shot down
Tail and wings to the sides
In December 1941, after the sixth report with a request to send him to the front, Vitaly Popkov was enrolled in the 5th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (5 GvIAP). In the very first battle, he shot down his first enemy aircraft – a heavy Do-217 (Dornier). True, this happened under very curious circumstances.
In one house of a village abandoned by the Germans during the retreat from Moscow, Popkov picked up a puppy. The puppy was not only quick-witted, but also trained. Continue reading
Ivan Kozhedub
A Soviet military leader, air fighter and commander, an officer selflessly devoted to his work, Kozhedub is one of the most talented Soviet fighter pilots. Air Marshal, Three times Hero of the Soviet Union, he was awarded 2 Orders of Lenin, 7 Orders of the Red Banner and other orders and medals, both in Russia and other countries.
Three times a hero of the Soviet Union, he has 64 victories in his track record. He flew on La-5, La-5FN, La-7, Il-2, MiG-3 aircraft. Continue reading
Alexander Pokryshkin
Three times Hero of the Soviet Union, who personally shot down 59 enemy aircraft and six aircraft in a group. He flew the MiG-3, Yak-1, P-39, Aerocobra.
The genius of flying received a baptism of fire in the first days of the war. Then he was the deputy squadron commander of the 55th air regiment. There was a misunderstanding: on June 22, 1941, Pokryshkin shot down a Soviet Su-2 short-range bomber. Continue reading
