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Chernobyl. Memories pilot (4 photos)
Liquidators of the accident at the nuclear power plant "Fukushima-1" refers to suicide. Helicopter pilots of Japan Self-Defense Forces to prevent melting of the fuel cell and the radiation fire last week dropped to the damaged reactor giant basket of water. Pilots who have committed to ten flights per day, considered a national hero.
25 years ago the Soviet pilots to close the air emergency reactor of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, held on 20-30 times a day after thousands of X-rays. Lay on the course threes, acted almost in combat nuclear war.
What was worth it "bombing", told "MK" former Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Kiev Military District Air Force Major General Nikolai Antoshkin, who directed the actions of the consolidated group of aviation and personally several times a day rose into the air above the reactor. For courage and selfless work he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
"Killed an entire shift, we are all poisoned"
Callsign "Cup", radiation laryngitis, delayed death. For general Antoshkina these words as alarm.
He recalls how in the evening on April 26 stood on the roof of the 10-storey hotel "Pripyat". Over the general's uniform he was wearing a light summer suit, his face - petal respirator. That's all the protection from radiation. Prior to the ruined reactor explosion emitting invisible death was some half kilometer.
Outside the window, the nuclear horn - a red-hot to bright yellow reactor. General Antoshkin several times a day personally flown over the reactor.
Against a red glow in the sky leaving a huge cone of black smoke. For many years in the memory stuck phrase thrown by one of the employees of the station: "Killed entire shift, we poisoned".
Firefighters extinguished the fire around the reactor, and inside his burned even 2, 5 thousand. Tons of graphite.
- Ordinance of the head of the government commission Scherbyna was short: "Your helicopters we need here right now," - says Nikolai T.. - There was a proposal to bring a water hose from Pripyat, hang on a helicopter and pumped into the steaming water reactor. But I urged: "It is almost two kilometers, imagine what weight, plus windage, rocking the helicopter, it falls, will be a second explosion, from us to you will only couples".
Scientists have proposed a tightly closed reactor from the top protective layer of sand. Approach the emergency unit except with the air was nowhere. Required as soon as possible to begin to drop from helicopters into the burning crater sandbags.
The closest airfield to airfield Chernigov Chernobyl was a flight school. There urgently and it was decided to transfer the helicopter regiment from Alexandria. At night, in a storm, and low clouds, flew all the equipment - and "MI-6" and "Mi-8". The pilots were experienced, almost all have just returned from Afghanistan.
The first two "Mi-8", led by Colonel Boris Nesterov and Alexander Serebryakov, lifted into the air members of the government commission.
Measured the activity of the reactor at different heights. Figured that relief sand will need to hang above the reactor for three to four minutes. Dose to "grab" the pilots will be from 20 to 80 X-ray. In one go! And they need to do a lot.
- Approaches to the reactor from the air were dangerous, pipe prevented the fourth block, whose height is 150 meters. To determine the scheme call to reset the sand, once again raised the car into the air. During takeoff and landing operating screws from the surface of highly radioactive dust blown away with fission fragments. Pilots suffocated. And to the stadium, which landed helicopters began to drive up mothers with strollers. Residents of the city have shown children of a miracle - rotorcraft.
In Pripyat, few people realize that the total release of radioactive substances was 500 times more than in Hiroshima. In the gardens, sprinkled with radioactive ash continued singing nightingales.
At 8 am in nuclear scientists were open all drinking establishments. All those wishing to let go free wine, vodka, beer and snacks. Physicians were aware that alcohol use at the human body is dehydrated, the probability of injury is reduced.
In the 14 hours to homes drove buses. Residents of Pripyat announced that they are leaving the city for 5-6 days. It is necessary to take only the money, documents and a minimum of personal belongings.
- As long as the evacuation, aviation work banned. They were afraid that if we start throwing sand, go new releases and all this "stuff" will fall on people.
Sand found five hundred meters from the city committee, at the river station. The first three bags packed: Antoshkin General and two Deputy Minister of Medium Machine Building. - One in front general's uniform, the other two - in Moscow suits and top-boots.
By endless procession marched on and on buses. Residents of Pripyat still did not know that leaving the city forever. 44,600 people were evacuated for 2, 5:00.
Allowed to bring banned. For a long time buses were running left masters Shepherd, Bulldogs, lapdogs ...
"33 flights a day at a rate of 15"
Once the city was deserted, the first "Mi-8" with six bags of sand went on target. At the helm - a first-class military pilot Colonel Boris Nesterov. By the fourth block of the car went straight. Speed - 140 miles per hour. The helicopter hovered over the crater of a nuclear reactor. Height - 150, then decreased to 110 meters. Radiation such that the needle DP-5, which could measure the levels of up to 500 X-rays, off scale.
At the helm - a first-class military pilot Colonel Boris Nesterov.
Over the epicenter in level flight vehicle "failed" down to 20-30 m. Because of the high temperatures in this place fell sharply thrust of the rotor.
Borttehnik strapped in the cargo rope, stuck his head through the open door and, looking into the muzzle of nuclear, began to drop cargo. Flying from a height of sandbags increased emissions of radioactive fission fragments and ashes from the burned graphite. All of these had to breathe. And after the target was a different crew ... worked alternately 27 machines. Flew threes. On the combat course came one after the other, a string, like bees in a hive.
- Scientific Legasov I then asked: "You say how many pilots roentgen per hour at a height of?" - "1000 - 1500 X-rays." And he said: "No, you are being deceived. There are 3000 - 3500 ".
On the first day dropped 56 tons. From the unbearable heat and physical stress in pilots and flight engineer began vomiting.
- Two or three flights - and the bushes, tears of man. From the release of large amounts of radioactive iodine-135 respirators were all red. We felt the metallic taste on the lips, we numb languages, all sipeli. Every day I was handing out fliers and flight engineer iodine tablets. Crews made 33 flights a day at a rate of 15-20. In this case, said: "Yes, in Afghanistan fired. But you dodged left, completed the task - and forgotten. And here, in Chernobyl, do not feel anything, and you struck an invisible enemy. This is worse than war ".
Few people know about then conducted the experiment. Crater decided to throw an aqueous liquid composition of the special, which was to become a film and significantly reduce the transfer of radioactive dust. They said that the cost of this liquid was truly golden. Her weight was equal to the weight of gold spent on its production. Entrusted this task to the crew of the helicopter "Mi-26", which spray it on the object. However, the expected effect failed. The idea, in practice, has not justified itself.
"10 thousand parachutes we dropped into the reactor"
To quickly build up a protective layer Sherbina trying to get to fly at night. But General Antoshkin said: "In the dark helicopter aviation on the object will not work. Sights not, in the dark is not clear where to throw bags ".
The decision came suddenly. Nicholas T. recalled how in the port of Odessa boom crane lowered into the holds enormous grid loaded with sacks. General immediately sent a request to Kiev: "Networks are?" Networks was not there. Antoshkin realized that they can be replaced braking parachutes. Immediately delivered 180 pieces. But the dome of the drogue parachute was cruciform shape, technicians had to manually sew the edges of these frogs.
- In the beginning was the grouping of almost 80 cars. Every morning, the helicopters flew from operational airfields on three sites located near nuclear power plants. On each of them had a flight director and foreman with the radio station, managed by a group of men - reserve soldiers called up fees from various military districts. Mobilized civil called "partisans".
One day I was told on the radio that they rebelled. Come before me standing bearded civilians from the abdomen. They say in unison: "Here high levels of radiation, we have no protective equipment, shipping bags will not." I say, "Who is in front of you? General. And it is in the first zone of the day. And also shipped bags. Pilots are worth waiting for loading. You do not pass over the reactor, where thousands of X-rays, and they pass. First helipads have been 500-800 meters away from the reactor. Once on the ground increased background radiation, we changed the site back down further and further. How to see the general running, run, too. And while he does not run, you have to work here. " And men began to load the bags in parachutes.
Chernobyl. April 1986
But suddenly it turned out that the active layer of sand build-up caused an unexpected increase in temperature on the damaged reactor. Scientists are worried, decided to throw only lead. Lead come from all over the Union: as ingots, bars, bags of lead shot. Thin plate pilots began underlay under the seat and carpet flooring in their helicopters. Prior to this protection have guessed, when hundreds of tons of cargo have already been reset to the reactor.
At the end of the day went to the decontamination equipment, crews - in the bath. Everyone who has visited the area in and changed shape, and boots.
- When the external dose was greater than 37 X-ray, I brushed aside pilots from flying and appointed them to lead the Mission at the site "Cup-1." So it was with Colonel Boris Nesterov, who from day one has been at the forefront. I forbade him to appear above the reactor. But after a short time again heard his voice on the air. I never raised his voice to his subordinates, and then I burst. Nesterov received in full.
"Minus 11 pounds, plus 608 roentgen"
Nap at 4:00 Antoshkina happened only four days when the work has already been established. Crews went to the goal continuous flow. Helicopters took off and landed every 30 seconds. Excess amount of aircraft removed from the general group. Instead of 80 cars remained at about 30.
By order Antoshkina first 27 crews were sent to Kiev and Moscow for examination and treatment.
In hospital pilots were hoarse, with a characteristic radiation tan on their faces. Doctors discovered them severe infestation radionuclide thyroid, lymph nodes and liver. Within a month, the heroes were washed out of the blood salts of uranium and plutonium, repeatedly replacing the blood.
To stay in the air, they pulled out of his medical books page were written the true dose of radiation received - 100 X-ray, and have entered only 31. Many do not know that death is simply delayed.
- For 10 days in the area, I also picked up considerably radiation, - says Nikolai T.. - In my pocket I had all the time dosimeter. I got a dose of about 605-608 X-ray, has lost 11 pounds. When I came home, slept for half of the day, my wife just pushed, tea poured into his mouth, and again I instantly fell into a dream.
In Kiev hospital physicians shied away from the general. SHR (human radiation counter) at his approach began to hum. Antoshkina gave Aerovit and pilots these vitamins and so on the table constantly stand, and even sleeping pills. Nothing more. Nicholas T. withdrew pajamas, put on a general's uniform with stripes and climbed over the fence. Escaped, more in the hospital did not appear.
"The death of the crew scramble"
While Antoshkin directed the actions of the consolidated group of aviation in Chernobyl, nor in earth, neither in the air it has not lost a single man.
The tragedy happened in the autumn of '86. It was the rally. To summarize: has built one of the walls of the sarcophagus. Helicopters flew to the object and watered it decontamination solution. The crew of the helicopter "Mi-8" flying under the boom 160-meter German crane, caught the tail of the rope and fell to the ground.
No reports of the death of a helicopter in the Soviet press did not appear. Only recently become familiar with the names of pilots.
The commander of the crew - pilot 1st class, 30-year-old captain Vladimir Vorobiev twice narrowly escapes death. In the accident his motorcycle collided with a truck. Motorcycle - boiled, Vladimir - only bruises and scratches. Then he was the only survivor in Afghanistan padded helicopter. "Flit" from 70 meters and survived. And died at Chernobyl. The day before the accident Vladimir sent in native Yaroslavl all their belongings. Put in the parcel as a gift and bought his wife a gold ring.
In mechanic Leonid Hristich was behind 365 Afghan combat missions. His fate is also treasured. Once in their helicopter struck the fuel tank, and until landing Senior Lieutenant Hristich closed holes hands. All soaked with fuel, it was enough to spark - and he would have turned into a burning torch. But had passed, landed safely.
Navigator, Senior Lieutenant Alexander Yungkind not hit the Afghan state of health. Chernobyl proved unfit.
Fourth aboard crashed "Mi-8" happened to be 26-year-old aircraft mechanic Nikolai Ganzhuk. Loved the sky, a childhood dream to fly entering the aviation school, but has not passed a medical examination. When engineers, nuclear scientists were asked to measure up his crew to the reactor, gladly climbed into the hatch.
When you open a memorial to the victims of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, at a rally remembered the fallen firefighters and operators. The fact that there have combined heads helicopter, which eliminated the effects of the disaster, said not a word.
On the airfield in Maleyka, where the aircraft equipment decontamination, left the cemetery helicopters and engines. Just buried in the radioactive waste and the memory of the deceased, "Mi-8".
25 years ago the Soviet pilots to close the air emergency reactor of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, held on 20-30 times a day after thousands of X-rays. Lay on the course threes, acted almost in combat nuclear war.
What was worth it "bombing", told "MK" former Chief of Staff of the Air Force of the Kiev Military District Air Force Major General Nikolai Antoshkin, who directed the actions of the consolidated group of aviation and personally several times a day rose into the air above the reactor. For courage and selfless work he was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union.
"Killed an entire shift, we are all poisoned"
Callsign "Cup", radiation laryngitis, delayed death. For general Antoshkina these words as alarm.
He recalls how in the evening on April 26 stood on the roof of the 10-storey hotel "Pripyat". Over the general's uniform he was wearing a light summer suit, his face - petal respirator. That's all the protection from radiation. Prior to the ruined reactor explosion emitting invisible death was some half kilometer.
Outside the window, the nuclear horn - a red-hot to bright yellow reactor. General Antoshkin several times a day personally flown over the reactor.
Against a red glow in the sky leaving a huge cone of black smoke. For many years in the memory stuck phrase thrown by one of the employees of the station: "Killed entire shift, we poisoned".
Firefighters extinguished the fire around the reactor, and inside his burned even 2, 5 thousand. Tons of graphite.
- Ordinance of the head of the government commission Scherbyna was short: "Your helicopters we need here right now," - says Nikolai T.. - There was a proposal to bring a water hose from Pripyat, hang on a helicopter and pumped into the steaming water reactor. But I urged: "It is almost two kilometers, imagine what weight, plus windage, rocking the helicopter, it falls, will be a second explosion, from us to you will only couples".
Scientists have proposed a tightly closed reactor from the top protective layer of sand. Approach the emergency unit except with the air was nowhere. Required as soon as possible to begin to drop from helicopters into the burning crater sandbags.
The closest airfield to airfield Chernigov Chernobyl was a flight school. There urgently and it was decided to transfer the helicopter regiment from Alexandria. At night, in a storm, and low clouds, flew all the equipment - and "MI-6" and "Mi-8". The pilots were experienced, almost all have just returned from Afghanistan.
The first two "Mi-8", led by Colonel Boris Nesterov and Alexander Serebryakov, lifted into the air members of the government commission.
Measured the activity of the reactor at different heights. Figured that relief sand will need to hang above the reactor for three to four minutes. Dose to "grab" the pilots will be from 20 to 80 X-ray. In one go! And they need to do a lot.
- Approaches to the reactor from the air were dangerous, pipe prevented the fourth block, whose height is 150 meters. To determine the scheme call to reset the sand, once again raised the car into the air. During takeoff and landing operating screws from the surface of highly radioactive dust blown away with fission fragments. Pilots suffocated. And to the stadium, which landed helicopters began to drive up mothers with strollers. Residents of the city have shown children of a miracle - rotorcraft.
In Pripyat, few people realize that the total release of radioactive substances was 500 times more than in Hiroshima. In the gardens, sprinkled with radioactive ash continued singing nightingales.
At 8 am in nuclear scientists were open all drinking establishments. All those wishing to let go free wine, vodka, beer and snacks. Physicians were aware that alcohol use at the human body is dehydrated, the probability of injury is reduced.
In the 14 hours to homes drove buses. Residents of Pripyat announced that they are leaving the city for 5-6 days. It is necessary to take only the money, documents and a minimum of personal belongings.
- As long as the evacuation, aviation work banned. They were afraid that if we start throwing sand, go new releases and all this "stuff" will fall on people.
Sand found five hundred meters from the city committee, at the river station. The first three bags packed: Antoshkin General and two Deputy Minister of Medium Machine Building. - One in front general's uniform, the other two - in Moscow suits and top-boots.
By endless procession marched on and on buses. Residents of Pripyat still did not know that leaving the city forever. 44,600 people were evacuated for 2, 5:00.
Allowed to bring banned. For a long time buses were running left masters Shepherd, Bulldogs, lapdogs ...
"33 flights a day at a rate of 15"
Once the city was deserted, the first "Mi-8" with six bags of sand went on target. At the helm - a first-class military pilot Colonel Boris Nesterov. By the fourth block of the car went straight. Speed - 140 miles per hour. The helicopter hovered over the crater of a nuclear reactor. Height - 150, then decreased to 110 meters. Radiation such that the needle DP-5, which could measure the levels of up to 500 X-rays, off scale.
At the helm - a first-class military pilot Colonel Boris Nesterov.
Over the epicenter in level flight vehicle "failed" down to 20-30 m. Because of the high temperatures in this place fell sharply thrust of the rotor.
Borttehnik strapped in the cargo rope, stuck his head through the open door and, looking into the muzzle of nuclear, began to drop cargo. Flying from a height of sandbags increased emissions of radioactive fission fragments and ashes from the burned graphite. All of these had to breathe. And after the target was a different crew ... worked alternately 27 machines. Flew threes. On the combat course came one after the other, a string, like bees in a hive.
- Scientific Legasov I then asked: "You say how many pilots roentgen per hour at a height of?" - "1000 - 1500 X-rays." And he said: "No, you are being deceived. There are 3000 - 3500 ".
On the first day dropped 56 tons. From the unbearable heat and physical stress in pilots and flight engineer began vomiting.
- Two or three flights - and the bushes, tears of man. From the release of large amounts of radioactive iodine-135 respirators were all red. We felt the metallic taste on the lips, we numb languages, all sipeli. Every day I was handing out fliers and flight engineer iodine tablets. Crews made 33 flights a day at a rate of 15-20. In this case, said: "Yes, in Afghanistan fired. But you dodged left, completed the task - and forgotten. And here, in Chernobyl, do not feel anything, and you struck an invisible enemy. This is worse than war ".
Few people know about then conducted the experiment. Crater decided to throw an aqueous liquid composition of the special, which was to become a film and significantly reduce the transfer of radioactive dust. They said that the cost of this liquid was truly golden. Her weight was equal to the weight of gold spent on its production. Entrusted this task to the crew of the helicopter "Mi-26", which spray it on the object. However, the expected effect failed. The idea, in practice, has not justified itself.
"10 thousand parachutes we dropped into the reactor"
To quickly build up a protective layer Sherbina trying to get to fly at night. But General Antoshkin said: "In the dark helicopter aviation on the object will not work. Sights not, in the dark is not clear where to throw bags ".
The decision came suddenly. Nicholas T. recalled how in the port of Odessa boom crane lowered into the holds enormous grid loaded with sacks. General immediately sent a request to Kiev: "Networks are?" Networks was not there. Antoshkin realized that they can be replaced braking parachutes. Immediately delivered 180 pieces. But the dome of the drogue parachute was cruciform shape, technicians had to manually sew the edges of these frogs.
- In the beginning was the grouping of almost 80 cars. Every morning, the helicopters flew from operational airfields on three sites located near nuclear power plants. On each of them had a flight director and foreman with the radio station, managed by a group of men - reserve soldiers called up fees from various military districts. Mobilized civil called "partisans".
One day I was told on the radio that they rebelled. Come before me standing bearded civilians from the abdomen. They say in unison: "Here high levels of radiation, we have no protective equipment, shipping bags will not." I say, "Who is in front of you? General. And it is in the first zone of the day. And also shipped bags. Pilots are worth waiting for loading. You do not pass over the reactor, where thousands of X-rays, and they pass. First helipads have been 500-800 meters away from the reactor. Once on the ground increased background radiation, we changed the site back down further and further. How to see the general running, run, too. And while he does not run, you have to work here. " And men began to load the bags in parachutes.
Chernobyl. April 1986
But suddenly it turned out that the active layer of sand build-up caused an unexpected increase in temperature on the damaged reactor. Scientists are worried, decided to throw only lead. Lead come from all over the Union: as ingots, bars, bags of lead shot. Thin plate pilots began underlay under the seat and carpet flooring in their helicopters. Prior to this protection have guessed, when hundreds of tons of cargo have already been reset to the reactor.
At the end of the day went to the decontamination equipment, crews - in the bath. Everyone who has visited the area in and changed shape, and boots.
- When the external dose was greater than 37 X-ray, I brushed aside pilots from flying and appointed them to lead the Mission at the site "Cup-1." So it was with Colonel Boris Nesterov, who from day one has been at the forefront. I forbade him to appear above the reactor. But after a short time again heard his voice on the air. I never raised his voice to his subordinates, and then I burst. Nesterov received in full.
"Minus 11 pounds, plus 608 roentgen"
Nap at 4:00 Antoshkina happened only four days when the work has already been established. Crews went to the goal continuous flow. Helicopters took off and landed every 30 seconds. Excess amount of aircraft removed from the general group. Instead of 80 cars remained at about 30.
By order Antoshkina first 27 crews were sent to Kiev and Moscow for examination and treatment.
In hospital pilots were hoarse, with a characteristic radiation tan on their faces. Doctors discovered them severe infestation radionuclide thyroid, lymph nodes and liver. Within a month, the heroes were washed out of the blood salts of uranium and plutonium, repeatedly replacing the blood.
To stay in the air, they pulled out of his medical books page were written the true dose of radiation received - 100 X-ray, and have entered only 31. Many do not know that death is simply delayed.
- For 10 days in the area, I also picked up considerably radiation, - says Nikolai T.. - In my pocket I had all the time dosimeter. I got a dose of about 605-608 X-ray, has lost 11 pounds. When I came home, slept for half of the day, my wife just pushed, tea poured into his mouth, and again I instantly fell into a dream.
In Kiev hospital physicians shied away from the general. SHR (human radiation counter) at his approach began to hum. Antoshkina gave Aerovit and pilots these vitamins and so on the table constantly stand, and even sleeping pills. Nothing more. Nicholas T. withdrew pajamas, put on a general's uniform with stripes and climbed over the fence. Escaped, more in the hospital did not appear.
"The death of the crew scramble"
While Antoshkin directed the actions of the consolidated group of aviation in Chernobyl, nor in earth, neither in the air it has not lost a single man.
The tragedy happened in the autumn of '86. It was the rally. To summarize: has built one of the walls of the sarcophagus. Helicopters flew to the object and watered it decontamination solution. The crew of the helicopter "Mi-8" flying under the boom 160-meter German crane, caught the tail of the rope and fell to the ground.
No reports of the death of a helicopter in the Soviet press did not appear. Only recently become familiar with the names of pilots.
The commander of the crew - pilot 1st class, 30-year-old captain Vladimir Vorobiev twice narrowly escapes death. In the accident his motorcycle collided with a truck. Motorcycle - boiled, Vladimir - only bruises and scratches. Then he was the only survivor in Afghanistan padded helicopter. "Flit" from 70 meters and survived. And died at Chernobyl. The day before the accident Vladimir sent in native Yaroslavl all their belongings. Put in the parcel as a gift and bought his wife a gold ring.
In mechanic Leonid Hristich was behind 365 Afghan combat missions. His fate is also treasured. Once in their helicopter struck the fuel tank, and until landing Senior Lieutenant Hristich closed holes hands. All soaked with fuel, it was enough to spark - and he would have turned into a burning torch. But had passed, landed safely.
Navigator, Senior Lieutenant Alexander Yungkind not hit the Afghan state of health. Chernobyl proved unfit.
Fourth aboard crashed "Mi-8" happened to be 26-year-old aircraft mechanic Nikolai Ganzhuk. Loved the sky, a childhood dream to fly entering the aviation school, but has not passed a medical examination. When engineers, nuclear scientists were asked to measure up his crew to the reactor, gladly climbed into the hatch.
When you open a memorial to the victims of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, at a rally remembered the fallen firefighters and operators. The fact that there have combined heads helicopter, which eliminated the effects of the disaster, said not a word.
On the airfield in Maleyka, where the aircraft equipment decontamination, left the cemetery helicopters and engines. Just buried in the radioactive waste and the memory of the deceased, "Mi-8".
