176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment.

Mikhail NIKOLSKY

At Su 27 of the 237th TsPAT three times Hero of the Soviet Union I. I. Kozhedub

In March 2003, the personnel of the 237th Guards Proskurovsky Red Banner Orders of Kutuzov and Alexander Nevsky Display Center aviation technology named after I.N. Kozhedub celebrates its 65th anniversary. The history of TsPAT largely reflects the history of the Russian Air Force as a whole. Many aviation enthusiasts still believe that the 176th Kozhedubovsky regiment is based in Kubinka, which for some reason became the 237th Display Center. There is some truth in this conviction, but - only a share.The capricious lady of history, not without the help of certain high-ranking officials, wanted the TsPAT to become the heir to two fighter regiments at once - the 176th Guards and the 234th.

The end of the 30s was marked by the reforms of the Air Force 1 "KKA. Aviation regiments were formed en masse on the basis of individual squadrons. In 1938, at the Gorelovo airfield, located between Leningrad and Krasnoye Selo, on the basis of the 70th and 58th fighter and 33 The 19th Fighter Aviation Regiment was formed from the 19th Separate Reconnaissance Squadron, which became part of the 54th Light Aviation Brigade, Major Tretyakov was appointed commander of the regiment, battalion commissar Gogolev was appointed commissar, and Major Mizevich was appointed chief of staff.

The regiment included four squadrons armed with I-15bis and I-153 aircraft. In January 1939, the 1st squadron was disbanded, but a new 4th squadron was formed instead. received I-15bis aircraft. In addition, the 5th squadron, armed with 11-16 fighters, was seconded to the regiment over the state. but it was also disbanded in March 1939. Three squadrons remained in the regiment, since the 4th in February was transferred to the disposal of the Commander of the 9th Army of the North-Western Front. The regiment was brought to full strength in 1939 - in December, the 4th squadron was once again formed on I-16 aircraft.

In 1939, military tests of the I-16 fighter with M-63 engines were carried out on the basis of the regiment. On September 8, the regiment in full force (60 crews, three I-16 squadrons with M-25s and one I-15 bis squadron) flew to Ukraine. From September 17 to October 6, the 19th IAP took part in the liberation campaign against Western Ukraine. The raid amounted to 1091 hours, 1420 combat sorties were made. There were no losses. After the completion of the liberation campaign, the regiment returned to Leningrad. in Gorelovo.

MiG-3 of the 19th IAP over Leningrad

The peaceful respite did not last long. From October 30, 1939 to March 13, 1940, the pilots took part in the war with Finland. The combat score of the unit was opened "in that war not famous": in 3412 sorties, 74 locomotives were put out of action, five railway echelons were burned, two were destroyed on the ground and three enemy aircraft were destroyed in air battles over Vyborg. In April, the 19th IAP was awarded the Order of the Red Banner "for the excellent performance of command assignments on the front of the fight against the Finnish White Guard."

November 1940 brought another reorganization: the 54th Light Aviation Brigade was disbanded, and the 19th Red Banner IAP became part of the 3rd Fighter Aviation Division.

The Great Patriotic War found the regiment in its native "home" - at the Gorelovo airfield. As of June 22, 1941, the 19th IAP included four full-time squadrons and the 5th seconded squadron: 50 I-16 fighters. 20 I-153 and 15 MiG-3, 85 pilots.

The first victory in the air battle of the Great Patriotic War won by pilot Dmitry Titarenko. he will end the war in the skies of Berlin as Ivan Kozhedub's wingman. Since July 1941, the 19th IAP was part of the 7th Air Defense Fighter Corps, at the same time the regiment was transferred to the wartime state - three squadrons. MiG-3s remained in service with the 2nd squadron, and the 1st squadron received LaGG-3 fighters. Operating in the air defense system of the city on the Neva, the pilots of the regiment made 3145 sorties, conducted 415 air battles, shooting down 63 enemy aircraft. Own combat losses amounted to 57 fighters, the regiment had no non-combat losses.

On September 30, the regiment was withdrawn from the fighting, taken to rest and replenishment in Cherepovets. In November - which is a reorganization in a row: instead of three squadrons, two remained. 22 LaGG-3 fighters entered service. The 19th IAP again arrived at the front in February 1942. The regiment was based at the Gremyachevo airfield and operated as part of the 2nd reserve aviation group of the Volkhov Front. The regiment took part in the fighting until April 16. During this period, 219 sorties were made, three enemy planes were shot down in air battles, three planes were also lost on their own, two more LaGGs were killed in non-combat losses, and three pilots were killed. In early May, the regiment moved to the Volgino airfield (near Borovichi), where they began to train fighter pilots for the entire aviation of the Volkhov Front on its basis. Training Center was disbanded in July, and the regiments that were part of it were sent to the rear for reorganization. So the 19th IAP ended up at the Seim station of the Gorky region. The date September 10, 1942 stands apart in the history of the unit. Previously, the 19th IAP was an ordinary regiment of the Red Army Air Force, but from 10/19/1942 the regiment entered the personal disposal of Vasily Stalin, in special group 269th Fighter Air Division. The son of the leader, as you know, was an extraordinary man. Estimates of his activities range from extremely positive to purely negative. One thing is certain - Vasily Stalin became one of the initiators of the formation of elite fighter units. equipped with the best of the best, aces. By the end of October, the 19th IAP, transferred to a three-squadron structure, received latest fighters La-5 (35 aircraft). At this time, the regiment was in Lyubertsy. After a series of organizational upheavals (from the 269th IAD to the 210th, then to the 286th and again to the 269th), the regiment arrived at the Yelets airfield in December 1942. From December 27, 1942 to March 20, 1943, acting as part of the 269th IAD of the 2nd Air Army of the Voronezh Front, the pilots of the regiment made 1055 sorties, shooting down 35 enemy aircraft in 60 air battles (19 bombers, II fighters, 5 scouts. Own combat losses amounted to five La-5, another five fighters were defeated. Five pilots died (three in battle, two in accidents). Assault operations during the same period destroyed 136 vehicles, about 200 wagons, two batteries of anti-aircraft artillery, 8 fires were created.

At the end of March, the regiment was taken to the rear, to Morshansk. This time the rest turned out to be very long. In the summer, the personnel (without aircraft) were transferred to the Chkalovskaya airfield, the regiment entered the personal disposal of the Air Force Commander. In September, the 19th IAP received La-5FN fighters.

Autumn 1943 - not summer 1941. Pilots and technicians got the opportunity to thoroughly prepare for battles, to master new equipment. The regiment left for the front only on January 8, 1944. The pilots began combat operations on January 20, based at the Zhurbintsy airfield. Operationally, the 19th IAP was subordinate to the commander of the 2nd Air Army, which acted in the interests of the 2nd Ukrainian Front. The pilots of the regiment acted by the method of free hunting. Until May 26, 1055 sorties were made, 37 air battles were conducted, in which 47 enemy aircraft were shot down (25 fighters, 21 bombers, I reconnaissance), own combat losses amounted to nine aircraft (six pilots), non-combat - two aircraft (one pilot ). For the excellent performance of command assignments for the period from 01/20/1944 to 06/6/1944, as part of the 1st Ukrainian Front, the regiment was awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky.

In June, the regiment was relocated to the Yudichi airfield (1st Belorussian Front), now the unit was operationally subordinate to the commander of the 16th Air Army, and from January 1945 to the commander of the 3rd Fighter Air Corps, Lieutenant General E.Ya. Savitsky (the corps was part of the 16th VA). As part of the Savitsky Corps, the regiment ended the war. By order of the NPO No. 0270 dated 08/19/1944, for the combat work carried out from 06/22/1941 to 06/6/1944 (5574 sorties were completed, 172 enemy aircraft were shot down in air battles. 48 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground) the regiment was transformed into 176th Guards.

First fight on new technology the pilots of the regiment spent June 24, 1944. In a battle over Baranovichi with ten Fw-190s, the guards shot down two enemy aircraft without loss on their part. The victory was won by Andrey Baklan and Vladimir Petrov. It is possible that these were generally the first victories won on the La-7. Another air battle took place on July 7, 1944, also in the Baranovichi region. Two pairs of La-7s intercepted two Bf 109s during a "free hunting" flight. In the ensuing skirmish, pilot Viktor Aleksandrnzh shot down one Messerschmitt. On September 22, Ivan Kozhedub, paired with Sharapov, flew to cover the river crossing between the settlements of Rameyki and Daksti. At a distance of 10-15 km from the overrun, Soviet pilots discovered two groups, a four and an eight, walking at an altitude of 3000 m. Fw-190. Kozhedub rapidly attacked the leftmost pair of Focke-Wulfs and opened fire from a distance of 150 m. The German plane managed to drop bombs, after which it went into a chaotic fall and collided with the ground 15 kilometers from the village of Streltsy. The rest of the Focke-Wulfs immediately freed themselves from the bomb load and turned back. In one of the subsequent sorties to cover the crossing, Kozhedub discovered six Fw-190s at an altitude of 1500 m. This time, the leader of the group of German fighter-bombers was attacked. A short burst from a distance of 150 meters fired from Lavochkin guns put an end to the combat career of a Luftwaffe pilot. Focke-Wulf fell 8 km from the crossing. On the way back, the planes of Kozhedub and his wingman came under fire from anti-aircraft guns. La-7 wingman received damage. The next day. On September 23, the La-7 four under the command of A. Baklan conducted an air battle in the Valmiera area: Savin, Aleksandryuk and Vasko shot down one Focke-Wulf each, Baklan damaged one German aircraft, which, dragging a plume of smoke, disappeared in the direction of Riga.

La-7 from the 176th GIAP at the airport in Germany

In October, all fighters of the 176th regiment were equipped with photo-camera guns.

On February 9, 1945, the navigator of the regiment Alexander Kumanichkin, together with his wingman Kramarenko, flew out on a free hunt. In the Sukachev area, the pilots spotted a congestion of vehicles, and there was no anti-aircraft cover. A couple of Lavochkin stormed ground equipment with impunity twice. The pilots were carried away by the attacks of the ground troops and did not notice a pair of Fw-190s that went into a frontal attack. The projectile fired by the Focke-Wulf pierced the wing of the La-7 navigator, the fighter began to react poorly to handle deviations. At this time, the voice of the follower was heard in Kumanichkin's headset: "Commander, a couple of fokkers behind." The situation has become much more complicated. Kumanichkin gave the command: "Let's go to the clouds." The fuel was running out, and another 100 km remained to fly to their airfield. Kumanichkip barely managed the damaged fighter, maintaining a speed of about 300 km / h. Kramarenko covered the commander from possible enemy attacks. Both planes made it safely to base. After landing, the pilots were amazed to see that about a third of one of the propeller blades had been shot off, and in the other there was a hole with a diameter of 6 cm. Mechanics managed to replace the propeller and motor on the damaged aircraft in just one night. In the morning, the regiment's navigator's La-7 was ready to fly.

Shortly after the memorable battle, Kumanichkip and Kramarenko had a dogfight with two Bf109s over Odra. The duel lasted ten minutes before Kumanichkip managed to catch the leading pair in sight. A line of two guns literally tore the Messerschmitt to pieces, the plane fell apart in the air. The second Bf 109 immediately retreated from the battlefield.

Ivan Kozhedub took part in the air battle on February 12, 1945. He flew out on a free hunt in a pair with Viktor Gromakovsky, Alexander Kumanichkip and Sergei Kramarenko took off after them with a minimum interval. Orlov and Stetsenko. All three pairs of fighters maintained mutual radio exchange. At this time, up to thirty Fw-190s fell out of the clouds above the front line. The Focke-Wulfs began to line up in battle formation, preparing to strike at the Soviet troops. Kozhedub decided to attack the enemy. He descended to the very ground and attacked the leader of the enemy group from behind. Cannon bursts fired from a distance of 100 meters pierced the Fokker's belly. There is one! Exit from the attack up, roll over and dive on the next enemy aircraft. Under the reliable protection of Gromakovsky, who insured the "tail" of the commander, Kozhedub shot down another Fw-190. After the loss of two aircraft, the German pilots were unable to attack the ground troops, and they began to reorganize the battle formation. Meanwhile, a pair of Kozhedub also occupied a position for the next attack. At this time, the rest of the hunters of the 176th regiment approached the battlefield. Kumanichkin immediately shot down the leader of the nine Fw-190. Attack La-7 was swift. All Soviet fighters closely interacted with each other, the Focke-Wulf pilots could not withstand the onslaught and began to withdraw from the battle. Kozhedub shot down one fokker leaving the battle. Six Lavochkins in a fleeting battle destroyed eight enemy planes: Kumanichkin, Stetsenko and Orlov shot down one each, two - Gromakovsky, and Kozhedub chalked up three. Orlov died in the battle.

Kumanichkin, together with the regiment commander Chupikov, on February 14 met in the air with an unusual aircraft. The guards tried to attack the enemy. but the German plane unexpectedly quickly broke away from the pursuers. After developing the film of the photo-machine gun, it became clear that the pilots of the 176th GIAP met with the latest Me-262 jet fighter. This was the first meeting of the pilots of the 176th GIAP with the Luftwaffe jet technology, the first, but not the last.

One of the most memorable battles Kozhedub fought on February 19, 1945 (sometimes the date is February 24). On this day, he flew out on a free hunt paired with Dmitry Titarenko. On the traverse of the Oder, the pilots noticed an aircraft rapidly approaching from the direction of Frankfurt an der Oder. The plane was flying along the riverbed at an altitude of 3500 m at a speed much greater than the La-7 could develop. It was Me-262. Kozhedub instantly made a decision. The Me-262 pilot relied on the speed qualities of his car and did not control the airspace in the rear hemisphere and below. Kozhedub attacked from below on a head-on course, hoping to hit the jet in the belly. However, Titarenko opened fire before Kozhedub. To the considerable surprise of Kozhedub, the premature firing of the wingman was beneficial. The German turned to the left, towards Kozhedub, the latter had only to catch the Messerschmitt in the sight and press the trigger. Me-262 turned into a fireball. In the cockpit of the Me 262 was Sergeant Kurt-Lange from l./KG(J)-54.

On March 18, 1945, south of Morin, Kozhedub and his wingman conducted an air battle with German fighters attacking an American bomber. Kozhedub shot the FW-190 from a distance of 80 m. The Focke-Wulf crashed to the ground 8-10 km north of Kustrin. The second ace plane was shot down in a frontal attack, an enemy fighter fell 6 km northwest of Kustrin.

March 22, 1945 Kozhedub with a wingman carried out another sortie for free hunting. Over the Seelow Heights, they intercepted two groups of Fw-190s flying at altitudes of 3,000 and 1,000 m, respectively, for a total of thirty aircraft in two groups. The hunters entered from the direction of the sun and swooped down on the last four of the upper group. The commander and his wingman shot down one Focke-Wulf each. But the attack didn't end there. Kozhedub continued to dive, his target was now the planes of the lower group. From a distance of 150 m as opened fire and shot down another Focke-Wulf.

Photo machine gun film shots: the defeat of the Mustang by Kozhedub

La-11 from the 176th GIAP

In the Kustrin area, on April 19, 1945, the Kumanichkin-Kramarenko pair distinguished themselves. Hunters attacked four Fw-190s. Before Kumanichkin opened fire. Kramarenko noticed another four Focke-Wulfs, and these aircraft were in a more vulnerable position. Kramarenko attacked the second four and fired a burst from 80 m straight into the motor of the leading fore-wulf. The German fighter rolled over its wing, went into a dive and collided with the ground.

Yesterday, April 17, 1945, Kozhedub and Titorenko performed the fourth sortie of the day in the Berlin area. Immediately after crossing the front line north of Berlin, the hunters discovered large group Fw-190 with suspended bombs. Kozhedub began to gain altitude for the attack and reported to the command post about establishing contact with a group of forty Focke-Vulvof with suspended bombs.

German pilots clearly saw how a couple Soviet fighters went into the clouds, and did not expect that they would appear again. Nevertheless, the hunters showed up. From behind, Kozhedub in the first attack shot down the leader of the four Fokkers that closed the group. The hunters tried to give the enemy the impression that there were a significant number of Soviet fighters in the air. Kozhedub threw his La-7 right into the thick of the enemy aircraft, turning Lavochkin left and right, the ace fired cannons in short bursts. The Germans succumbed to the trick - the Focke-Wulfs began to free them from bombs that prevented air combat. However, the Luftwaffe pilots soon established the presence of only two La-7s in the air and, taking advantage of the numerical advantage, took the guards into circulation. One Fw-190 managed to get into the tail of the Kozhedub fighter, but Titarenko opened fire before the German pilot - the Focke-Wulf exploded in the air. By this time, help had arrived - the La-7 group from the 176th regiment, Titarenko and Kozhedub were able to get out of the battle on the last remaining fuel. On the way back, Kozhedub saw a single Fw-190, which was still trying to drop bombs on Soviet troops. Ace dived and shot down an enemy plane. It was the last one, the 62nd. a German plane shot down by the best Allied fighter pilot.

Kozhedub's total score is not included. at least two aircraft are American P-51D Mustang fighters. In one of the battles in April, Kozhedub tried to drive off German fighters from the American "Flying Fortress" with cannon fire. US Air Force escort fighters misunderstood the intentions of the La-7 pilot and opened barrage fire from a long distance. Kozhedub, apparently, also mistook the "Mustangs" for Messers, left the fire with a coup and, in turn, attacked the "enemy". He damaged one Mustang (the plane, smoking, left the battlefield and, after flying a little, fell, the pilot jumped out with a parachute), the second P-51D exploded in the air. Only after a successful attack did Kozhedub notice the white stars of the US Air Force on the wings and fuselages of the planes he shot down. After landing, the regiment commander, Colonel Chupikov, advised Kozhedub to keep quiet about the incident and gave him the developed film of the photo-machine gun. The existence of a film with footage of burning Mustangs became known only after the death of the legendary pilot.

On April 30, 1945, Kumanichkin and Kramarenko took off from the Schönifeld airfield to intercept a group of Fw-190s. Shortly after take-off, the hunters approached a group of 16 Focke-Wulwof with suspended bombs. As soon as the Germans spotted a pair of La-7s, eight Fw-190s dropped their bombs, but the rest continued to fly towards the advancing Soviet troops. Eight Fw-190. changed from bombers to fighters. tried to impose an air battle on the hunters. Kumanichkin was in a difficult position, but a wingman came to his aid and thwarted the attack. The leader broke through to the eight, which did not drop the bombs, and shot down one plane. Focke-wulf fell in the western suburbs of Berlin. It was the 36th and last victory of A.S. Kumanichkin.

From June 1944 to May 9, 1945, the regiment made another 2961 sorties, conducted 185 air battles, in which 212 enemy aircraft were shot down. Own losses during this period amounted to 23 aircraft (four pilots), there were no non-combat losses.

For the excellent performance of command assignments for the period from 06/06/1944 to 05/09/1945 (2961 combat sorties. 172 enemy aircraft shot down in air battles and 48 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground) June 1, 1945, the regiment was awarded the Order of Kutuzov 3- th degree.

The 176th GIAP became one of the few regiments of the Air Force K A., which received a truly worldwide fame- the only Soviet regiment of air hunters. The pilots of the regiment ended the war in defeated Berlin.

During the Great Patriotic War, pilots of the 176th Guards Proskurovsky Order of the Red Banner. Alexander Nevsky and Kutuzov Fighter Aviation Regiment made 8422 barefoot sorties, conducted 71 air battles and shot down 398 enemy aircraft, another 56 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground, 3 tanks, 256 vehicles, 213 wagons, 7 tankers, 7 anti-aircraft batteries, disabled 36 locomotives, burned 1 train echelon. Ten pilots won more than 15 victories each in air battles. Combat losses amounted to 48 pilots and 104 aircraft, non-combat 5 pilots and 15 aircraft.

One of the best fighter aviation regiments in the Air Force did not stay long in Germany - already in 1946, the 176th GIAP from the German Schönewalde airfield was relocated to the airfield Teply Stan, practically - to Moscow. In Teply Stan, on the basis of the regiment, military tests of La-9 and La-11 fighters were carried out, one of the first in the Air Force, the regiment received MiG-15 jet fighters. In November 1950, the regiment was sent on a government mission to the Far East, on a war mission.

In the sight of Grigory Ges B-26

I. Suchkov shoots at B-29A

The wreckage of the B-29A in the mountains of Korea

At the end of March 1951, it was decided to replace the 151st NAD. why the 324th NAD of the Guards, Colonel Kozhedub, was transferred to the Andong airfield. On March 30, the 176th GIAG1 arrived in Andong under the command of the Guard Lieutenant Colonel Koshel. The regiment was armed with MiG-15 fighters with RD-45A engines, 24 fighters. On March 31, the pilots of the 28th GIAP handed over their MiG-15bis to the pilots of the 176th GIAP, and they themselves left for Mukden on the planes of the 176th GIAP.

The first sortie was made by the 324th and AD aircraft on April 1: a pair of MIGs of the 176th GIAP went on a flight for deep reconnaissance (leading navigator of the regiment, Guards Major S.L. Subotin, wingman, Lieutenant P.S. Milaushkin). MiGs crossed all of North Korea at high altitude and went beyond the 38th parallel, beyond Seoul. Having completed the task, the couple returned to Andong, while taxiing after landing, the planes ran out of fuel.

On April 2, 1951, the pilots of the 176th GIAP conducted several air battles with the enemy. The pilots of the 3rd Squadron intercepted a group of Thunderjets flying under the cover of the Sabers. The Thunderjets immediately turned away and went towards the sea, and the Sabers entered the battle. The fight did not last long, both sides suffered no losses. On the same day, four MiG-15s from the 2nd squadron. led by Major Kramarenko, flew out to intercept a scout, but she had to engage in battle with eight F-86s. accompanying the scout. This fight also ended in vain.

The 176th GIAP suffered its first losses on April 3, 1951. 12 MiG-15s, the entire 1st squadron commanded by Major K.Ya. Sheberstov. The Americans suddenly fell on the MiGs because of the clouds. The battle began on unfavorable conditions for the guardsmen. Fighters of the 2nd squadron of the Hero of the Soviet Union Major A.F. took off to help. Vasko, but the enemy also intensified - another 20 "Sabres" pulled up to the place of the fight. Guard Senior Lieutenant P.D. Nikitchenko from the 1st Squadron tried to drag the wrecked fighter to the airfield, but the Sabers caught up with him. Nikitchenko's plane was shot down by the future ace of the 4th Fighter Air Group of the US Air Force, Captain James Jabarra, Nikitchenko died. The Americans damaged two more MiG-15s from the 176th GIAP, both fighters landed with stopped engines on the Andong airfield. Guards Art. Lieutenant A.P. Verdysh of the 2nd Squadron landed his MiG-15 on his belly, and near the plane of the Guards. Senior Lieutenant B. Reitarovsky was denied landing by the hydraulic system, the plane crashed into a caponier. Both MiG-15s had to be written off. Verdysh's plane was shot down by Lieutenants Roy McLane and William Janney of 334 and 336 Squadrons. Reitarovsky's MiG was chalked up to Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Emmert from the 335th AE. The Sabers left only when all the fighters of the 196th IAP were raised into the air on alarm.

The division commander assessed the results of the air battle as a failure. Kozhedub removed from command the 176th GIAP Guards. Lieutenant Colonel Koshel. In place of the commander of the regiment was appointed Guards. lieutenant colonel Sergei Fedorovich Vishnyakov, who previously served as deputy regiment commander. Vishnyakov's place was taken by the commander of the 1st squadron, Major Sheberstov. Captain G.I. became the commander of the 1st squadron. Ges.

On the morning of April 7, on alarm to intercept the attack aircraft that appeared in the Aneiu area, eight MiGs from the 1st squadron were raised into the air. The guards found a group of 16 F-84 Tiderjet fighter-bombers at an altitude of 3000 m. MiGs were higher than American planes. 1st link guards. Captain Gesya attacked one eight "Thunderjet", the 2nd link, led by Subbotin, another. The formation of enemy planes fell apart. The Thunderjets dropped their bombs and began to retreat to their own territory in disorder. A couple of guards Captain Plotkin - Guards. senior lieutenant Obraztsov B.A. point-blank shot two enemy fighter-bombers. Not a single MiG received even a hole. According to the results of photo control, the pilots of the 1st squadron were credited with only one victory - Boris Obraztsov.

In the middle of the day, all fighters of the 176th GIAP - 30 aircraft - were raised to repel the attack of "Superfortresses" on the railway bridge in the Chipyidzhu area. The attack on the bridge was carried out by a group of 16 B-29 heavy bombers (the planes belonged to the 98th and 307th bomber air groups), which was covered by 48 Thunderjets from the 27th fighter air group. According to the reports of the pilots of the 176th Guards Regiment, seven "Superfortresses" were shot down in an air battle. Distinguished I.A. Suchkov, Konstantin Sheberstov, Grigory Ges, Petr Milaushkin, Serafim Subbotin and others. The regiment was credited with only two downed bombers - Major Subbotin and Captain Suchkov. The Americans acknowledged the loss of only one aircraft, in turn, writing down the downed MiG-15 at the expense of the air gunners of the "Fortresses" - the 176th GIAP actually had no losses, although there were holes in some machines.

April 8 to intercept the reconnaissance RB-45. which was accompanied by 12 Sabers. eight MiGs from the 2nd squadron took off, led by Major A.F. Vasko, Hero of the Soviet Union. The Americans received a warning about the upcoming attack and turned back on their course. "Sabers" cut off the MiGs from the reconnaissance. Vasko's link tied up the cover fighters, and Captain Lazutin's link tried to get the RB-45. On the four MiGs, unexpectedly

but the four "Sabres" piled on. Only Lazutin himself managed to attack the scout. however, at the most inopportune moment, weapons on his fighter failed. In an air battle with the Sabers, Senior Lieutenant F.V., led by Lazutin, was shot down. Slabkin, the pilot died. Slabkin became a victim of 1st Lieutenant Arthur O "Connor from the 336th Squadron of the 4th Air Group. The MiG-15 of Senior Lieutenant V. Negodaev was damaged, the pilot made an emergency landing in North Korea. Negodaev was not injured, but the MiG had to be written off. One Saber was shot down by Major Vasko.

On April 9, a pair of Ges-Nikulin left to intercept a single reconnaissance RB-26. Captain Ges shot the American plane from a short distance without much difficulty - the RB-26 fell apart.

On April 12, the American Air Command in Korea planned a massive attack on the bridge across the Yalu River between Andong and Sinuiju. 39 "Superfortresses" were involved in the raid. The strike force was accompanied by about four dozen Sabers and Thunderjets. The approach of a large group of enemy aircraft was timely noticed by the radar operators. To repel the raid, Kozhedub raised all the combat-ready aircraft of the 324th division - 44 MiG-15 fighters. The planes of the 196th regiment were the first to go into the sky, which were to forge the Sabers in battle. The pilots of 22 MiG-15s from the 176th GIAP were tasked with attacking only bombers. Lieutenant Colonel Vishnyakov decided to attack the formation of "Fortresses" in pairs from all sides. The Americans failed to drop a single bomb on the target. According to American data, two B-29s (from the 19th and 307th air groups) were shot down in an air battle, three wrecked "Superfortresses" did not reach Okinawa, landing at South Korean bases, and another crashed while landing in Suwon. Air gunners from B-29s reported ten MiGs shot down by them (they credited "only" seven victories to them). Three MiGs were "shot down" by Thunderjet pilots from the 27th Group and four MiG-15s were "destroyed" by Saber pilots from the 4th Fighter Air Group. In fact, all 44 MiG-15s returned to Andong, two aircraft were seriously damaged, but were repaired in a short time. The pilots of the division were credited with 10 Super Fortresses shot down, seven of them were accounted for by the pilots of the 176th GIAP: Major Sheberstov. captains Subbotin, Suchkov, Gesya, Milaushkin, senior lieutenants Plitkin and Obraztsov. One more "Thunderjet" was recorded for captains Kramarenko, Lazutin and Subbotin.

On April 24, a major air battle took place, in which MiG-15s from the 1st and 3rd squadrons of the 176th GIAP took part on the one hand, and Sabers from the 4th air group on the other. One F-86 was shot down by squadron commanders Captains Ges and Murashov. Murashov was shot down himself, but saved his life by ejecting from the cockpit of a burning fighter. The commander of the 3rd squadron received a spinal injury. Murashov was shot down by Lieutenant Colonel William Hod.

On May 1, the entire 176th GIAP, led by commander Lieutenant Colonel Vishnyakov, was lifted into the air. The regiment came under a sudden attack by 16 Sabers from the lower hemisphere. The Americans disrupted the formation of the MiGs. The battle broke up into a series of chaotic fights. Six F-86s fell on the link of the regiment commander Vishnyakov. The commander was supposed to be insured by Vasko's link, but Vasko lost his place in the ranks. Then, the leader of the second pair, captain I.A., fell out of the link of Vishnyakov. Yablokov. Winged Senior Lieutenant A.F. Golovlev could not resist him. A pair of Sabers attacked Golovlev's single MiG-15, the pilot was wounded in the head. Nevertheless, Golovlev brought and landed the damaged fighter at the Andong airfield. In the Mige, 32 holes were counted, the fighter was nevertheless repaired. Another pair of Sabers followed Vishnyakov and his wingman, Senior Lieutenant Pavel Nikulin. Nikulin thwarted the attack with a sharp turn, he even knocked out one F-86. which smoked and with a decrease left the battle. At this time, the third pair of Sabers went on the attack. Nikulin had no choice but to close the commander's plane with his MiG. The pilot managed to eject seconds before the MiG exploded. In the battle on May 1, the pilots of the 176th GIAP did not shoot down a single enemy aircraft. Own losses amounted to 1 downed MiG-15 and two wounded pilots. On May 9, while repulsing a raid on the airfield of the DPRK Air Force, pilots of the 176th GIAP shot down two Thunderjet (Captains K.Ya. Sheberstov and G.I. Ges).

On June 18, a major battle took place on MiG Alley - 32 Sabers and more than 40 Soviet fighters took part in it. Captain Subbotin and Senior Lieutenant Plitkin shot down one F-86 each, then the guards were ordered to go home. On the return course, 24 Sabers fell on the MiGs of the 176th regiment. A new fight ensued. Link F-86 split a pair of Subbotin. Leading a pair of Sabers damaged the wing and engine of the MiG-15. Subotin put the plane into a dive, but the American did not lag behind. The Soviet pilot managed to slow down by releasing the brake flaps - the Saber jumped forward and crashed into the ground. Subbotin's MiG-15 crashed next to the F-86, but the Soviet pilot, unlike his counterpart Captain William D. Krone, managed to eject.

On June 22, an air battle with a numerically superior group of Sabers was carried out by six from the 3rd squadron, led by Captain Suchkov. The group battle did not work out - in fact, the couples fought. A pair of Pligkin Samples attacked two F-86s. When performing a maneuver in more than advantageous position turned out to be Boris Obraztsov. The commander took the place of the wingman, while Obraztsov shot down the wingman of a pair of Sabers from a short distance. At this point, the Sabers attacked Plitkin. MiG lost control, the pilot ejected. Plitkin was shot down by 1st Lt. Charles O. Riester of 336 Squadron.

On June 20, Chinese volunteers attempted to land on Sonmido Island. Here was an American radar station that tracked the actions of aviation of the 64th Fighter Aviation Corps. The landing was supported by Il-10 attack aircraft of the DPRK Air Force. Mustangs started an air battle with Elami. Then the Yak-9 pulled up to the battlefield. According to the logic of things, the response move remained with the Americans. However, before the Sabers, a dozen MiG-15s from the 176th GIAG1, led by the regiment commander, appeared in the battle area. By this time, the Mustangs had already begun to storm the landing. MiGs hit the Mustangs. Captain Ges fired at the piston R-51 from extremely close range. The plane of the wing of the Mustang flew off, but the wreckage of the American fighter seriously damaged the MiG, even jammed the elevator. Ges got out of the fight. At this time, the Sabers appeared. A downed MiG is a tasty prey, Gesya's wingman, Senior Lieutenant G.A., stood in the way of a pair of Sabers. Nikolaev. Nikolaev did not allow the enemy to finish off the commander's plane, but he himself suffered. Large-caliber bullets pierced the cockpit of a Soviet fighter. Fragments of the glazing of the lantern cut Nikolaev's face. Both damaged MiGs, under the cover of other fighters of the 176th regiment, landed safely in Andong. In total, the guardsmen destroyed six Mustangs in one battle, but only Vishnyakov, Sheberstov, Gesya and Golovachev were credited with victories. Nikolaev and Milaushkin received only moral satisfaction - they were not counted as shot down. The Americans admitted the loss of one R-51, which was shot down by Captain Ges, and announced four MiGs damaged by Sabers (in reality, two MiG-15s were damaged).

On July 8, 20 fighters from the 176th GIAP and the 523rd IAP took off to repel a Mustang raid on the North Korean Kandong airfield. The Mustangs did not wait for the attack - having received a warning about the approach of jet fighters, the Americans stopped the attack. MiGs, on the other hand, entered the battle with the Sabers. The appearance of US Air Force jet fighters, our pilots missed. Due to the use of surprise, the enemy shot down two MiG-15s (the Americans claimed three victories). The bitterness of the loss of two aircraft and one pilot somewhat brightened up the success of Senior Lieutenant Verdysh. slave major Vasko.

Verdysh damaged one Saber.

On July 11, in Sinuiju, 12 MiG-15s from 176-GIAP conducted an air battle with a numerically superior enemy. The following fact speaks of the quantitative superiority of the Americans: a pair of Captain Goncharov fought with eight Sabers. Goncharov and Obraztsov attacked four F-86s. Boris Obraztsov shot down one Saber, while another four shot down Obraztsov's plane. The pilot was wounded in the stomach. Boris found the strength to eject. but died from loss of blood on the landing site. In the same battle, the destroyed F-86 was chalked up to Captain Kramarenko (another Saber was shot down by Captain I.A. Zyuz).

On September 9, the command of the 64th Corps sent all five regiments of the 303rd and 324th divisions to repulse another major American air raid. On both sides, about 150 aircraft took part in a real air battle. Seven Sabers were shot down, two of them by pilots of the 176th GIAP. One MiG-15 from the 196th IAP was lost (the Americans announced two downed MiGs).

Opponents continued to measure their strength. Already on the morning of September 10, the fighters of all five Soviet regiments took off again. The pilots of the 324th division attacked the Shooting Star fighter-bombers, and the pilots of the 303rd division tied up the cover Sabers. Captain Ges shot down one F-80. After dinner, the fighters of both divisions again took part in the air battle. And again the commander of the 1st squadron distinguished himself: Captain Ges knocked down a "rare bird" - "Meteor" from the Australian 7th squadron. On September 10, Soviet aviation had no losses, a rare case - the Americans on that day also did not report a single MiG shot down.

On September 12, the commander of the 64th IAK, General Lobov, personally led 80 MiGs to intercept 150 American aircraft. The pilots of the 196th IAP and the 176th GIAP attacked enemy fighter-bombers at low altitude. The first Shooting Star was shot down by Senior Lieutenant Kravtsov, his work was continued by three more pilots of the 176th GIAP. moreover, captain I.A. Suchkov shot down two Shooting Stars. Two other fighter-bombers were shot down by Captain S.M. Kramarenko and his led senior lieutenant A.P. Gogolev. Four more Shooting Stars were shot down by pilots of the 196th IAP. The "special" six, led by General Lobov, contributed to the common piggy bank. The Americans lost 11 "Shooting Old" - a complete rout! One damaged MiG, which landed safely in Andong, is little consolation.

On September 13, returning from an unsuccessful sortie, a pair of Senior Lieutenant A.A. Plitkia literally stumbled upon four Mustangs. Plitkin shot down one F-51 from the first attack, the rest rushed in all directions. Follower, Senior Lieutenant A.P. Verdysh, could not stand it and rushed to catch up with them. Got it, of course. At the airfield, Verdysh was credited with one victory and was put on the first number for violating discipline in battle.

On November 4, two raids on Anya were again repulsed by the pilots of both divisions of the 64th Corps. MiGs of the 303rd division fought with the Sabers of the cover, while the fighters of the 324th NAD attacked the F-80 and F-84 fighter-bombers. The combat account of the 176th GIAP was replenished with two Shooting Stars and two Thunderjets. The guardsmen suffered no losses.

A major raid on Anya took place on 18 November. The entire regiment, led by the commander, left to repulse the raid. The 1st Squadron tied up the Sabers, the 2nd and 3rd attacked the strike Thunderjets. One Thunderjet was shot down by Captain P.S. Milaushkin from the 1st Squadron. After the "quadrille" with the next "Saber", the captain fell out directly on the eight "Thunderjet". To catch the leader of the group in sight, the captain only needed to turn the MiG a little. In total, the pilots of the 176th GIAP shot down four Thunderjets without loss on their part, although the Americans divided one MiG into two 1st lieutenants - Cooley and Hivit from the 111th squadron of the 136th fighter-bomber air group.

Fierce air battles over Anei unfolded on November 27. The pilots of the 176th GIAP fought with an enemy twice their number. Saber pilots shot down Alexander 1 Irokopyevich Verdysh's MiG-15 and Senior Lieutenant Alexei Esipko. Both pilots survived. The Americans claimed four downed MiG-15s. Pilots of the 176th GIAGI. at least they shot down a Saber (3rd Squadron Commander Captain Suchkov) and a Meteor (Captain Pavel Nikulin), but the regiment was not credited with one victory. The next day, the regiment's combat account was replenished with one Thunderjet. The Americans did not confirm the loss of the F-84.

On December 1, the pilots of the regiment took part in the operation carefully planned by General Lobov to defeat the 77th Australian squadron. Three eights under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Vishnyakov entered the attack area in advance. 16 "Meteors" appeared in " right time in the right place". The commander of the 16th IAK calculated everything exactly. With a classic "falcon strike", two eights of MiGs collapsed on the Australians (eight more MiGs remained on top in case the Sabers appeared). Feet carried away only four Meteors. 176 The 1st GIAP was credited with nine downed "Meteors". Western sources confirm three victories of the guardsmen, and they speak of two MiGs shot down by the Australians. According to the archives of the corps, not a single MiG-15 received even holes.

On December 2, while the pilots of the other three regiments were fighting the Sabers, the guardsmen from the 176th GIAP "pinched" the fighter-bombers. The Thunderjet formation was broken, the plane dropped bombs anywhere, after which it turned back. Three F-84s did not return home, one of them was shot down by the regiment commander Colonel Vishnyakov. Guards regiment had no losses.

The hit of a 37-mm MiG projectile in the keel of the Saber

This time, Tapdurjet was lucky to reach the base

On December 5, the personnel of the 176th GIAP. The 18th GIAP and the 523rd IAP repelled a raid by Thunderjet fighter-bombers, which were covered by Sabers. The pilots of the three regiments shot down three F-84s and one F-86 by joint efforts.

On December 13, Captain Pyotr Semenovich Milaushkin credited the 64th Fighter Aviation Corps with the 500th victory in the skies of Korea. His victim was the F-86. On December 27, Captain Milaushkin shot down two Sabers in one day.

In 1951, the pilots of the 176th GIAP shot down 97 enemy aircraft (officially registered victories in air battles), their own losses amounted to 13 aircraft and four pilots.

The first "Saber" in the new 1952 was entered into the account of the regiment on January 1st. On January 12, in the area of the Supkhunskaya PS, the pilots of the 176th GIAP conducted an air battle with a group of 20 Sabers. Two F-86s were shot down by the commander of the 2nd squadron, Captain Kramarenko, and his wingman, Senior Lieutenant I.N. Gulyam.

On January 17, a group of MiGs from the 176th regiment, performing a patrol flight, was suddenly attacked by Sabers. The Americans shot down the plane of the commander of the 2nd squadron of the Hero of the Soviet Union Captain Kramarenko.

Pilots of the 176th GIAP. awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the war in Korea

Hero of the Soviet Union B.L. Samples, forever credited "part lists"

Kramarenko was lucky twice: successfully catapulted - once; the Saber pilot, who opened fire on a helpless pilot hanging on a parachute, missed. Senior Lieutenant Alexander Filippov, young pilot, who had just arrived in the regiment with replenishment, fortune did not smile. Filippov ejected from the burning MiG, but died. Another newcomer, senior lieutenant Valentin Leonov, barely made it to Andong in a damaged fighter. Kramarenko managed to shoot down one "Saber" in a short fight before the Americans filled up his own MiG. Nobody saw the fall of the F-86, so the victory of the ace was not counted. Interestingly, the commander of the 25th squadron of the US Air Force, Colonel Makhurin, reported on the downed "Saber" - perhaps he became the last victim of Kramarenko.

After the battle on January 17, the 176th regiment handed over its aircraft to the 97th IAD, which arrived in China in December 1951. In total, in Korea, the pilots of the 176th GIAP won 107 victories in air battles, more (109) were only on the account of 196- th regiment. The regiment lost 12-13 aircraft and five pilots.

Pilots of the 176th GIAP. those who died in Korea:

Art. lt. Nikitchenko P.D. 04/03/1951

St. lt. Slabkin F.V. 04/09/1951

Art. lt. Negodyaev V. 06/23/1951

Art. lt. Obraztsov B.A. 07/11/1951

Art. lt. Filinov A.V. 01/17/1952

The dead pilots are buried in Port Arthur.

After returning from a government assignment, the regiment was transferred from the Air Force to the air defense system. The location was determined by the Oreshkovo airfield in Kaluga region. Until 1958, the regiment was part of the 324th Air Defense IAD, then - in the 98th Guards Air Defense IAD. In 1958, the 324th division was disbanded. and in 1960 the itch of reformers Nikita Sergeevich got to one of the most famous regiments Soviet aviation- on the basis of the directive of the Minister of Defense of March 15, 1960, the 176th Guards Proskurov Red Banner Order of Kutuzov and Alexander Nevsky Fighter Aviation Regiment was to be disbanded. To accuse (absolutely, by the way, rightly) of the thoughtless destruction of the famous, historical regiments of reformers from the Central Committee of the CPSU is easier than ever, but this shameful tradition, unfortunately, has deep roots. The remarkable military historian of the Russian emigration Kersnovsky in his fundamental work "History of the Russian Army" repeatedly wrote with bitterness about the loss of the traditions of the famous hussars, lancers, dragoons and other regiments of the Imperial Army. There is only one reason - disbandment. The 176th regiment was lucky - Ivan Kozhedub served in it, who managed with his authority to push through the return of the regalia of his native unit to the 234th Fighter Aviation Regiment.

When the 176th regiment as part of the "Kozhedubov" 324th Fighter Aviation Division left for Korea, the 234th Fighter Aviation Regiment became its successor. A successor in the literal sense of the word. The formation of the 234th IAP at the Tyoply Stan airfield began in accordance with the Directive of the Minister of War of the USSR ORG / 5 / 396479 dated 15.1.1.1950 on the basis of the materiel and the flight and technical personnel of the 176th Guards IAP remaining in Teply Stan. Continuity of the 234th IAP in relation to legendary regiment free hunters is emphasized by the fact that the first commander of the 234th IAP was Colonel Nikolai Nikolaevich Shulzhenko. Earlier Guards Colonel Shulzhenko commanded the 176th GIAP.

battle banner The 234th IAP was awarded in a solemn atmosphere on 04/29/1951. The regiment became part of the 9th Fighter Aviation Division of the Air Force of the Moscow District.

The proximity of the huge city (now Tyoply Stan is located within the city limits of Moscow) complicated the conduct of flights, especially the conduct of flights in adverse weather conditions. Therefore, in 1952, the regiment was transferred to Kubinka near Moscow (Directive of the Minister of War of the USSR No. 47648 of 04/07/1952). As of the end of 1952, the 234th IAP was armed with 41 MiG-15bis fighters, four UTI MiG-15 twins. five piston training aircraft Yak-11 one liaison Yak-12. In 1952, the pilots of the regiment twice flew the MiG-15bis to the maximum radius, took part in the traditional parades on May 1 on Air Fleet Day. Over Tushino, two links showed oncoming aerobatics. Group aerobatics was shown in the composition of the five and nine.

In 1953, the regiment was re-equipped with MiG-17 fighters. The MiG-17 did not last long in the regiment - in 1955, the 234th IAP was the first in the Air Force to receive the latest Mi G-19, in 1962 - the MiG-21F-13.

The change in the foreign policy of the country's leadership directly affected the Kubinka air garrison - foreign delegations frequented here. One of the first to visit the base near Moscow on June 18, 1956 was Marshal Josip Broz Tito. For more than 40 years, shows in Kubinka have been visited by delegations from Algeria and Afghanistan. Burma. Ghana. Hungary, Vietnam, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Yemen. China, Cuba, Laos, Mali, Morocco, Wormwood. Sudan, USA. Uganda, Finland, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia, Yugoslavia. Many delegations were headed by the first persons of the states. In addition to demonstrations in front of government and military delegations, demonstrations were held in front of party delegations, from the delegation of the Odintsovo City Committee of the All-Union Leninist Young Communist League of the Moscow Region to the delegation of foreign guests of the XXV Congress of the CPSU.

Group aerobatics on the MiG-17

Pilots of the 176th GIAP at the MiG-15UTI

Debriefing at the MiG-19

Photo for memory at the MiG-21

Acquaintance of schoolchildren with military equipment

Photo of the pilot-cosmonaut P. R. Popovich with an autograph

The honorary duty of the regiment was to escort aircraft with foreign heads of state, among the first - escorting an aircraft with Fidel Castro, among the "extreme" - meeting and escorting an aircraft with French President Jacques Chirac on board. Special place in the history of the regiment, it occupies a flight in the same formation with the Il-18 aircraft, on board of which there were pilot-cosmonauts P.R. Popovich and A.G. Nikolaev (August 1962). Pavel Popovich served in the 234th IAP before joining the cosmonaut corps. The fighters of the honorary escort were piloted by pilots Galkin, Kisaev, Korobeinikov, Nikolaev, Tkachenko, Unitsky, Tsvetkov.

Definition " business card"The Cuban regiment fits perfectly - the only air regiment in the USSR that demonstrated aircraft and aerobatics in the West. The first visit took place in 1967 - a group of 12 MiG-21FL fighters visited Sweden. In September 1971, six MiG- The 21st 234th GIAP landed at the French Reims air base.During the hour-long show, the MiG pilots showed single and group aerobatics.Followed by the French on the Votours.It is no coincidence that almost immediately after the solo, the MiG-21 showed its solo pilot on the Mirage 3C. Both fighters belong to the same generation, so many "tourists" wanted to visually compare the aerobatics of the two by no means virtual opponents. According to observers, the Mirage had a smaller turn radius, while the MiG was superior to the Frenchman in vertical maneuver and acceleration characteristics.This opinion was 100% confirmed in air battles over Egypt.In 1978, the visit of MiG-23MLA fighters to Finland aroused increased interest among the public, and especially among specialists. Dia (July-August) and France (September). For the first time in the West, they could see the MiG-23 up close and appreciate the skill of the pilots. piloted variable-swept wing fighters. In 1981, the second friendly visit to Sweden took place.

The word "ceremonial" through the efforts of journalists, unfortunately, has largely lost its original meaning. Front - almost ostentatious. And 176th. and the 234th regiments were parade in the true sense of the word - the visiting card of the Air Force, the best! No one has ever removed (and does not remove!) Combat training tasks from pilots. The parade 176th GIAP did not act ostentatiously in Korea. The pilots of the regiment carried out the most real combat missions in the sky of the Moscow region: 05/10/1962 a foreign balloon with reconnaissance equipment was destroyed in the Kaluga region by the squadron commander, Major A.I. Gavrilov. In 1968, the regiment was on high alert for several months in connection with the entry of troops from the countries of the Warsaw Pact into Czechoslovakia. The regiment took part in major exercises. such as Zapad-81, as a result of which several pilots were awarded combat awards. In 1983, the pilots of the regiment carried out research flights simulating the overcoming of the American Patriot air defense systems.

It is easy to see that the development of new technology has become a tradition, first of the 176th, and then of the 234th regiments: La-7. La-9/11. MiG-19. In 1982, the regiment was the first in the Air Force to receive fighters of the 4th generation MiG-29. A year later, the Pravda newspaper for the first time published a picture of the amazing beauty of the aircraft (this was how the aircraft seemed to many first-year students of the Moscow Aviation Institute, among whom was the author of the article). In addition to the photograph of the fighter, the country's first newspaper published a picture of two lieutenants, one of whom was Nikolai Dyatel. Today, Colonel Dyatel is the commander of the Swifts Aerobatics Group.

MNG-29 during the famous visit to Finland in 1985

Su-27 "Russian Knights"

Commander ANN G "Russian Knights" Colonel I. Tkacheno

The first appearance of MiG-29 fighters in the West is also associated with Kubinka. Five MiG-29s of the 234th regiment landed at the Finnish Kouppio air base on July 1. The visit lasted four days. Western experts were particularly struck by the high thrust-to-weight ratio of the latest Soviet aircraft. Observers paid tribute to both the designers of the MiG and the pilots, who showed the capabilities of the fighter in the skies of Finland.

In 1966, the succession of the 234th Regiment of Traditions of the 176th Guards Proskurov Regiment was officially legalized. In order to improve the military-patriotic and educational work with the personnel of the regiment and the preservation of the combat traditions of the air units that especially distinguished themselves in the battles for the Motherland, by the directive of the General Staff No. ORG / 9 / .110964 of 05/11/1966, the 234th regiment was transferred by succession to the order and honorary titles of the 176th GIAP. The regiment is now called the 234th Guards Proskurov Red Banner Order of Kutuzov and Alexander Nevsky Fighter Aviation Regiment. The Guards banner was awarded on 08/18/1966. Justice has triumphed, it is impossible not to note the successful solution to the delicate problem of combining the regalia of the Kozhedubov regiment with the number of the 234th IAP, which is not the last in the Air Force. The 234th regiment became the successor of the 176th regiment by right, if we are to revive the traditions of the 176th GIAP, then only on the basis of the 234th regiment.

In 1967, the special status of the regiment was legalized - a demonstration of aviation equipment and aerobatics, in connection with which the entire command staff of the regiment was upgraded by one level. By order of the Minister of Defense No. 0254 dated 10/17/1968, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Komsomol, the regiment was named after the Lenin Komsomol. Directive of the Air Force General Staff No. 410480 dated March 14, 1969, the 4th squadron was introduced into the staff of the regiment, which on June 7, 1974 was given the status of a ostentatious one, in fact, it became the first officially legalized aerobatic team in the USSR on jet fighters.

The end of the 70s was marked by the entry into service of the regiment of a wide range of fighters and fighter-bombers. In 1980, the armament consisted of: MiG-21bis - 39 MiG-21UM - 12 MiG-23UB - I MiG-23BN - 1 MiG-23MS - 2 MiG-23MF - 2 MiG-23MLA - 8 Su-22 - 2 SU- 22UK - 2 An-14

The main type was the MiG-21, fighters of this type were in service with three squadrons. The 4th, ostentatious, demonstrated its "zoo" to the distinguished guests of Kubinka. By the end of the 80s, the Su-24 also appeared in the squadron. There was no other such squadron, commensurate in the number of types of aircraft, in the USSR Air Force (possibly in the world). Unfortunately, the pilots showed their skills only to the elite - foreigners, exposed by the high confidence of the Party in the Komsomol Party members. After the 1967 parade at Domodedovo, for many years, only the surrounding summer residents and local natives received joy from the performance of aerobatic pilots from the ordinary population of our country, not burdened by being chosen. A qualitatively new stage in the history of the unit came in the late 80s. The fermentation of the minds of the era of perestroika and glasnost, typical of the entire Union, completely captured Kubinka.

By Directive of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR No. 314/1/00160 dated 01/25/1989, the regiment was reorganized into the 234th Guards Mixed Aviation Proskurov Red Banner Orders of Kutuzov and Alexander Nevsky Regiment (ostentatious). The air unit from Kubinka acquired its modern name in 1992 - by Directive of the General Staff of the Air Force 123/3/0643 dated 08/13/1992, the regiment was renamed the 237th Proskurovsky Red Banner Order of Kutuzov and Alexander Nevsky Center for Displaying Aviation Equipment. In August 1993, the Center was named after Ivan Nikitovich Kozhedub. In the Center, instead of four squadrons, three remained. In 1989, the 1st Squadron began to receive Su-27 fighters. But most importantly, the pilots of the Center began to demonstrate the art of aerobatics in public.

Lieutenant-General N. Antoshkin, Commander of the Air Force of the Moscow Military District, was at the origins of the creation of the now world-famous aerobatic teams. April 5, 1991 is considered the date of creation of the Russian Knights Aerobatics Team. was flown back in 1990, but in the same year Arestov was transferred to a new duty station. The rhombus disintegrated. The basis of the aerobatic team was the second four, led by Vladimir Basov. The aerobatics team included Vladimir Basov (leader). Alexander Dyatlov (left wingman), Sergey Ganichev (right), Vladimir Bukin (tail), Vladimir Bazhenov (left outer), Alexander Lichkun (right outer) The first public performance of the Vityaz in brightly painted Su-27s took place in the fall of 1991 in the UK Then there were Czechoslovakia, Malaysia, France, the USA, Norway, Belgium, Luxembourg and, of course, the traditional MAKS in Zhukovsky near Moscow. world championship among jet fighter aerobatic pilots in singles. The first place was taken by Captain Igor Tkachenko, today Colonel Tkachenko is the commander of the Russian Knights AVPG. The tragedy in Cam Ranh almost put an end to the history of the group. By tragic absurdity. due to other people's mistakes, two Su-27s and one Su-27UB crashed on December 12 during landing. Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Alekseevich Grechanov, Colonel Boris Mikhailovich Grigoriev, Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Viktorovich Kordyukov, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Viktorovich Syrovoy were killed. Every year on December 12, fellow soldiers come to the cemetery where the pilots are buried. Walk not far - half an hour from the take-off.

Aerobatic team "Swifts" in Reims. France, 1991

"Mentik" on the Su-25 aerobatic team "Heavenly Hussars"

Su-24 from the 217th IPAT

N.M. Woodpecker - aerobatics team leader

In 1996, the Russian Knights group was actually created anew. In September 1946, the "Russian Knights" rhombus became the decoration of the seaplane show in Gelendzhik.

Aviation aerobatics team "Swifts" debuted on May 6, 1991. Air Marshal Kozhedub observed the first official demonstration flight. The continuity of generations is evident. This day became the date of birth of the group. Already in May, Swifts visited Sweden. The visit was "half-closed" - the broad masses of the Swedish people did not receive access to the Uppsala air base. But in French Reims, at the celebrations on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Normandie-Niemen regiment, aerobatics by Alexander Kutuzov, Alexander Zakharov. Alexey Sherstnev. Vladimir Galunenko, Andrey Makarenko and Alexander Katashinsky made a splash. A completely unusual six of four MiG-29s and a pair of Mirages F.I. flew over Reims. Piloting "Swifts" is distinguished by the high dynamics of the performance of figures, while "Russian Knights" in the sky give the impression of a truly epic hero, a little clumsy, but powerful.

During the first half of the 1990s, Vityaz and Swift pilots traveled to many countries, and the number of impressions at various air shows reached several dozen a year.

After the transition of the regiment, more precisely the Center. the three-squadron composition of the 3rd squadron was entrusted with the task of demonstrating the capabilities of attack front-line aviation - hence such a disparity in types. In addition to the strike aircraft already in the unit, the Su-25 was added, which became the main type. The process of retraining from fighters to attack aircraft was not easy, so at first there were no thoughts about creating an aerobatic team. Ridiculous, according to many experts, the idea of an aerobatic team on attack aircraft was put forward and implemented by the squadron commander, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Gornov. The commander began with pair aerobatics (led lieutenant colonel I. Kravtsov), then began to train a rhombus. Unprecedented - it happens! The aerobatic team on strike aircraft took place. The group was named "Heavenly Hussars". On April 12, 1992, the Su-25 in a catchy color with hussar mentics on its belly showed for the first time what attack aircraft are capable of in experienced hands: an air show was held over Kubinka as part of the Air Engines 92 exhibition. The shorter flight range of the "Grach" compared to the MiG-29 and Su-27 limited the geography of the performance of the "Hussar" to the territory of our country, but one international show did take place. In September 1992, the group, together with the French Mirages 2000 and F.1, visited the Ozernaya Giadi airfield. Khabarovsk Territory A regiment is based in Ozernaya Pad, in which the Normandy squadron began its combat path during the Great Patriotic War. In 1995, the Su-25 was withdrawn from service with the TsPAT, but the history of the Gusar did not stop. Our magazine wrote about today's day of the Aerobatics and Flight Crew Training Group in N° 1, 2003. Not much time has passed since the publication of the issue, but there are big changes in the group. In January, the pilots handed over training L-39s. instead of the Albatross, the MiG-29 will go into service.

Weekdays of the center in winter and summer

Maintenance of the Su-27 "Russian Knights"

Beautiful demonstration flights at the air show - the tip of the iceberg. Glory goes to the pilots, but what is a pilot without a technician? This is a pilot without a plane. The work of the engineering and technical staff most often remains "behind the scenes." Unfortunately, our magazine writes little and rarely about "technicians". Meanwhile, the plane is no longer a plane. a " aviation complex". Engineering and maintenance of aviation equipment has never been a simple matter. It is a hundred times more difficult today. It is not even just a matter of complicating engines or on-board systems. Rapid disarmament has led to a total shortage of spare parts, consumables. Due to more than modest salaries are leaving people.The turnover of personnel in the TEC is higher than among the flight crew.It is understandable that a competent civilian engineer will find a decent job faster than the most experienced sniper pilot.Nevertheless, planes fly, which is a huge merit of people who are not shows television and is not filmed for the front pages of newspapers. Service in the engineering and technical service of the Center has a number of features. Aerobatic teams often perform far from their home base. An aircraft, like any other piece of equipment, in principle cannot be 100% reliable, but shows - it is impossible to disrupt due to technical malfunctions Analysis of failure statistics allowed us to form a kind of first aid kit - airmobile a container with spare blocks and assemblies, the probability of failure of which is the greatest. This experience of Kubinka is worthy of dissemination on the scale of the Air Force.

In addition to the three squadrons, there is a group for demonstrating parachute systems at TsPAT. It was formed in 1996 as a structural subdivision of the Center as part of the search and rescue and parachute service.

Parachute Systems Demonstration Group is intended for:

demonstrations of rescue, training, sports parachute systems (domestic and foreign production) on the ground and in the air when performing parachute jumps:

organizing and conducting demonstration parachute jumps at aviation festivals, shows and other events with the involvement of paratroopers according to the plan of the Air Force Commander-in-Chief:

performing demonstration parachute jumps at the request of state and public organizations in order to promote parachuting. military-patriotic education of youth, demonstration of the capabilities of parachute equipment and the skill of paratroopers:

participation in air shows, air shows. friendship visits and other events. conducted by the governments and departments of the Russian Federation and foreign states both in Russia and abroad:

carried out jointly with the parachute test department of the GLITS. Research Institute of Parachute Engineering, factories and firms of the defense industry, the main and central Directorates of the RF Ministry of Defense for consultations for foreign specialists:

participation in research aimed at developing methods for increasing the psychophysical capabilities of flight crews, paratroopers, conducted by specialists from the Institute of Aviation and Space Medicine in the performance of scientific and practical work.

All parachutists of the group are excellent athletes, multiple champions and prize-winners of many Russian and international competitions: ensign Dmitry Shlyakhov (international master of sports, World Cup winner, champion of Russia, Air Force. more than 6,000 parachute jumps), Art. warrant officer Alexander Lepezin (more than 9000 jumps), warrant officer Sergei Gusenkov (international master of sports, winner of the Para-C World Cup, champion armed forces, more than 7000 parachute jumps), warrant officer Vadim S "aklakov (master of sports, champion of Russia. Armed forces, made 8000 parachute jumps). Ensign Vyacheslav Dubinsky, senior sergeant Evgeny Andreev, senior sergeant Konstantin Isaev took part in the record jump three hundred of the world's best skydivers from a height of 6 km Classic skydiving team is trained by the Honored Master of Sports, two-time champion world champion, European champion, multiple champion of Russia.

One of the most difficult types parachuting- dome parachute acrobatics. The paratroopers of the Central Patriotic Aviation Center have achieved significant success here as well. A considerable merit in this is a person who is in love with his work. Honored Coach of Russia, Honored Master of Sports Senior Warrant Officer Yuri Arifulin, who trained such international masters of sports as Sergeant Gennady Goryaev, Corporal Sergei Kulakov, Corporal Alexander Ovchinnikov. For the first time, a Russian dome acrobatics team took part in the 5th World Championships held in Australia in 1994. With parachutes that were a whole generation behind Western models, the team captivated spectators and rivals with their obsession, will to win, skill, as a result - 5 -th place. After 2 years, at the 6th World Championship in Indonesia, the team becomes the bronze medalist of the world championship, losing only to the teams of the USA and France, and in 1997, at the World Cup in America, our athletes rise to the second step of the podium, losing only to the hosts. In 2000, at the World Championships in Finland, "dome workers" set two World records. In 2002, Corporal Alexander Ovchinnikov became the champion at the last and Spain's World Cup.

The face of any regiment is largely determined by its commanders. Both the 176th GIAP and the 234th IAP were lucky for commanders. Unfortunately, the scope of the journal article does not allow us to pay tribute to all regimental commanders, as well as to many other remarkable pilots and technicians. The following is a list of all regimental and TsPAT commanders:

Commanders of the 19th OR

Major Tertyakov……… 1938

Captain Zaitsev

Alexander Andreevich 1938-1939

Captain Tkachenko

Andrei Grigorievich 1940-1942

Major Pustovoy

Grigory Andreevich ... 1943

Colonel Shestakov

Lev Lvovich………. 1943-1944

Commanders of the 176th GIAP Colonel Chupikov

Pavel Fedorovich. 1944-1947

Lieutenant Colonel Kotelnikov

Konstantin Konstantinovich 1947-1948

Lieutenant Colonel Kumanichkin

Alexander Sergeevich 1948

Lieutenant Colonel Shulzhsenko Nikolai Nikolaevich 1948-1951

Commanders of the 234th OR Lieutenant Colonel Shulzhenko Nikolai Nikolaevich 1951

Lieutenant Colonel Babaev

Alexander Ivanovich 1951-1954

Lieutenant Colonel Kudryavtsev

Ivan Ivanovich ... .. 1954-1959

Colonel Manturov

Paisy Filippovich 1959-1965

Lieutenant Colonel Medvedev

Viktor Ivanovich. 1965-1970

Lieutenant Colonel Khil

Dmitry Vasilyevich 1970-1971

Lieutenant Colonel Folomeev

Dmitry Alekseevich 1971-1973

Lieutenant Colonel Basistov

Georgy Petrovich 1973-1975

Lieutenant Colonel Grateful

Anatoly Ivanovich 1975-1979

Lieutenant Colonel Vasiliev

Anatoly Andreevich 1979-1980

Lieutenant Colonel Zadvinsky

Gennady Stepanovich … 1980-1983

Colonel Basov

Vladimir Pavlovich 1983-1988

Colonel Brain

Alexander Ivanovich 1988-1989

Colonel Bychkov

Viktor Georgievich 1989-1997

Colonel Kutuzov Alexander Nikolaevich ... 1997-2000

Colonel Omelchenko Anatoly Ivanovich .... 2000

Brief essay The history of the Center for Computer Science is completed, but the history itself is not completed. On the pages of our magazine you. dear reader, you will meet Kubinka and the wonderful people who serve here more than once. In the near future - a detailed story about today's AVPG "Russian Knights" and "Swifts".

References:

1. Archives of the 176th GIAP and 234th IAP.

2. Valuev I.O. "Autographs in the sky. History of aerobatic teams of the USSR and Russian Air Forces"

3. Seidov "Red devils over the 38th parallel"

176th GIAP

The most famous regiment, which was armed with La-7 fighters, was the 176th Guards Proskurov Red Banner Order of Kutuzov and Alexander Nevsky. Many aces served in this regiment, but the part gained worldwide fame thanks to one pilot - Ivan Kozhedub. In 1938, at the Gorelovo airfield, located between Leningrad and Krasnoye Selo, the 19th Fighter Aviation Regiment was formed on the basis of the 70th and 58th Fighter Squadrons and the 33rd Separate Reconnaissance Squadron. The regiment became part of the 54th Light Aviation Brigade. In 1939, military tests of the I-16 fighter with M-63 engines were carried out on the basis of the regiment. On September 8, the regiment in full force (60 crews, three I-16 squadrons with M-25s and one I-15 bis squadron) flew to Ukraine. From September 17 to October 6, the 19th IAP took part in the liberation campaign against Western Ukraine. The raid amounted to 1091 hours, 1420 sorties were made. There were no losses. After the completion of the liberation campaign, the regiment returned near Leningrad, to Gorelovo.

The peaceful respite did not last long. From October 30, 1939 to March 13, 1940, pilots took part in the war with Finland. “In that war, the unfamous” was opened the combat account of the unit: in 3412 sorties, 74 locomotives were put out of action, five railway echelons were burned, two were destroyed on the ground and in air battles over

Vyborg three enemy aircraft. In April, the 19th IAP was awarded the Order of the Red Banner "for the excellent performance of command assignments on the front of the fight against the Finnish White Guard."

Pilot Dmitry Titarenko won the first victory in an air battle of the Great Patriotic War, he will end the war in the skies of Berlin as Ivan Kozhedub's wingman. Since July 1941, the 19th IAP was part of the 7th Air Defense Fighter Corps, at the same time the regiment was transferred to the wartime state - three squadrons. MiG-3s remained in service with the 2nd squadron, and the 1st squadron received LaGG-3 fighters. Operating in the air defense system of the city on the Neva, the pilots of the regiment made 3145 sorties, conducted 415 air battles, shooting down 63 enemy aircraft. Own combat losses amounted to 57 fighters, the regiment had no non-combat losses.

At the beginning of 1942 the regiment fought on the Volkhov front. The date September 10, 1942 stands apart in the history of the unit. Previously, the 19th IAP was an ordinary regiment of the Red Army Air Force, but from 10/19/1942 the regiment entered the personal disposal of Vasily Stalin, in a special group of the 269th Fighter Aviation Division. By the end of October, the 19th IAP, transferred to a three-squadron structure, received the latest La-5 fighters (35 aircraft). At this time, the regiment was in Lyubertsy. After a series of organizational upheavals (from the 269th IAD to the 210th, then to the 286th and again to the 269th), the regiment arrived at the Yelets airfield in December 1942. From December 27, 1942 to March 20, 1943, acting as part of the 269th IAD of the 2nd Air Army of the Voronezh Front, the pilots of the regiment made 1055 sorties, shooting down 35 enemy aircraft in 60 air battles (19 bombers, 11 fighters, 5 scouts.Own combat losses amounted to five La-5, five more fighters were defeated.Five pilots died (three in battle, two in accidents).Assault operations during the same period destroyed 136 vehicles, about 200 wagons, two batteries of anti-aircraft artillery, 8 fires were created.

In September, the 19th IAP received La-5FN fighters. Autumn 1943 - not summer 1941. Pilots and technicians got the opportunity to thoroughly prepare for battles, to master new equipment. The regiment left for the front only on January 8, 1944. The pilots began combat operations on January 20, the base was the Zhurbintsy airfield. Operationally, the 19th IAP was subordinate to the commander of the 2nd Air Army, which acted in the interests of the 2nd Ukrainian Front. The pilots of the regiment acted by the method of free hunting. Until May 26, 1055 sorties were made, 37 air battles were conducted, in which 47 enemy aircraft were shot down (25 fighters, 21 bombers, 1 reconnaissance aircraft), own combat losses amounted to nine aircraft (six pilots), non-combat - two aircraft (one pilot ). For the excellent performance of command assignments for the period from 01/20/1944 to 06/06/1944, on 08/09/1944, as part of the 1st Ukrainian Front, the regiment was awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky.

In June, the regiment was relocated to the Yudichi airfield (1st Belorussian Front), now the unit was operationally subordinate to the commander of the 16th Air Army, as of January 1945, the commander of the 3rd Fighter Air Corps, Lieutenant General E.Ya. Savitsky (the corps was part of the 16th VA) As part of the Savitsky corps, the regiment ended the war. By order of the NPO No. 0270 dated 08/19/1944, for the combat work carried out from 06/22/1941 to 06/6/1944 (5574 sorties were completed, 172 enemy aircraft were shot down in air battles, 48 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground) the regiment was transformed into 176th Guards.

Ivan Kozhedub arrived at a new duty station on a La-7 received in a reserve regiment in the usual camouflage color. On the morning of August 23, Kozhedub arrived at the airfield, where he saw that his "horse" had been repainted overnight in the colors of the regiment of air hunters - a red nose, a white tail. A few days later, Kozhedub was awarded the military rank of major. The ace's wingman was Major Dmitry Titarenko, head of the regiment's airborne infantry service.

Until autumn, calm reigned in this sector of the front. Activity in the air increased sharply with the beginning of the offensive operation of the Red Army. On September 22, Ivan Kozhedub, paired with Sharapov, flew to cover the river crossing between the settlements of Rameyki and Daksti. At a distance of 10-15 km from the crossing, Soviet pilots found two groups, four and eight, Fw -190, walking at an altitude of 3000 m. Kozhedub rapidly attacked the leftmost pair of Focke-Wulfs and opened fire from a distance of 150 m. The German plane managed to drop bombs, after which it went into a chaotic fall and collided with the ground 15 kilometers from the village of Strelchi. The rest of the Focke-Wulfs immediately freed themselves from the bomb load and turned back. In one of the subsequent sorties to cover the crossing, Kozhedub discovered six Fw -190s at an altitude of 1500 m. This time, the leader of the group of German fighter-bombers was attacked. A short burst from a distance of 150 m, fired from Lavochkin guns, put an end to the combat career of a Luftwaffe pilot. Focke-wulf fell 8 km from the crossing. On the way back, the planes of Kozhedub and his wingman came under fire from anti-aircraft guns, the La-7 of the wingman was damaged. The next day, September 23, the La-7 four under the command of A. Baklan conducted an air battle in the Valmiera area; Savin, Aleksandryuk and Vasko shot down one Focke-Wulf each, Baklan damaged one German aircraft, which, dragging a plume of smoke, disappeared in the direction of Riga. On September 25, Kozhedub was appointed deputy squadron commander, Ivan Shcherbakov became his permanent wingman. Shcherbakov was known in the regiment as a hothead. Paired with Kozhedub, he flew a free hunt. Wingman first spotted two Fw-190s. "Cover, I'm attacking," Shcherbakov shouted to the commander. The wingman dived at the enemy, and the experienced Kozhedub noticed two more fokkers that rushed after the wingman. Kozhedub shot down the leader of this pair, but another pair of Fw -190s hung on his tail. Ac dodged, while Shcherbakov knocked down the leader of the first pair. Having lost two commanders, the Germans withdrew from the battle.

Even the great pilots were not immune from failures. Once, while flying on a free hunt, Kozhedub and Titarenko noticed a single two-keel aircraft. The pilots decided that it was a Pe-2, but when they flew closer they saw black crosses on the wings. The characteristic silhouette left no doubt - Dornier Do -217. Kozhedub attacked the enemy. Air gunner Dornier damaged Lavochkin ace with return fire. The plane lost control. With difficulty, Kozhedub brought the La-7 into level flight and tried again to attack the Do-17, but the fighter fell again. With difficulty keeping the plane in level flight, Kozhedub, under the cover of Titarenko, returned to his airfield. Upon inspection, it turned out that the control wiring of one aileron was interrupted on the La-7.

The number of sorties with the onset of winter decreased due to bad weather. The 1st Belorussian Front went on the offensive on January 14, 1945, and the pilots of the regiment were sitting at the airfield: the sky was overcast with low dense clouds, it was snowing heavily. A day later, the most experienced pilots still flew on a free hunt, but to no avail. Luftwaffe pilots also did not fly.

After the capture of Warsaw on January 17, the 176th regiment changed several airfields in a short time, catching up with the advancing units of the Red Army. As the Red Army advanced towards Berlin, the confrontation in the air intensified. Large groups of German bombers, from 50 to 60 aircraft, tried to strike at the Soviet troops. Forward airfields were often attacked by Fw-190 fighter-bombers.

On February 9, 1945, the navigator of the regiment Alexander Kumanichkin, together with his wingman Kramarenko, flew out on a free hunt. In the Sukachev area, the pilots spotted a congestion of vehicles, and there was no anti-aircraft cover. A couple of Lavochkins stormed ground equipment with impunity twice. The pilots were carried away by the attacks of the ground troops and did not notice a pair of Fw -190s that went into a frontal attack. The projectile fired by the Focke-Wulf pierced the wing of the La-7 navigator, the fighter began to react poorly to handle deviations. At this time, the voice of the follower was heard in Kumanichkin's headset: "Commander, a couple of fokkers from behind." The situation has become much more complicated. Kumanichkin gave the command: "Let's go to the clouds." The fuel was running out, and another 100 km remained to fly to their airfield. Kumanichkin barely controlled the damaged fighter, maintaining a speed of about 300 km / h, Kramarenko covered the commander from possible enemy attacks. Both planes made it safely to base. After landing, the pilots were amazed to see that about a third of one of the propeller blades had been shot off, and there was a hole in the other blade with a diameter of 6 cm. Mechanics managed to replace the propeller and motor on the damaged aircraft in just one night. In the morning, the regiment's navigator's La-7 was ready to fly.

Shortly after the memorable battle, Kumanichkin and Kramarenko had a dogfight with two Bf 109s over Odra. The duel lasted ten minutes before Kumanichkin managed to catch the leading rotte in sight. A line of two guns literally tore the Messerschmitt to pieces, the plane fell apart in the air. The second Bf 109 immediately retreated from the battlefield.

On February 10, Kozhedub and Titarenko returned "empty" after a free hunt. At the very airfield, they found two fighters of strange shape - the nose from Bf. 109, tail and wing - from Fw -190. These were the long-nosed Fw-190D, which had not previously been encountered by the guardsmen in the air. Kozhedub attacked the nearest aircraft. The first turn of the ace set fire to an unusual fokker. One Fw -190D went to the ground, the second disappeared into the clouds. Near the ground, the fokker suddenly soared up, but Kozhedub finished off the enemy with a second burst. The figure of the pilot separated from the enemy aircraft, the parachute dome swelled. Fw -190D crashed in the corner of the airfield where the 176th GIAP was based.

Ivan Kozhedub took part in the air battle on February 12, 1945. He flew out on a free hunt paired with Viktor Gromakovsky, Alexander Kumanichkin and Sergey Kramarenko, Orlov and Stetsenko took off with a minimum interval. All three pairs of fighters maintained mutual radio exchange. At this time, up to thirty Fw -190s fell out of the clouds above the front line. The Focke-Wulfs began to line up in battle formation, preparing to strike at the Soviet troops. Kozhedub decided to attack the enemy. He descended to the very ground and attacked the leader of the enemy group from behind. Cannon bursts fired from a distance of 100 meters pierced the Fokker's belly. There is one! Exit from the attack up, roll over and dive on the next enemy aircraft. Under the reliable protection of Gromakovsky, who insured the "tail" of the commander, Kozhedub shot down another Fw -190. After the loss of two aircraft, the German pilots were not up to the attack of the ground forces and they began to reorganize the battle formation. Meanwhile, a couple of Kozhedub also took position for the next attack. At this time, the rest of the hunters of the 176th regiment approached the battlefield. Kumanichkin immediately shot down the leader of the nine Fw -190. Attack La-7 was swift. All Soviet fighters closely interacted with each other, the Focke-Wulf pilots could not withstand the onslaught and began to leave the battle. Kozhedub shot down one fokker leaving the battle. The six Lavochkins in a fleeting battle destroyed eight enemy aircraft: Kumanichkin, Stetsenko and Orlov shot down one each, two - Gromakovsky and Kozhedub chalked up three. Orlov died in the battle.

Kumanichkin, together with the regiment commander Chupikov, on February 14 met in the air with an unusual aircraft. The guards tried to attack the enemy, but the German aircraft unexpectedly quickly broke away from their pursuers. After developing the film of the photo-machine gun, it became clear that the pilots of the 176th GIAP met with the latest Me-262 jet fighter. This was the first meeting of the pilots of the 176th GIAP with the Luftwaffe jet technology, the first, but not the last.

On March 18, 1945, south of Morin, Kozhedub and his wingman conducted an air battle with German fighters attacking an American bomber. Kozhedub shot FW -190 from a distance of 80 m. Focke-Wulf collapsed to the ground 8-10 km north of Kustrin. The second ace plane was shot down in a frontal attack, an enemy fighter fell 6 km northwest of Kustrin.

March 22, 1945 Kozhedub with a wingman carried out another sortie for free hunting. Over the Seelow Heights, they intercepted two groups of Fw -190 marching at altitudes of 3000 and 1000 m, respectively, in total, there were thirty aircraft in two groups. The hunters entered from the direction of the sun and swooped down on the last four of the upper group. The commander and his wingman shot down one Focke-Wulf each. But the attack didn't end there. Kozhedub continued to dive, his target was now the planes of the lower group. From a distance of 180 m as opened fire and shot down another Focke-Wulf.

In the Kustrin area, on April 16, 1945, the Kumanichkin-Kramarenko pair distinguished themselves. The hunters attacked four Fw-190s. Before Kumanichkin opened fire, Kramarenko noticed another four Focke-Wulfs, and these aircraft were in a more vulnerable position. Kramarenko attacked the second four and fired a burst from 80 m directly into the Focke-Wulf motor of the leading rotte. The German fighter rolled over its wing, went into a dive and collided with the ground.

On the evening of April 17, 1945, Kozhedub and Titarenko flew their fourth combat sortie to the Berlin area in a day. Immediately after crossing the front line north of Berlin, the hunters discovered a large group of Fw-190s with suspended bombs. Kozhedub began to gain altitude for the attack and reported to the command post about establishing contact with a group of forty Focke-Wulfs with suspended bombs.

German pilots clearly saw how a pair of Soviet fighters went into the clouds and did not expect that they would appear again. However, the hunters showed up. From behind, Kozhedub in the first attack shot down the leader of the four Fokkers that closed the group. The hunters sought to give the enemy the impression of the presence of a significant number of Soviet fighters in the air. Kozhedub threw his La-7 right into the thick of the enemy aircraft, turning Lavochkin left and right, the ace fired cannons in short bursts. The Germans succumbed to the trick - the Focke-Wulfs began to free themselves from bombs that prevented air combat. However, the Luftwaffe pilots soon established the presence of only two La-7s in the air and, taking advantage of the numerical advantage, took the guards into circulation. One Fw-190 managed to get into the tail of the Kozhedub fighter, but Titarenko opened fire before the German Focke-Wulf pilot exploded in the air. By this time, help had arrived - the La-7 group from the 176th regiment, Titarenko and Kozhedub were able to get out of the battle on the last remaining fuel. On the way back, Kozhedub saw a single Fw -190, which was still trying to drop bombs on Soviet troops. Ace dived and shot down an enemy plane. It was the last, 62nd, German aircraft shot down by the best Allied fighter pilot. Kozhedub's total score does not include at least two aircraft - American P-51D Mustang fighters. In one of the battles in April, Kozhedub tried to drive off German fighters from the American Flying Fortress with cannon fire. US Air Force escort fighters misunderstood the intentions of the La-7 pilot and opened barrage fire from a long distance. Kozhedub, apparently, also mistook the Mustangs for Messers, left the fire with a coup and, in turn, attacked the “enemy”. He damaged one Mustang (the plane, smoking, left the battlefield and, after flying a little, fell, the pilot jumped out with a parachute), the second P-51D exploded in the air. Only after a successful attack did Kozhedub notice the white stars of the US Air Force on the wings and fuselages of the planes he shot down. After landing, the regiment commander, Colonel Chupikov, advised Kozhedub to keep quiet about the incident and gave him the developed film of the photo-machine gun. The existence of a film with footage of burning Mustangs became known only after the death of the legendary pilot.

At the end of April, Ivan Kozhedub was summoned to Moscow to take part in the celebrations on the occasion of the Day of International Solidarity of Workers, which workers around the world at that time had the habit of celebrating on May 1 every year. The ace met Victory Day in Moscow. In total, Ivan Kozhedub completed 330 sorties, conducted 120 air battles, in which he personally shot down 62 enemy aircraft. There are versions that the Hero's personal score is three times higher - in the region of one hundred victories. The third Golden Star Ivan Kozhedub was awarded on August 18, 1945.

In 1951, Colonel Kozhedub commanded the 324th IAD and was on a business trip abroad, in Korea. The pilots of the division fought the Americans on MiG-15 fighters and achieved the best result among all the fighter formations of the Soviet Army Air Force that took part in the Korean War. Kozhedub himself was strictly forbidden to take part in the battles.

On April 30, 1945, Kumanichkin and Kramarenko took off from the Schönifeld airfield to intercept the Fw -190 group. Shortly after takeoff, the hunters approached a group of 16 Focke-Wulfs with suspended bombs. As soon as the Germans noticed a pair of La-7s, eight Fw-190s dropped their bombs, but the rest continued to fly towards the advancing Soviet troops. Eight Fw -190, which turned from bombers into fighters, tried to impose an air battle on the hunters. Kumanichkin was in a difficult position, but a wingman came to his aid and thwarted the attack. The leader broke through to the eight, which did not drop the bombs, and shot down one plane. Focke-wulf fell in the western suburbs of Berlin. It was the 36th and last victory of A.S. Kumanichkin.

Vladimir Gromakovsky graduated from flight school in the middle of 1942, and in August he was assigned to the 19th IAP. During the two years of the war, Gromakovsky conducted relatively few air battles. In 25 battles, he shot down ten enemy aircraft. After joining the La-7 regiment, Gromakovsky began to take part in battles much more often, he repeatedly flew in tandem with Kozhedub. So, being led by Kozhedub, Gromakovsky in the battle on February 12, 1945 shot down two Fw -190s that were trying to attach themselves to the tail of the commander's plane. On March 22, Gromakovsky, in a campaign with Kozhedub, Kumanichkin and Titarenko, attacked a large group of Fw-190s and shot down one fokker.

On April 19, over Berlin, Gromakovsky shot down another Fokker; he won his last two victories in air battles five days later, also in the skies of Berlin. Vladimir Gromakovsky completed 186 sorties, shot down 16 enemy aircraft in 29 air battles. He was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on May 15, 1946.

Major Alexander Kumanichkin is another outstanding fighter pilot who fought shoulder to shoulder with Ivan Kozhedub as part of the 176th GIAP. The fate of Kumanichkin is in many ways similar to the fate of Kozhedub. He graduated from flight school before the war, served as an instructor until July 1942, then was sent to the 40th IAP. The regiment fought in the North Caucasus and was armed with MiG-3 and I-16 fighters. At the end of the year, it was completely re-equipped with La-5 aircraft. By November 1943, Kumanichkin completed 196 sorties, conducted 36 air battles, shot down 18 aircraft personally and one in a group. April 13, 1944 Alexander Kumanichkin was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. In September 1944, Major Kumanichkin was transferred to the 176th GIAP as a regiment navigator.

In the first days of January 1945, Kumanichkin, together with the regiment commander, Colonel Chupikov, flew out on a free hunt, the pilots wanted to test the photo-camera guns recently installed on the planes. Aces discovered a pair of Bf . 109 with bombs on an external sling. Shooting down such prey seemed to be not difficult for skilled pilots, but the Messers unexpectedly accelerated sharply and easily broke away from the pursuit. Film shots showed that not bombs, but rocket boosters hung on the external suspension of German aircraft.

Alexander Kumanichkin performed more than 300 sorties during the war, conducted 70 air battles, shot down 31 aircraft personally and one in a group. In 1951-1952. Kumanichkin, first as deputy commander, and then as commander of the 303rd IAD, was in Korea. The veteran of the Great Patriotic War also became a jet ace, shooting down six American aircraft on the MiG-15.

From June 1944 to May 9, 1945, the pilots of the 176th GIAP made 2961 sorties, conducted 185 air battles, in which 212 enemy aircraft were shot down. Own losses during this period amounted to 23 aircraft (four pilots), there were no non-combat losses.

For the excellent performance of command assignments for the period from 06/06/1944 to 05/09/1945 (2961 combat sorties, 172 enemy aircraft shot down in air battles and 48 enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground) on June 1, 1945, the regiment was awarded the Order of Kutuzov 3- th degree.

During the Great Patriotic War, pilots of the 176th Guards Proskurovsky Order of the Red Banner, Alexander Nevsky and Kutuzov Fighter Aviation Regiment made 8422 sorties, conducted 711 air battles and shot down 398 enemy aircraft, another 56 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground, destroyed by assault actions of the regiment pilots 3 tanks, 256 motor vehicles, 213 wagons, 7 tank trucks, 7 anti-aircraft batteries, 36 locomotives disabled, 1 railway echelon burned. Ten pilots won more than 15 victories each in air battles. Combat losses amounted to 48 pilots and 104 aircraft, non-combat 5 pilots and 15 aircraft.

176th Guards "Proskurovsky" Red Banner Order of Kutuzov III degree and Alexander Nevsky Fighter Aviation Regiment (1st formation).

(HF PP 49772)

(brief historical background)

By order of NPO No. 0271 dated August 19, 1944, the 19th "Proskurovsky" Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Aviation Regiment was renamed the 176th Guards "Proskurovsky" Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Aviation Regiment.

Being in service:

As part of the active army:

As part of associations:

From August 19, 1944 to June 10, 1945 - as part of the 16th Air Army (1st formation) of the 1st Belorussian Front.
From June 10, 1945 to May 29, 1946 - as part of the 16th Air Army (1st formation) of the Group of Soviet Occupation Forces in Germany.
From May 29, 1946 to December 1950 - as part of the Air Force of the Moscow Military District.
From December 25, 1950 to March 31, 1951 - as part of the Task Force of the USSR Air Force in China.
From March 31, 1951 to January 31, 1952 - as part of the United Air Army.
From February 1952 to August 20, 1954 - as part of the 52nd Air Fighter Army Central region air defense.
From August 20, 1954 to May 31, 1960 - as part of the 52nd Air Fighter Army of the Moscow Air Defense District.

In the hulls:

From January 1945 until the end of the war - under the operational control of the 3rd Fighter Aviation Corps.
From December 25, 1950 to February 1, 1952 - as part of the 64th Fighter Aviation Corps.
From February 1952 to May 31, 1960 - as part of the 78th Guards "Lvov" Red Banner Order of Suvorov, II degree, Fighter Aviation Corps.

As part of the division:

From April 1945 until the end of the war - under the operational control of the 265th Fighter Aviation Division.
From May 29, 1946 to March 1958 - as part of the 324th "Svirskaya" Red Banner Fighter Aviation Division.
From March 1958 to May 31, 1960 - as part of the 98th Guards "Bryansk" Red Banner Order of Suvorov II degree fighter aviation division.

Regiment Command:

Hero of the Soviet Union Guard Colonel Chupikov Pavel Fedorovich - from August 19, 1944 to 1947.
Guard Lieutenant Colonel Kotelnikov Konstantin Konstantinovich - from 1947 to 1948.
Hero of the Soviet Union Guards Lieutenant Colonel Kumanichkin Alexander Sergeevich - from 1948 to 1948.
Guard Lieutenant Colonel Shulzhenko Nikolai Nikolaevich - from 1948 to 1950.
Guard Lieutenant Colonel Andrey Semyonovich Koshel - from 1950 to 1951.
Guard Lieutenant Colonel Sergey Fedorovich Vishnyakov - from April 3, 1951 to 1953.
Guard Lieutenant Colonel Buchenkov Vladimir Fedorovich - from 1953 to 1956.

Participation in operations and battles:

Vistula-Oder operation - from January 12, 1945 to February 3, 1945.
Warsaw-Poznan operation - from January 14, 1945 to February 3, 1945.
East Pomeranian operation - from February 10, 1945 to April 4, 1945.
Berlin operation - from April 16, 1945 to May 8, 1945.
Korea - from December 25, 1950 to February 1, 1952.

Awards:

For the exemplary performance of the combat missions of the command in battles with the German invaders for the capture of the capital of Germany, the city of Berlin, and the valor and courage shown at the same time by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of June 11, 1945 on the basis of the Order of the Supreme Command No. 359 of May 2, 1945, the 176th Guards " Proskurovsky" Red Banner Order of Alexander Nevsky Fighter Aviation Regiment was awarded the Order of Kutuzov III degree.

Acknowledgments are made to:

By order of the Supreme High Command No. 223 of January 17, 1945 for the capture of the city of Warsaw.
By order of the Supreme High Command No. 228 of January 18, 1945 for the capture of the cities of Sokhachev, Skierniewice and Lovich.
By order of the Supreme High Command No. 233 of January 19, 1945, for the capture of the cities of Lodz, Kutno, Tomaszow (Tomashov), Gostynin and Lenchica.
By order of the Supreme High Command No. 288 of March 4, 1945, the capture of the cities of Berwalde, Tempelburg, Falkenburg, Dramburg, Wangerin, Labes, Freienwalde, Schiffelbein, Regenwalde and Kerlin.
By order of the Supreme High Command No. 339 of April 23, 1945, for the possession of the cities of Frankfurt an der Oder, Wandlitz, Oranienburg, Birkenwerder, Gennigsdorf, Pankow, Friedrichsfelde, Karlshorst, Köpenick and entry into the capital of Germany, the city of Berlin.
By order of the Supreme High Command No. 359 of May 2, 1945 for the capture of the city of Berlin.

Heroes of the Soviet Union:

February 23, 1945. Karaev Alexander Akimovich. Guard Senior Lieutenant. The deputy squadron commander of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 16th Air Army was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Gold Star No. 4915.
June 29, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. Guard Senior Lieutenant. The flight commander of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 16th Air Army was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Gold Star No. 7996.
June 29, 1945. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. Guard Senior Lieutenant. The senior pilot of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 265th Fighter Aviation Division of the 3rd Fighter Aviation Corps of the 16th Air Army was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Gold Star No. 7980.
August 18, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich Guard Major. The deputy commander of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 16th Air Army was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union three times. Golden Star #3/3
May 15, 1946. Vasko Alexander Fedorovich. Guard Lieutenant. The pilot of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 16th Air Army was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Gold Star No. 8976.
May 15, 1946. Gromakovskiy Vladimir Alexandrovich Guard Senior Lieutenant. The flight commander of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 16th Air Army was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Gold Star No. 8979.
May 15, 1946 Shcherbakov Ivan Ivanovich. Guard Captain. The squadron commander of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 265th Fighter Aviation Division of the 3rd Fighter Aviation Corps of the 16th Air Army was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Gold Star No. 8984.
October 10, 1951. Ges Grigory Ivanovich. Guard captain. The squadron commander of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 324th Fighter Aviation Division of the 64th Fighter Aviation Corps was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Gold Star No. 10871.
October 10, 1951. Kramarenko Sergey Makarovich. Guard captain. The deputy squadron commander of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 324th Fighter Aviation Division of the 64th Fighter Aviation Corps was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Gold Star No. 9283.
October 10, 1951. Obraztsov Boris Alexandrovich. Guard Senior Lieutenant. The pilot of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 324th Fighter Aviation Division of the 64th Fighter Aviation Corps was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union (posthumously).
October 10, 1951. Subbotin Serafim Pavlovich. Guard Major. The navigator of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 324th Fighter Aviation Division of the 64th Fighter Aviation Corps was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union. Gold Star No. 9289.

Air victories:

August 22, 1944. Maslyakov Pavel Ivanovich He shot down Xe-111 in the Zhirardov area.
September 22, 1944. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich Shot down FV-190 northwest of Strenchi.
September 22, 1944. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich Shot down FV-190 southwest of Ramnieki-Daksta.
September 22, 1944. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. He shot down Xe-111 east of Skierniewitz.
September 23, 1944. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. Shot down FV-190 northwest of Valmiera.
September 23, 1944. Baklan Andrei Yakovlevich. Shot down FV-190 northwest of Valmiera.
September 23, 1944. Shcherbakov Ivan Ivanovich Shot down an FV-190 south of Ruein.
September 24, 1944. Orlov Georgy Prokofievich. Shot down Yu-87 southwest of Warsaw.
September 25, 1944. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich Shot down FV-190 northwest of Valmiera.
September 25, 1944. Shcherbakov Ivan Ivanovich Shot down FV-190 northwest of Valmiera.
September 26, 1944. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. He shot down the FV-189 over the Sokhachev airfield.
September 26, 1944. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. He shot down an FV-190 south of the Sokhachev airfield.
September 29, 1944. Belikov Oleg Stepanovich. Shot down Yu-87 southwest of Warsaw.
October 18, 1944. Belikov Oleg Stepanovich. Shot down Me-109 west of Jablonn.
October 25, 1944. Karaev Alexander Akimovich. Shot down Me-109 southwest of Naselsk.

October 25, 1944. Maslyakov Pavel Ivanovich Shot down an FV-190 south of Novee Miasto.
October 25, 1944. Tarakanov Mikhail Fedorovich Shot down FV-190 east of Krochev.
October 26, 1944. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. Shtorkh shot down east of the Sokhachev airfield.
December 15, 1944. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. He shot down a Me-110 in the Nove Miasto area.
December 22, 1944. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. He shot down a Yu-88 in the Grunets area.
January 16, 1945. Vasko Alexander Fedorovich. Shot down Me-109 northeast of Tomaszow.
January 16, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich Shot down FV-190 south of Studzyan.
January 16, 1945. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. He shot down the FV-190 over the Sokhachev airfield.
January 16, 1945. Savin Nikolay Ivanovich. Shot down FV-190 south of Zhechits.
January 18, 1945. Stetsenko Andrey Emelyanovich. Shot down Me-109 southeast of Gombin.
February 9, 1945. Kumanichkin Alexander Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 southwest of Gross Neuendorf.
February 9, 1945. Belikov Oleg Stepanovich. Shot down FV-190 north of Tsakhov.

February 9, 1945. Orlov Georgy Prokofievich. Shot down FV-190 east of Tsakhov.
February 9, 1945. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 south of Zunnersdorf.
February 9, 1945. Stetsenko Andrey Emelyanovich. Shot down FV-190 south of Vritsen.
February 9, 1945. Shcherbakov Ivan Ivanovich Shot down FV-189 southwest of Vritsen.
February 10, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. He shot down an FV-190 in the Freienfelde area.
February 10, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. He shot down an FV-190 in the Lechin area.
February 10, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich Shot down FV-190 northwest of Morin airfield.

February 12, 1945. Gromakovskiy Vladimir Alexandrovich Shot down FV-190 west of Lechin.

February 12, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich Shot down FV-190 west of Kinitz.
February 12, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich He shot down the FV-190 in the area of \u200b\u200bLake Kitzer See.
February 12, 1945. Kumanichkin Alexander Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 southwest of Cellin.
February 12, 1945. Orlov Georgy Prokofievich. Shot down FV-190 west of Kinits.
February 12, 1945. Stetsenko Andrey Emelyanovich. He shot down an FV-190 in the Klein-Neuendorf area.
February 15, 1945. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 west of Kustrin.
February 15, 1945. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 east of Bukov.
February 17, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich Shot down Me-262 east of Alt Friedland.
February 19, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich Shot down Me-109 north of Furstenwalde.
February 20, 1945. Maslyakov Pavel Ivanovich Shot down Me-109 north of Sachsendorf.
March 6, 1945. Maslyakov Pavel Ivanovich Shot down Yu-88 west of Gollnov.
March 8, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. Shot down Me-109 east of Pelitz.
March 8, 1945. Vasko Alexander Fedorovich. Shot down Me-109 northeast of Pelitz.
March 8, 1945. Maslyakov Pavel Ivanovich Shot down Me-109 south of Pomerenzdor.
March 9, 1945. Chupikov Pavel Fedorovich Shot down Me-109 southeast of Alt Damm.
March 9, 1945. Chupikov Pavel Fedorovich Shot down FV-190 southeast of Frauenhof.
March 11, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich Shot down FV-190 north of Brunchen.
March 11, 1945. Kumanichkin Alexander Sergeevich. Shot down Me-109 southeast of Altdamm.
March 11, 1945. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. Shot down Me-109 west of Greifenhagen.
March 11, 1945. Chupikov Pavel Fedorovich Shot down FV-190 southwest of Altdamm.
March 11, 1945. Chupikov Pavel Fedorovich Shot down Me-109 south of Altdamm.
March 15, 1945. Azarov Evgeny Alexandrovich. Shot down FV-190 southwest of Altdamm.
March 15, 1945. Kumanichkin Alexander Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 east of Greifenhagen.
March 18, 1945. Azarov Evgeny Alexandrovich. Shot down FV-190.
March 18, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich Shot down FV-190 north of Kustrin.
March 18, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich Shot down FV-190 northwest of Kustrin.
March 22, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. Shot down FV-190 north of Obersdorf.
March 22, 1945. Vasko Alexander Fedorovich. Shot down FV-190 north of Müncheberg.
March 22, 1945. Gromakovskiy Vladimir Alexandrovich Shot down FV-190 west of Zeelov.
March 22, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich Shot down FV-190 north of Zeelov.
March 22, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich Shot down FV-190 east of Guzov.
March 22, 1945. Kumanichkin Alexander Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 west of Zeelov.
March 22, 1945. Shcherbakov Ivan Ivanovich Shot down FV-190 east of Bukov.
March 23, 1945. Vasko Alexander Fedorovich. Shot down FV-190 west of Zeelov.
March 23, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. Shot down FV-190 east of Strausberg.
March 23, 1945. Gromakovskiy Vladimir Alexandrovich Shot down FV-190 southwest of Kustrin.
March 23, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich He shot down an FV-190 in the Werbig area.
March 23, 1945. Kumanichkin Alexander Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 in the Roshtok area.
March 23, 1945. Kumanichkin Alexander Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 east of Roshtok.
March 23, 1945. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 north of Bukov.
March 23, 1945. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 east of Furstenwalde.
March 23, 1945. Shcherbakov Ivan Ivanovich Shot down FV-190 southwest of Geritz.
March 23, 1945. Shcherbakov Ivan Ivanovich Shot down FV-190 south of Sachsendorf.
March 23, 1945. Shcherbakov Ivan Ivanovich Shot down FV-190 northwest of Zeelov.
March 27, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. Shot down Me-109 west of Alt-Rüdnitz.
March 27, 1945. Vasko Alexander Fedorovich. Shot down FV-190 east of Bad Freienfelde.
March 27, 1945. Gromakovskiy Vladimir Alexandrovich Shot down FV-190 north of Lunov.
March 27, 1945. Kumanichkin Alexander Sergeevich. Shot down Me-109 south of Kinitz.
April 14, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. Shot down Me-109 west of Ebersfelde.
April 14, 1945. Kramarenko Sergey Makarovich. Shot down FV-190 south of Sachsendorf.
April 14, 1945. Kumanichkin Alexander Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 south of Sachsendorf.
April 14, 1945. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 northwest of Alt-Friedland.
April 14, 1945. Savin Nikolay Ivanovich. Shot down Me-109 southwest of Vritsen.
April 16, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. Shot down FV-190 west of Zeelov.
April 16, 1945. Belikov Oleg Stepanovich. Shot down FV-190 west of Guzov.
April 16, 1945. Vasko Alexander Fedorovich. He shot down an FV-190 in the Seelow area.
April 16, 1945. Gromakovskiy Vladimir Alexandrovich Shot down FV-190 southwest of Markdorf.
April 16, 1945. Karaev Alexander Akimovich. Shot down FV-190 north of Furstenwalde.
April 16, 1945. Karaev Alexander Akimovich. Shot down FV-190 east of Hainersdorf.
April 16, 1945. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. He shot down an FV-190 in the Neubrück area.
April 16, 1945. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. He shot down an FV-190 in the Vritsen area.
April 16, 1945. Savin Nikolay Ivanovich. Shot down FV-190 southwest of Zeelov.
April 17, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich He shot down an FV-190 in the Vritsen area.
April 17, 1945. Kozhedub Ivan Nikitovich He shot down an FV-190 in the Kinitz area.
April 17, 1945. Savin Nikolay Ivanovich. Shot down FV-190 south of Müncheberg.
April 17, 1945. Shcherbakov Ivan Ivanovich Shot down FV-190 south of Müncheberg.
April 17, 1945. Shcherbakov Ivan Ivanovich Shot down FV-190 south of Pretzel.
April 18, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. Shot down FV-190 northeast of Müncheberg.
April 18, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. Shot down FV-190 east of Strausberg.
April 18, 1945. Vasko Alexander Fedorovich. Shot down FV-190 north of Munichberg.
April 18, 1945. Vasko Alexander Fedorovich. Shot down Me-109 north of Munichberg.
April 18, 1945. Karaev Alexander Akimovich. Shot down FV-190 southwest of Vritsen.
April 18, 1945. Kumanichkin Alexander Sergeevich. Shot down Me-109 west of Vritsen.
April 18, 1945. Maslyakov Pavel Ivanovich He shot down an FV-190 in the Müncheberg area.
April 18, 1945. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. He shot down an FV-190 in the Oderberg area.
April 18, 1945. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 west of Trebuje.
April 18, 1945. Savin Nikolay Ivanovich. Shot down Me-109 northeast of Müncheberg.
April 18, 1945. Savin Nikolay Ivanovich. He shot down a Me-109 in the Alt Friedland area.
April 18, 1945. Stetsenko Andrey Emelyanovich. He shot down an FV-190 in the Vulkov area.
April 19, 1945. Azarov Evgeny Alexandrovich. Shot down FV-190 northeast of Strausberg.
April 19, 1945. Gromakovskiy Vladimir Alexandrovich He shot down the FV-190 near the Adlershof airfield.
April 19, 1945. Stetsenko Andrey Emelyanovich. Shot down FV-190 northeast of Strausberg.
April 20, 1945. Rudenko Nikolay Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 south of Ebersfelde.
April 22, 1945. Karaev Alexander Akimovich. Shot down Me-109 east of Mullenbeck.
April 23, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. Shot down FV-190 northwest of Falkensee.
April 23, 1945. Vasko Alexander Fedorovich. Shot down FV-190 east of Sommerfeld.
April 23, 1945. Stetsenko Andrey Emelyanovich. Shot down Me-109 southeast of Birkenwerder.
April 23, 1945. Chupikov Pavel Fedorovich Shot down FV-190 north of Berlin.
April 23, 1945. Shcherbakov Ivan Ivanovich Shot down Me-109 in the Friedrichsfelde area.
April 24, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. Shot down Me-109 south of Neu-Ruppin.
April 24, 1945. Gromakovskiy Vladimir Alexandrovich Shot down FV-190 southwest of Lake Deretz See.
April 24, 1945. Gromakovskiy Vladimir Alexandrovich Shot down FV-190 northeast of Liebenfelde.
April 25, 1945. Savin Nikolay Ivanovich. Shot down FV-190 north of Ketzen.
April 29, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. He shot down the FV-190 in the Koenigsdorf area.
April 29, 1945. Aleksandryuk Viktor Ilyich. Shot down FV-190 west of Velten.
April 29, 1945. Vasko Alexander Fedorovich. Shot down FV-190 south of Velten.
April 29, 1945. Gromakovskiy Vladimir Alexandrovich Shot down FV-190 southwest of Velefants.
April 29, 1945. Kumanichkin Alexander Sergeevich. Shot down FV-190 west of Berlin.
April 29, 1945. Maslyakov Pavel Ivanovich Shot down Me-109 in the Fehrbellin area.
April 29, 1945. Plitkin Anatoly Alekseevich. Shot down FV-190 northwest of Neuen.
April 29, 1945. Stetsenko Andrey Emelyanovich. Shot down northwest of Neuen.
April 3, 1951 Yablokov Ivan Alexandrovich He shot down an F-86 in the Singisyu area.
April 7, 1951 Obraztsov Boris Alexandrovich. He shot down an F-84 near the Yalu River.
April 8, 1951 Ges Grigory Ivanovich. Shot down a B-26 southeast of Anshu.
April 9, 1951 Vasko Alexander Fedorovich. Shot down an F-86 SABER near the Yalu River.
April 10, 1951. Gogolev Anatoly Pavlovich. He shot down an F-80 in the Anshu area.
April 12, 1951. Ges Grigory Ivanovich. He shot down a B-29 in the Andong-Sinuiju area.
April 12, 1951. Kramarenko Sergey Makarovich. He shot down an F-80 in the Andong-Sinuiju area.
April 12, 1951. Lazutin Alexander Vasilievich He shot down an F-80 in the Andong-Sinuiju area.
April 12, 1951. Obraztsov Boris Alexandrovich. He shot down a B-29 in the Andong-Sinuiju area.
April 12, 1951. Plitkin Anatoly Alekseevich. He shot down a B-29 in the Andong-Sinuiju area.
April 24, 1951. Ges Grigory Ivanovich. Shot down an F-86 SABER near the Yalu River.
May 9, 1951 Ges Grigory Ivanovich. He shot down an F-84 in the Taishu area.
June 1, 1951 Goncharov Nikolay Mikhailovich Shot down an F-86 "SABER" in the Sensen area.
June 2, 1951 Kramarenko Sergey Makarovich. He shot down an F-86 SABER in the Anshu area.
June 17, 1951. Kramarenko Sergey Makarovich. Shot down an F-86 "SABER" in the Sensen area.
June 18, 1951 Plitkin Anatoly Alekseevich. Shot down an F-86 SABER south of Teishu.
June 20, 1951. Vishnyakov Sergey Fyodorovich. Shot down a P-51 near Symbito Island.
June 20, 1951. Golovachev Anatoly Fedorovich. Shot down a P-51 near Symbito Island.
June 20, 1951. Ges Grigory Ivanovich. Shot down a P-51 near Symbito Island.
June 22, 1951. Obraztsov Boris Alexandrovich. Shot down an F-86 "SABER" in the Sensen area.
June 23, 1951 Kramarenko Sergey Makarovich. Shot down an F-86 SABER in the Teishu area.
June 24, 1951 Goncharov Nikolay Mikhailovich He shot down an F-80 in the Anshu area.
July 8, 1951 Verdysh Alexander Prokopevich. Shot down an F-86 "SABER" in the Sensen area.
July 8, 1951 Vishnyakov Sergey Fyodorovich. Shot down an F-86 "SABER" in the Sensen area.
July 11, 1951. Kramarenko Sergey Makarovich. Shot down an F-86 SABER in the Xianreikang area.
July 11, 1951. Obraztsov Boris Alexandrovich. Shot down an F-86 SABER near the Yalu River.
July 29, 1951 Kramarenko Sergey Makarovich. Shot down an F-86 SABER in the Teishu area.
September 9, 1951. Ges Grigory Ivanovich. Shot down an F-86 SABER in the Junsen area.
September 10, 1951. Ges Grigory Ivanovich. Shot down an F-80 in the Hakusen area.
September 10, 1951. Ges Grigory Ivanovich. Shot down by a Meteor in the Hakusen area.
September 12, 1951. Gogolev Anatoly Pavlovich. He shot down an F-86 SABER in the Syarenkan area.
September 12, 1951. Kravtsov Nikolay Petrovich. Shot down an F-80 in the Juisen area.
September 12, 1951. Kramarenko Sergey Makarovich. Shot down an F-80 in the Junsen area.
September 13, 1951. Verdysh Alexander Prokopevich. Shot down a P-51 in the Kakusen area.
September 13, 1951. Plitkin Anatoly Alekseevich. Shot down a P-51 in the Kakusen area.
September 22, 1951. Kramarenko Sergey Makarovich. He shot down an F-86 SABER in the Anshu-Hakusen area.
September 25, 1951. Vasko Alexander Fedorovich. Shot down an F-86 SABER in the Hakusen area.
November 4, 1951 Goncharov Nikolay Mikhailovich He shot down an F-84 in the Pyongyang area.
November 4, 1951 Zyuz Ivan Akimovich. Shot down F9F2 in the Pyongyang area.
November 10, 1951. Plitkin Anatoly Alekseevich. He shot down an F-84 in the Pyongyang-Tsynampo area.
November 29, 1951. Goncharov Nikolay Mikhailovich Shot down an F-86 "SABER" in the Eiju area.
December 1, 1951. Vasko Alexander Fedorovich. Shot down by Meteor southeast of Juysen.
December 1, 1951. Vishnyakov Sergey Fyodorovich. Shot down by Meteor southeast of Juysen.
December 1, 1951. Golovachev Anatoly Fedorovich. Shot down by Meteor southeast of Juysen.
December 1, 1951. Gulyi Ikar Nikolaevich. Shot down by Meteor southeast of Juysen.

December 1, 1951. Kramarenko Sergey Makarovich. Shot down by Meteor southeast of Juysen.
December 2, 1951. Vishnyakov Sergey Fyodorovich. He shot down an F-84 in the Phnyang area.
December 2, 1951. Kravtsov Nikolay Petrovich. He shot down an F-84 in the Phnyang area.
December 4, 1951. Nikulin Pavel Fedorovich. He shot down an F-86 SABER in the Anshu area.
December 5, 1951 Vishnyakov Sergey Fyodorovich. He shot down an F-84 in the Juisen area.
December 8, 1951. Vishnyakov Sergey Fyodorovich. He shot down an F-86 SABER in the Juisen-Pyongyang area.
December 8, 1951. Lazutin Alexander Vasilievich He shot down an F-86 SABER in the Juisen-Pyongyang area.
December 14, 1951. Lazutin Alexander Vasilievich Shot down an F-86 SABER.
December 28, 1951. Goncharov Nikolay Mikhailovich Shot down an F-86 SABER south of Kaisen.
January 12, 1952. Gulyi Ikar Nikolaevich. He shot down an F-86 SABER near the Supkhun hydroelectric power station.
January 12, 1952. Kramarenko Sergey Makarovich. He shot down an F-86 SABER near the Supkhun hydroelectric power station.
January 12, 1952. Kramarenko Sergey Makarovich. Shot down an F-86 "SABER" in the Sensen-Thaisen area.
January 12, 1952. Moroz Nikolay Kuzmich. He shot down an F-86 SABER near the Supkhun hydroelectric power station.
January 16, 1952. Kramarenko Sergey Makarovich. Shot down an F-86 SABER east of Taishu.

THE LIST OF VICTORIES IS TO BE SPECIFIED.

February 12, 1945. Orlov Georgy Prokofievich. Guard Lieutenant. Pilot of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment (12 personal and 1 group victory). Shot down in a dogfight on a La-7 aircraft.
April 3, 1951 Nikitchenko Pavel Demidovich. Guard Senior Lieutenant. Pilot of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. Killed in air combat on a MiG-15 aircraft. He was buried at the fraternal cemetery in the city of Port Arthur.
April 9, 1951 Slabkin Fedor Vasilievich. Guard Senior Lieutenant. Pilot of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. Killed in air combat on a MiG-15 aircraft. He was buried at the fraternal cemetery in the city of Port Arthur.
June 23, 1951 Negodyaev Vladimir Fyodorovich Guard Lieutenant. Pilot of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. Killed in air combat on a MiG-15 aircraft. He was buried at the fraternal cemetery in the city of Port Arthur.
July 11, 1951. Obraztsov Boris Alexandrovich. Guard Senior Lieutenant. Pilot of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. Killed in air combat on a MiG-15 aircraft. He was buried at the fraternal cemetery in the city of Port Arthur. Posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
January 17, 1952. Filippov Alexander Vasilievich. Guard Senior Lieutenant. Pilot of the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment. Killed in air combat on a MiG-15 aircraft. He was buried at the fraternal cemetery in the city of Port Arthur.

THE LIST OF LOSSES IS TO BE SPECIFIED.

Armament:

La-7 - from 1944 to 1948.
La-9 - from 1948 to 1949.
La-11 - from 1948 to 1949.
MiG-15 - from 1949 to 1956.
MiG-17 - from 1956 to 1960.

Dislocation:

Ulenzha - from August 19, 1944 to?
Werneuchen - from April 1945 to May 1945.
Schnwalde - from May 1945 to May 1946.
Teply Stan - from May 1946 to November 1950.
Dongfayayen - from December 25, 1950 to March 30, 1951.
Andong - from March 30, 1951 to February 1, 1952.
Vorotynsk-Oreshkovo - from February 1952 to May 31, 1960.

On May 31, 1960, the 176th Guards "Proskurovsky" Red Banner Order of Kutuzov III degree and Alexander Nevsky Fighter Aviation Regiment was disbanded at the Oreshkovo airfield.

Sources of information:

http://www.allaces.ru
http://www.warheroes.ru
Combat composition of the Soviet Army.
"All Fighter Aviation Regiments of Stalin". Vladimir Anokhin. Mikhail Bykov. Yauza-press. 2014.
"Commanders". Kuchkovo field. 2006.
"Comcors" (vol. 2). Kuchkovo field. 2006.
"Division Commanders" (vol. 2). Kuchkovo field. 2014.

Please report any errors or inaccuracies to [email protected]

Regiment commanders

Rank	Name	Period	Note
major		22.03.38 - 12.38
captain	Alexander Andreevich Zaitsev	12.38 - 07.39
captain	Andreev	07.39 - 19.10.39	VrID
major	Anatoly Vasilievich Tretyakov	08.39 - 10.40
major	Andrey Grigorievich Tkachenko	10.40 - 11.42
major	Leonid Alexandrovich Orlov	11.42 - 15.03.43	perished
major	Grigory Andreevich Pustovoi	05.43 - 08.43
colonel	Lev Lvovich Shestakov	29.08.43 - 13.03.44	perished
lieutenant colonel, from August 1944 colonel	Pavel Fedorovich Chupikov	26.03.44 - 08.10.47

In the active army:

06/22/41 - 12/17/41 (19 IAP)
02/25/42 - 07/15/42 (19 IAP)
09/11/42 - 09/23/42 (19 IAP)
01/02/43 - 03/20/43 (19 IAP)
07/03/43 - 07/25/43 (19 IAP)
01/08/44 - 08/19/44 (19 IAP)
08/19/44 - 05/09/45 (176 GIAP)

It was formed on 03/22/1938 in the town of Gorelovo, Leningrad Region, to carry out the responsible tasks of the Soviet Government and the military command from the pilots who fought in the skies of Spain, on the basis of 70, 58 fighter AE and 33 separate reconnaissance AE.

He was part of the 54th Light Aviation Brigade.

He was armed with I-15bis, I-153, I-16 aircraft.

In the summer of 1939, the regiment took part in the fighting against Japan at Khalkhin Gol in Mongolia.

From 17.09. Until 10/06/39, the regiment's pilots performed various combat missions of the government to assist the peoples of Western Ukraine and Belarus, making 1420 sorties.

In October 1939, the regiment returned to the Gorelovo airfield, having successfully completed a difficult flight with 7 landings at intermediate airfields, where the pilots independently prepared their aircraft for takeoff.

From 11/30/39 to 03/13/40, the regiment defended the northwestern borders of the country and Leningrad. During this period of hostilities, 3412 sorties were completed. There were no losses of personnel and materiel.

For the excellent performance of command assignments, valor and courage of the personnel, by the Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of 04/11/40, the regiment was awarded the Order of the Red Banner, 87 officers of the regiment received orders and medals.

In early August 1944, the regiment returned to the 16th VA again.

The pilots of the regiment distinguished themselves in the battles for the Magnushevsky bridgehead in August 1944.

Transformed by the Order of the NPO of the USSR No. 0270 dated 08/19/44 in 176 giap.

In total, for the period from 06/22/41 to 07/06/44, the regiment carried out 5574 sorties, destroyed 220 enemy aircraft.

For active participation in breaking through the defenses in the Bobruisk direction in the area of the city of Kovel, the liberation of the cities of Baranovichi, Lublin, Siedlce, Minsk-Mazovetsky, Lukav as part of the 1st Belorussian Front, the regiment is noted in the orders of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.

In just one day, 09/20/44, 10 pilots of the regiment, led by three times Hero of the Soviet Union I.N. Kozhedub, shot down 8 enemy aircraft in 12 air battles near Riga.

In total, in 1944, the regiment carried out 4016 sorties, during which it destroyed 131 enemy aircraft.

Since January 1945, the regiment was transferred to the operational subordination of the commander of the 3rd Iak .

In 1945, the regiment participated in breaking through the enemy defenses on the western bank of the river. Vistula, south of Warsaw, as well as in the liberation of the Polish cities of Sokhachev, Skiernivitsy, Lovich, Lodz, Kutno, Tomaluz, Vygdov.

The regiment took the last step of its combat path in Berlin.

Before the beginning Berlin operation in April 1945, the regiment became part of the 265th iad (3rd iad, 16th VA).

During this period of hostilities, the regiment carried out 1147 sorties, during which 158 enemy aircraft were shot down and 4 destroyed on the ground.

For the excellent performance of command assignments from 07/06/44 to 05/09/45, as part of the 1st Belorussian Front, the regiment was awarded the Order of Kutuzov, 3rd degree (Decree of the USSR PVS of 06/11/1945).

In total, during the Great Patriotic War, the regiment carried out 8422 sorties, conducted 711 air battles, during which 398 enemy aircraft were shot down and 56 destroyed on the ground. Assault actions destroyed a large number of military equipment and manpower of the enemy.

For steadfastness and courage shown in the Great Patriotic War, 470 people were awarded orders and medals of the Soviet Union.

Over the years, 29 Heroes of the Soviet Union served in the regiment, including three times Hero of the Soviet Union, former deputy commander of the regiment, Kozhedub Ivan Nikitich, twice Hero of the Soviet Union, cosmonaut Pavel Romanovich Popovich and Hero of Russia, cosmonaut Colonel Korzun Valery Grigoryevich. Forever enlisted in the lists of the Hero of the Soviet Union, art. Lieutenant Obraztsov Boris Alexandrovich.

Sources of information:

2. Troops air defense countries. - M.: Military publishing house, 1968.

3. Prussakov G.K. etc. Military-historical essay on combat way 16th Air Army (1942-1945). - M.: Military Publishing House, 1973.

5. Polak T., Shourz K. Stalin's Asses: Encyclopedia / Per. from English. A.K. Efremova. - M.: Eksmo Publishing House, 2003. - 656 p.

6. Data by Mikhail Bykov.

7. Rychilo B., Morozov M. Guards Aviation Regiments 1941-45. - Aviation World, 2003, no. 2.

8. Medved A.N., Khazanov D.B., Maslov M.A. Fighter MiG-3. - M.: "Russian Aviation Society" (RUSAVIA), 2003.

9. Khazanov D.B. 1941. Battle for the sky. From the Dnieper to the Gulf of Finland. - M.: Yauza, Eksmo, 2007.

10. List No.12 of the aviation regiments of the Red Army Air Force, which were part of the Army in the field during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

The tail section of the La-7R fuselage with nozzle equipment for the RD-1 rocket engine.

The last experimental La-7 was an aircraft on which a wing with a laminar profile was installed. The machine received the designation La-7L, it was built in 1944. This aircraft was not destined to take to the air, but it was purged in the T-101 wind tunnel. Flight tests were not carried out, since on February 2 the La-130 aircraft (La-9 prototype), which had a wing with a similar profile, made its first flight.

Liquid-propellant engine RD-1. The LRE was extremely complex and dangerous to maintain.

With the adoption of a new type of aircraft, the question of retraining the flight crew inevitably arises. In the USSR, this problem was traditionally solved by creating a two-seat version of the combat vehicle, La-7 was no exception. The development of the La-7UTI training fighter began in the fall of 1944. The two-seat machine had a design similar to that of a single-seat fighter. The La-7UTI prototype was converted from a serial fighter with serial number 0305.

The main changes affected the space of the fuselage behind the pilot's seat, from where the technical equipment was removed and the pilot-instructor's seat with duplicated controls was arranged. To compensate for the additional mass of the second pilot, second seat and duplicated controls, the right cannon, armored back, rear bulletproof glass and the tail wheel cleaning mechanism had to be removed. The flight instructor's cockpit protruded beyond the original fuselage contours, so the fuselage had to be expanded at this point. The radio antenna mast was installed on the right side of the fuselage below the cockpit.

Flight tests of La-7UTI began in August 1945, during the tests a number of defects were revealed. So, due to the shift in the center of gravity, the controllability of the aircraft deteriorated. Finalization of the prototype continued until October.

While work was underway on a training modification, at the end of 1945, the production of La-7 combat fighters was discontinued. For the training of pilots, the tested La-5UTI aircraft were used all this time, it was on these machines that pilots who had previously flown Yaks and Air Cobras were retrained on La-7.

Meanwhile, the designers managed to achieve acceptable controllability of the La-7UTI, due to the displacement of the oil cooler forward in April 1946 (similar to the La-5). This event led to some decrease in flight speed. After eliminating some other defects identified during the tests, La-7UTI was recommended for mass production. Since the production of La-7 has already ended, the two-seat version was built in a limited series. Most La-7UTI entered service with training aviation regiments and reserve aviation brigades.

The first prototype of La-7UTI, the picture was taken at the factory airfield in March 1946.

Combat service of the La-7 fighter in the Red Army Air Force

When arming with La-7 fighters, preference was given to regiments operating as part of the 3rd Belorussian and 2nd Baltic fronts. These fronts met with stubborn resistance German troops in East Prussia, Lithuania and Northern Poland. It seems logical that the best planes received the best air regiments involved in the sector of the Soviet-German front, where enemy resistance was the most stubborn. In the air, Soviet pilots were opposed by one of the best fighter units of the Luftwaffe - JG-54 Grün Herz.

176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment

The first La-7 fighters were re-equipped with the 19th Fighter Aviation Regiment, renamed the 176th Guards IAP. This regiment was also known as the "Marshal". The unit was formed on the personal instructions of Chief Air Marshal Novikov, the most experienced fighter pilots, aces, were selected for the regiment. The regiment was intended to reinforce fighter aircraft on the most dangerous sectors of the Eastern Front. Colonel P.S. was appointed commander of the regiment. Chupikov, he received the first La-7 in Moscow on June 16, 1944.

La-7UTI with serial number 46210117 during flight tests, October 1945. The tail wheel on the La-7UTI was not removed.

Prototype La-7UTI

Serial La-7UTI

The pilots of the regiment fought their first battle on the new technology on June 24, 1944. In the battle over Baranovichi with ten Fw-190s, the guardsmen shot down two enemy aircraft without loss on their part. The victory was won by Andrey Yakovlevich Baklan and Vladimir Petrov. It is possible that these were generally the first victories won on the La-7. Another air battle took place on July 7, 1944, also in the Baranovichi region. Two pairs of La-7s intercepted two Bf 109s during the “free hunting” flight; in the ensuing fight, pilot Viktor Ilyich Aleksandryuk shot down one Messerschmitt. September 22 I.N. Kozhedub, paired with Sharapov, flew to cover the river crossing between the settlements of Rameyki and Daksti. At a distance of 10-15 km from the crossing, Soviet pilots found two groups, four and eight, Fw-190, walking at an altitude of 3000 m. Kozhedub quickly attacked the leftmost pair of Focke-Wulfs and opened fire from a distance of 150 m. The German plane managed to drop bombs, after which it went into a chaotic fall and collided with the ground 15 kilometers from the village of Streltsy. The rest of the Focke-Wulfs immediately freed themselves from the bomb load and turned back. In one of the subsequent sorties to cover the crossing, Kozhedub discovered six Fw-190s at an altitude of 1500 m. This time, the leader of the group of German fighter-bombers was attacked. A short burst from a distance of 150 m, fired from Lavochkin guns, put an end to the combat career of a Luftwaffe pilot. Focke-wulf fell 8 km from the crossing. On the way back, the planes of Kozhedub and his wingman came under fire from anti-aircraft guns, the La-7 of the wingman was damaged. The next day, September 23, the La-7 four under the command of A. Baklan conducted an air battle in the Valmiera area; Savin, Aleksandryuk and Vasko shot down one Focke-Wulf each, Baklan damaged one German aircraft, which, dragging a plume of smoke, disappeared in the direction of Riga. In October, all fighters of the 176th regiment were equipped with photo-film machine guns.

The transfer of an oil cooler under the hood of the La-7UTI engine made it possible to normalize controllability, but at the same time somewhat worsened aerodynamics.

A propagandist from the headquarters of the regiment, Lieutenant M. Kushnarev, is talking with the technicians of the La-7 aircraft. In the background is a La-7 fighter from the 523rd PAP commander of the 303rd Fighter Aviation Division, Major General Zakharov. Note the white vertical identification stripe on the rudder.

Navigator of the regiment A.S. Kumanichkin on February 9, 1945, paired with his wingman S.M. Kramarenko flew out on a free hunt. In the Sukachev area, the pilots spotted a congestion of vehicles, and there was no anti-aircraft cover. A couple of Lavochkin stormed ground equipment with impunity twice. The pilots were carried away by the attacks of the ground troops and did not notice a pair of Fw-190s that went into a frontal attack. The projectile fired by the Focke-Wulf pierced the wing of the La-7 navigator, the fighter began to react poorly to handle deviations. At this time, the voice of the follower was heard in Kumanichkin's headset: "Commander, a couple of fokkers from behind." The situation has become much more complicated. Kumanichkin gave the command: "Let's go to the clouds." The fuel was running out, and another 100 km remained to fly to their airfield. Kumanichkin barely controlled the damaged fighter, maintaining a speed of about 300 km / h, Kramarenko covered the commander from possible enemy attacks. Both planes made it safely to base. After landing, the pilots were amazed to see that about a third of one of the propeller blades had been shot off, and there was a hole in the other blade with a diameter of 6 cm. Mechanics managed to replace the propeller and motor on the damaged aircraft in just one night. In the morning, the regiment's navigator's La-7 was ready to fly.