Soviet Air Force Collection

Soviet Pe-2 bomber and pilot, 1944
Soviet Pe-2 bomber and pilot. The pilot, Grigory Pasynkov, held the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Photographed in December 1944, in the St Petersburg region of Russia

Ilyushin and test pilot Kokkinaki, 1942
Soviet aircraft designer Sergei Ilyushin (centre right) and test pilot Vladimir Kokkinaki (left, in overalls), talking with a group of soldiers in front of an aircraft during World War II

A line up of Soviet Air Force pilots who destroyed 17 enemy planes of the German Luftwaffe in the first three days of the German offensive in the Orel - Kursk region

Tupolev Tu-2, Soviet WW2 bomber
Tupolev Tu-2, Soviet World War II bomber. This bomber was one of the most reliable during World War II. It was built by the aircraft design bureau led by Soviet aviation engineer Andrei Tupolev

Soviet bomber with parasite fighters 1935
Soviet Aviamatka (airborne mothership) with its parasite aircraft in flight. The large aircraft is a Tupolev TB-3 four-engined heavy bomber

Soviet Maxim Gorky ANT-20, 1934
Soviet Maxim Gorky ANT-20, in 1934, acompanied by two smaller biplanes. This 8-engine monoplane, named after the Soviet author Maxim Gorky, was built between 1933 and 1934

A Soviet Yakovlev Yak-11 warbird, Saint Dizier, France

Polikarpov I-15 soviet fighter biplane at Duxford airport, England

A modernized MiG-31BM of the Russian Air Force on display at the Aviation Salon MAKS-2015 airshow in Zhukovsky, Russia

A Russian MiG-21SMT fighter plane
A preserved MiG-21SMT at the former Russian 16th Air Army base, Altenburg Airfield, Germany

A Soviet Air Force Yak-3 replica on the runway in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic

Tupolev R-6, Soviet 1930s bomber. This two-engined medium bomber had its first flight in 1929. It entered service with the Russian Air Force in 1932, but by 1936 was in use only for transport

Ilyushin DB-3, Soviet WW2 bomber
Ilyushin DB-3, Soviet World War II bomber. This long-range bomber was built by the aircraft design bureau led by Soviet aviation engineer Sergei Ilyushin (1894-1977)

Ilyushin Il-4, Soviet WW2 bomber
Ilyushin Il-4, Soviet World War II bomber. This long-range bomber was built by the aircraft design bureau led by Soviet aviation engineer Sergei Ilyushin (1894-1977)

Soviet ANT-6 bomber, 1930
Soviet ANT-6 bomber, on skis, in 1930. This long-range bomber was built by the aircraft design bureau led by Soviet aviation engineer Andrei Tupolev (1888-1972)

Tupolev TB-1P, Soviet seaplane, 1925
Tupolev TB-1P, Soviet seaplane, in 1925. This version of the TB-1 heavy bomber was designed to take off from and land on water

Polikarpov I-15, Soviet fighter, 1935
Polikarpov I-15, Soviet fighter, in flight. This fighter plane was in use from 1934 to 1941. It was built by the aircraft design bureau led by the Soviet aircraft engineer Nikolai Polikarpov

Petlyakov Pe-8, Soviet WW2 bomber
Petlyakov Pe-8, Soviet World War II bomber. This aircraft was built by the aircraft design bureau led by the Soviet aircraft engineer Vladimir Petlyakov (1891-1942)

Soviet N-209 transpolar flight, 1937
Soviet N-209 transpolar flight taking off, on 12th August 1937. Earlier in the year, several successful transpolar flights had been made from the USSR to the USA

Kamovs Ka-8 helicopter, 1946
Kamovs Ka-8 helicopter. This helicopter was designed by the Soviet aviation engineer Nikolai Kamov (1902-1972). Kamov built his first autogyro in 1929, and this led to his later helicopter designs

Soviet ANT-25 transpolar aircraft, 1937
Soviet ANT-25 transpolar aircraft. This is the aircraft in which a Soviet crew carried out the first transpolar flight over the Arctic, from 17-20th June 1937

Soviet transpolar flight crew, USA, 1937
Soviet transpolar flight crew, in Los Angeles, USA, in July 1937. From left to right, the three Soviet pilots are: Andrei Yumashev, Sergei Danilin and Mikhail Gromov

Soviet N-209 transpolar flight crew, 1937
Soviet N-209 transpolar flight crew, before their fatal flight on 12th August 1937. They flew a modified DB-A aircraft (background) from Moscow over the Arctic towards Alaska

Chelyuskin search and rescue, 1934
Chelyuskin search and rescue in 1934. Aeroplane after landing in Provideniya Bay in the far north-east of Russia, to rescue the crew and passengers on the ship Chelyuskin

Soviet Pe-2 bomber and crew, 1942
Soviet Pe-2 bomber and crew. Soviet pilots preparing for a flight in a Pe-2 bomber during World War II. This bomber was built by the design bureau led by Soviet aviation engineer Vladimir Petlyakov

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The Soviet Air Force, a force to be reckoned with, showcased its might through various iconic aircraft and fearless pilots. In 1944, the Soviet Pe-2 bomber soared through the skies, guided by a skilled pilot on a mission that would shape history. Meanwhile, in 1942, Ilyushin and test pilot Kokkinaki pushed boundaries as they embarked on daring flights in their quest for innovation. A remarkable line-up pilots stood tall after destroying an astounding 17 enemy planes of the German forces. Their bravery and precision exemplified the unwavering determination of these aviators who defended their homeland with unparalleled skill. In 1934, the awe-inspiring sight of the Soviet Maxim Gorky ANT-20 filled the air as it gracefully took flight. This colossal aircraft symbolized progress and ambition during those times. Fast forward to more recent years; a Russian MiG-31BM fighter plane underwent modernization to enhance its capabilities for today's challenges. The sleek design exuded power and sophistication as it patrolled the skies under the Russian Air Force banner. Amongst these legendary aircraft was also the Yakovlev Yak-11 warbird from World War II era - an embodiment of resilience and courage displayed by both machine and pilot alike. Let us not forget about historical gems like Polikarpov I-15 - a nimble soviet fighter biplane that dominated aerial battles during its time. Its agility allowed pilots to outmaneuver adversaries with ease while defending their homeland. On another note, we cannot overlook replicas such as the Soviet Air Force Yak-3 replica gracefully gliding down runways today – paying homage to its predecessor's legacy while captivating aviation enthusiasts worldwide. Traveling back in time once again brings us face-to-face with Tupolev R-6 - a formidable bomber from the 1930s that struck fear into enemies' hearts high above the clouds.