The Soko J-20 Kraguj is a single-engine, low-wing single-seat aircraft with an all metal airframe. Operationally the aircraft was used in ground attacks, close air support (CAS), reconnaissance and counter insurgency (COIN) roles owing to its speed capabilities and armament capacity. The aircraft was designed by and manufactured by SOKO in Mostar within the former Yugoslavia and first flew in 1962, entering military service in 1964. 30146 was built in 1977, serial number 030 as a second generation (P-2) variant.
On the 7th of May 1977 the aircraft was assigned to the 466th Elba (squadron) alongside 30149 (G-SOKO). 30146 served in the Yugoslav air force until 1988. During its service the aircraft was used primarily in reserve and training due to the lack of military conflict. Flying in winter conditions on December 7th 1978 flown by Sreten Milicevic, the aircraft suffered from icing on the brake and collided with another, 30106. Again during its service on May 29th 1980 flown by the pilot Shore Miha, a power line was hit during a routine group flight, the aircraft was saved and successfully landed at Brnik due to the skill and determination of the pilot.
On November 17, 1988 the General Staff of the SFRY Armed Forces made the decision to retire the Kraguj from frontline service, General Veljko Kadijević declared the aircraft obsolete and redundant in the JNA (Yugoslav armed forces). During its service in the Yugoslav forces the aircraft 30146 saw approximately 642 hours of operation.
However, in February 1989 the General Staff amended the decision and assigned seven aircraft of the 423rd to the territorial defence of Montenegro and twelve from the 474th to the territorial defence of Slovenia. The remaining sixteen aircraft including 30146 (G-BSXD) and 30149 (G-SOKO) would continue to be preserved at the MJRV (now the Aeronautical Museum Belgrade) many of which were further distributed to technical colleges. A year prior, in 1988 when the aircraft was obsoleted 30146 replaced the SOKO 522 no. 60187 as the exhibit aircraft at Veliki Radinci. 30146 was moved from the Museum of aviation in Belgrade (MJRV) to Veliki Radinci airfield for that purpose.
The Aircraft was later moved back to the MJRV and in October 1990 was sold and sent to the UK. In the UK the aircraft was bought by Jim Pearce and received the British civil registration "G-BSXD". It was later sold to Laurence McKnight in 1997. The aircraft was flown regularly in the UK but later fell into disrepair after the unfortunate decline in health of the owner and the aircraft continued to decline at Elstree airfield. The Aircraft was bought by Nick Stone (Blackstone Aviation) in 2005 and transported to Northumberland for total restoration. Following an extensive restoration the aircraft took flight in 2008. the aircraft was later sold to Simon Johnson of Airfield Aviation Ltd and extensively featured on the airshow circuit around the UK. The Aircraft remains well maintained and airworthy and has recently made its way to a new owner at Popham Airfield.
Many thanks to Dragan Kolundžić for his extensive research.
©Gordon Bain 1991
