51109 (cn/812) is an UTVA 66AM, a short take off and landing (STOL) aircraft which served in the Yugoslavian Air force from 1970 to1987. 51109 was designated as an 66AM which is the air ambulance variant of the UTVA 66 and carried out MEDEVAC operations during its service. Other designations included pilot training, paratrooper training, reconnaissance, liaison, ground attack and even firefighting. The aircraft can accommodate 2 crew and 2 passengers or 2 stretchers, can operate through challenging conditions and can also take floats or skis. 51109 was inspected by the Air Force on 5th November 1970 and entered service later that month as part of the 97th Aviation Brigade. In 1972 the aircraft was used as a glider tug during the 1972 World Championship in Yugoslavia. During the 1980s the aircraft operated as part of the 252nd Training Squadron at Batajnica Air Base which later became the 252nd Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron of the Yugoslavian Air Force.
After leaving Air Force service 51109 was designated YU-DLG and donated to a local aeroclub. Like many other UTVAs who were distributed to these clubs as a sort of partisan reserve force, they mainly served as glider tugs and parachute planes. 51109 was discharged from the 525nd on the 29th June 1987 and delivered to Osijek aeroclub. YU-DLG is often confused with 9A-DAZ which was at a point designated 51109, this aircraft remains at Osijek. During the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, only one aircraft of this type were destroyed during combat operations despite them taking an active role as many aeroclub UTVAs were pressed back into service. It is believed that YU-DLG served with the 119th Aviation Brigade seeing combat in Croatia and Bosnia in Paratroop, MEDEVAC and CSAR roles. In1992 YU-DLG was transferred from the 119th to Aeroklub Galeb. Between 1992 and 2000, YU-DLGs whereabouts and operation remains uncertain. The aircraft is believed to have been sold in the late 1990s.
In 2000 the aircraft was brought to the UK and was moved to Biggin Hill in 2004 and stored for many years occasionally on display. In 2013 the aircraft was acquired and transported to Northumberland for complete restoration. The Aircraft was transferred to the British register and designated G-CLJX and is currently under restoration.
Many thanks to Dragan Kolundžić for his extensive research.
Dragan Kolundžić, UTVA 66 Album (Author, Pancevo,2016).
