June, 7 is Heavenly Hussars’ birthday
We must remember and shall not forget aerobatic history of our country.
On the 7th of June, 2009 the squadron Heavenly Hussars is 35 years of age, as a successor of old squadrons since 1974.
“… In the late 1960’s the Moscow Military district Air Force command came to realize, that it became more and more difficult for the 234th fighter air regiment to retain its status of the aerobatics one. The sophisticated aircraft made new high demands to the pilots’ training skills, their psychical and physical qualities.
It has been recognized by reasonable to create in the regiment a special squadron to collect in it the most trained pilots for performing aerobatic flights. Such squadron was formed on the 7th of June, 1974 under the USSR Air Force Commander-in-Chief order: in the 234 fighter air regiment structure it became #4.
The pilots of the 4th air squadron flew MiG-21 and MiG-23 fighters. For one and half ten years they have held more than 800 shows. Wave of reorganizations in Armed Forces at the turn of the 80-90-s years resulted in a three-squadron organization of the air regiment. One squadron received reduction and the fourth flight one became the third.
By new staff list the 3 air squadron was entrusted with functions of showing potential of the USSR Air Force front aviation strike fighters of to foreign visitors…”
Heavenly Hussars Su-25 in original coloration:
Pilots of the very flight team Heavenly Hussars, from left to right: O. Dolzhikov, A.Gornov, Tahir Hasanov, A. Smirnov, Valery Kravtsov, Gennady Avramenko, Yury Zavolokin.
