understand VTOL flight, twelve were built. Monino has two versions of the Yak-38 Forger, the Soviet VTOL fighter that looks very much like the British Hawker Harrier and was notoriously dangerous to operate. The Yak-141 Freestyle was the last Soviet attempt to build a VTOL fighter like bud the project was abandoned in 1991. There are also a Yak-40 and Yak-42 in the civilian section, a Yak-9U in the World War II section plus a Yak-24 helicopter.

Tupolev Design Bureau

A group of Tupolev bombers are displayed in a row near the entrance of the Monino Museum ground. Some other Tupolev aircraft can be found on the museum as well. The first bomber is a Tu-4 followed by a Tu-16, Tu-22, Tu-22M1, Tu-16K and a Tu-128A. There are two variants of the Tu-16 Badger, the aircraft that was the principal Soviet strategic bomber since the 1950s. The Tu-16K-26 is a missile carrying variant of the Tu-16 equipped with two KSR-5 missiles. The next aircraft is the formidable looking supersonic Tu-22 Blinder bomber.

The Tu-22M1 Backfire was a further development on the Tu-22 that had disappointing performance. Tu-22M bombers are still in service in numbers in the Russian Air Force and Navy today. The last Tupolev aircraft in the row is the Tu-128A Fiddler, actually a long-range interceptor and not a bomber. The Tu-128 was the largest fighter ever in service in the Soviet Air Force. The Tupolev Tu-95 Bear is a bomber that was actually produced in numbers and is still active in the Russian Air Force today. The Tu-95 is a four engined Turbo Prop aircraft strategic bomber that first flew in 1952 and is expected to serve until 2040. Pictures make the newspapers now and then were NATO fighters escort a Russian Tu-95 out of European airspace. Monino also displays a Tupolev Tu-141 Strizh reconnaissance drone that looks like a cruise missile used by the Soviet Union during the 1970s.

Soviet strategic bombers

The strategic bombers displayed at Monino are probably the most spectacular exhibits of the museum besides the Tupolev Tu-144 and the Mil Mi-21 helicopter. Four giant bombers, the Myasishchev M-50, Myasishchev 3MD, Sukhoi T-4 and Tupolev Tu-95 have centre stage in the middle of the Monino ground. The bomber that directly catches the eye when entering the museum ground is the giant Myasishchev M-50 Bounder. The M-50 is a supersonic bomber that was only build as a prototype and never went in production. The Americans suspected that it actually was a nuclear powered aircraft when they learned about it existence, this intelligence was a hoax. Another very impressive aircraft is the Sukhoi T-4 another strategic bomber that never proceeded beyond prototype stage. The T-4 was made from titanium, featured a fly by wire system and had a nose cone that could be lowered during landing like the Concorde. The T-4 was never taken in production because its high cost. The Myasishchev 3MD Bison is another giant Soviet bomber that actually was taken in production and served in the Soviet Air Force. The 3MD is a customized version of the Myasishchev M-4 build to carry P-6, KSR or Kh-10 air to surface missiles, only nine 3MD aircraft were build

Lavochkin, Beriev, Ilyushin and Myasishchev Design Bureaus

Mikoyan Gurevich, Sukhoi, Yakovlev and Tupolev were the main Design Bureau for military aircraft in the Soviet Union and make up most of the collection of Monino Air Force Museum. Aircraft from other Design Bureau’s are present as well off course, Antonov and Ilyushin mainly with civilian and transport aircraft and Mil with many helicopters. Some smaller Soviet Design Bureaus represented at Monino are Lavochkin, Beriev and Myasishchev. The Lavochkin La-15 Fantail was an early Soviet jet fighter that competed with the MiG-15 to be the principal Soviet jet fighter. 235 La-15 jets were build but the Soviet Air Force preferred the MiG-15 and the La-15 was taken out of production. Another Lavochkin exhibit is the La-250 Fantail, a high altitude interceptor prototype developed in the 1950s. The La-250 was never taken in production build lessons learned during development were applied to the Tu-28. The Beriev Be-12 Mail is an impressive looking amphibious anti-submarine and maritime patrol aircraft from the 1960s that is still operational today. The Myasischev M-55 Mystic is a high altitude reconnaissance aircraft similar to the American U-2. The M-55 reached production stage during the final days of the Soviet Union and only 1 recognisance aircraft was produces before the programme was cancelled. The Ilyushin Il-28 Beagle was the first Soviet mass produced Jet Bomber. Almost 7000 Il-28 bombers were build from the 1950s and were used by the Soviet Air Force until the 1980s.

Soviet civilian and transport aircraft

A field at the far end of the Monino museum ground is home to a large number of civilian passenger and transport aircraft. Antonov is the design bureau responsible for most of the Soviet transport aircraft. Antonov is represented with An-10 Cat, An-12 Cub, An-14 Clod, An-22 Cock and An-24 Coke propeller transport aircraft. It would be great if Monino can add a An-124 or even the only existing An-225 to its collection in the future.

From the famous Tupolev passenger jets are the Tu-104 Camel, Tu-114 Cleat, Tu-124 Cookpot and the Tu-144 Charger displayed at Monino. The museum lacks a Tu-154 probably because it is still widely used in civil aviation. The Tu-114 turboprop long range airliner is a civilian version of the Tupolev Tu-95 strategic bomber. Monino has two Yakovlev jets; the Yak-40 Codling, often called the first regional jet transport aircraft and the Yak-42 Clobber the successor of the Yak-40.

Three Ilyushin passenger planes are displayed the Il-12 Coach, the Il-18 Coot and the Il-62 Classic. The Il-62 is an iconic Soviet jet airliner was produced between 1963 and 1995; the Comtourist crew flew in an Il-62 from Beijing to Pyongyang in 2004. The Beriev Be-30 Cuff is a regional airliner and utility transport aircraft developed to land in grass airstrips. The Mielec M-15 was a jet agricultural aircraft, manufactured by PZL Mielec in Poland for the USSR agricultural aviation. The M-15 had a lot of technical problems and production ceased in 1981 after 175 aircraft were built.

The Tupolev Tu-144 is the Soviet version of the Concorde, only three still exist and two are displayed in a museum. The first Tu-144 passenger flight took place in 1977 maintaining a link between Moscow and Alma Ata. The Tu-144 turned out to have to much technical problems and multiple crashed forced the Soviets to take the aircraft out of service in 1983. The Tu-144 one of the highlights of the Monino exhibition, the other Museum Tu-144 can be found in the Auto & Technik Museum Sinsheim in Germany side by side with the Concorde.

Soviet aircraft of World War II

The collection of Monino includes a large section of World War II aircraft displayed in a hangar and outside where there is a dedicated World War II section. The impressive Polikarpov I-16 was the backbone of the Soviet Air Force at the beginning of the war. This role was taken over by the Yakovlev Yak-9 during the war, the Yak-9 was equally matched against the German Messerschmitt and Focke-Wulf. The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 displayed outside is an impressive looking fighter but did not perform well against the Germans. The Lavochkin La-7 entered service in 1944 and is another great looking Soviet World War II fighter that performed well at the end of World War II. The Bereznyak-Isayev BI-1 is an experimental rocket aircraft of which only nine were build.

One of the most famous Soviet World War II aircraft is the Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik ground attack aircraft that destroyed many German tanks during the war. The Il-10 Beast displayed outside was a further development based on the Il-10 and was also used by North Korea during the Korean War. Displayed besides the Il-10 is the Petlyakov Pe-2; the aircraft that is regarded as one of the best ground attack aircraft of the war. The Ilyushin Db-3 was Soviet long range bomber that first flew in 1935 and saw extensive service during the war. Another Soviet bomber displayed at Monino is the Tupolev SB 2; one of the best bombers of the 1930s that performed well during the Spanish Civil War but was obsolete when Word War II started.

The Soviets war effort was supported by the Americans who allowed US aircraft to be license build and provided American aircraft under the Lend Lease act. Monino has two Lisunov Li-2 Cab transport aircraft that are license build versions of the DC-3. American Lend Lease aircraft used by the Soviets displayed at Monino are the Bell P-63 King Cobra fighter, Douglas A-20G Boston light bomber and B-25 Mitchell medium bomber. Many of the American build aircraft are recently new at Monino since the Soviets usually downplayed the significance of the Lend Lease program to the Soviet war effort.

Russian and Soviet pre war aircraft

The main exhibition hangar of Monino is dedicated to the history of flight with famous aircraft like the Wright, Bleriot, Voisin, Farman-30 and Sopwith. There are also some interesting pre revolution Russian and pre World War II Soviet aircraft on display. The most impressive aircraft is probably the Sikorsky Ilya Muromets; a large four engine heavy bomber used during World War I by the Russian Empire. The Nevdachin Burevestnik is an experimental ultra light motor gilder. The ANT-2 was Tupolev first all metal aircraft developed in 1924. Another experimental aircraft on display is the Tupolev ANT-25; a long range aircraft that broke many distance records. The Polikarpov Po-2 is a bi plane of which more then 40.000 were built between 1928 and 1953 making it the second most produced aircraft in the world after the Cessna 172.

Soviet experimental aircraft and balloon cars

Many of the aircraft displayed at Monino are prototypes and experimental aircraft, some of those do not really fit any of the categories above. One example is the Bartini Beriev VVA-14 vertical take off amphibious aircraft that was never taken in production. The VVA-14 was designed to fly both at high altitudes and just above sea level using ground effect. The VVA-14 displayed at Monino is the only prototype that still exists. Another interesting experimental aircraft is the Vertical Take of vehicle that is the Soviet version of the famous Rolls Royce Flying Bedstead. Also displayed in the main hangar are the stratospheric balloons Wolga and USSR-1 that were used for testing re-entry of the Vostok capsule. Some Soviet Gliders are hanging on the Hangar ceiling including the Antonov A-15.

Soviet helicopters

Most of the helicopters produced in the Soviet Union are displayed on the helicopter field of Monino. Most of the Soviet helicopters were produced by the Mil plant. Two early models are the Mil Mi-2 Hoplite produced by the WSK PZL-Swidnik plant in Poland and the Mil Mi-4 Hound transport that looks like the American H-19 Chickasaw. Monino has three variants of the Mil Mi-6 Hook heavy transport helicopter in display. The Mi-6PZh fire fighter version with a fire hose under the nose is probably the most impressive of the three.

The Mil plant has built some of the most famous helicopters of the world that are all on display at Monino. The absolute top exhibit is the Mil Mi-12 Homer; the largest helicopter in the world of which two prototypes were ever built. The Mil Mi-10 Harke was developed as a flying crane for the Army and is stunning looking helicopter with its long insect like legs. Another famous Mil design is the Mil Mi-24 Hind gunship famous for its deployment by the Red Army in Afghanistan. Monino has two versions of the Mi-24, an earlier Hind A and the familiar looking Hind E. The Mil Mi-8 Hip is the most produced helicopter in the world; it was exported to more then 50 countries and more then 17.000 models were built.

The Mil Mi-26 Halo was developed as heavy transport helicopter after the Mi-12 project was cancelled. The Mi-26 is the largest and most powerful helicopter ever to have gone into production. Monino also has a few helicopters build by other manufactures’ like the distinctive looking Kamov Ka-25 Hormone and Ka-26 Hoodlum. The Ka-25 is a Soviet naval helicopter often operating from carriers developed for anti submarine warfare. The Ka-26 is a light utility helicopter with an interchangeable cabin. The removable cabin allowed the Ka-26 to be used in ambulance, passenger-carrying and cropduster roles. The Yak-24 Horse was an attempt of the Yakovlev design bureau to produce a helicopter. The Yak-24 was introduced in 1955 bud had many flaws and only around 100 were ever produced. The American Boeing Vertol Ch-44 helicopter was built as executive transport for Russian General Secretary Nikita Kruschev in 1960.