Vasily Reshetnikov at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the eve of the Victory Day
© Artyom Geodakyan/TASS
The pilots of Distant aircraft of Russia 23 Dec celebrate their professional holiday. 103 years ago was formed the first squadron of heavy bombers “Ilya Muromets”. It is noteworthy that on this day 98 years ago was born one of the most famous pilots of the country, the participant of the great Patriotic war, the commander of long-range aviation from 1969 to 1980, the Hero of Soviet Union Vasily Reshetnikov. It is named after one of the strategic bombers Tu-160.
On the eve of the “dalnik” and birthday honored military pilot shared with TASS memories about his service and told him what it was like to land with a burning engine, is it possible to have in the Intercontinental flights the fat and draws in the sky with the same force after all these years.
“Fire aviation”
— I did not plan to connect his life with the army, I had other aspirations. Studied in technical school, was shot. But in 1936 we were invited to a medical examination, since it was set in the aircraft. My friends “fell” one after another, and I passed the Commission without a loss: healthy, fit! And then I caught fire the aircraft.