Airfare Petersburg - Moscow (13 photos)

Airfare Petersburg - Moscow, organized by the Imperial Russian Aeroclub in July 1911 was at that time "huge step forward in our young aviation." The initiator of the flight was a famous aeronaut Colonel S.I.Odintsov. In February 1911 formed the organizing committee flight, the honorary presidency which took over V.kn. Alexander, Chairman of the Committee and was elected to the then chairman of the State Duma A.I.Guchkov.
From the treasury was allocated 100,000 rubles.





Apparatus Kostin after launching in Valdai

"Fly from St. Petersburg to Moscow! From these words emanate a fantastic tale. Arrive at their will and pleasure, not a toy wind, but the present free bird - this bold and whimsical fantasy has come true. Despite the enormous burdens of this flight, despite the lack of a good alarm, wildness and lack of culture areas, through which our heroes had to fly the air, and where it was almost impossible to find a comfortable descent, one of them went through all the designated space and first joined us and Petersburg Moscow by air. This single - A.A.Vasilev ».



Aviatory Kostin and Agafonov with its occupants unto Valdai.

In flight recorded 12 pilots, but attended only 9.
The way from St. Petersburg to Moscow was divided into 10 sections, and monitoring stations have been assigned Tosno, Chudovo, Novgorod, sacrum, Valdai, Vishny Volochyok, Torzhok, Tver and Klin. The greatest extent of each individual flight equal to 87 versts (Valdai Vishny Volochyok), the smallest - 50 versts (St.-Tosno).
Place to start was the airfield T-wa "Wings" at the Commandant field. The start was scheduled for July 10. At 3 o'clock in the morning came the signal gun and started flying.
First started S.I.Utochkin. In flight went five monoplanes and biplanes four. Three biplane with passengers.
The first setback M.F.Kampo-Scipio. First he lost his way, then he burst tank with gasoline and he sank 15 miles from Petersburg. He returned to St. Petersburg to the next day to start again with latecomers Slyusarenko.
Flights Petersburg-Tosno fell B.S.Maslennikov. The device is broken, but he was not injured.
In the Miracle failed M.G.fon-Lerche, getting hit in the head during the descent.



Aviator fon-Lerche on "Etrik" nad vzmorem 10 iyulya 1911

In Novgorod refused motor at "Bleriot" Utochkina. He fell into a ditch, but was unharmed. Correcting the damage he went to further flight. But before reaching the sacrum down again. This time from a height of 500 meters on the bank of the river Ch'ing, was hit by a monoplane and had them thrown into the river. With fractures of both legs and a broken collarbone he was fished out of the river by local peasants and transported to a local hospital. Apparatus his shattered.



Frustrated apparat S.Utochkina unto 20 miles. ot the sacrum (Novgor. g).



S.I.Utochkin poslѣ avarii.

Setback and also N.D.Kostina G.V.Yankovskogo. First with his passengers fell into the Valdai (fortunately for himself and for the passenger safely). The second fell into the swamp near the Highest Volochek. Both the flight continued, but soon again crashed and abandoned from further travel.



Fixing the machine Kostin Valdai.



Yankovskiy proletaet nad sacrum.



Bb village beneath Valdaem. Moment poyavleniya airplane.

All appeared happy A.A.Vasilev.



Vasilev proletaet nad vzmorem.

But happened to him an unfortunate misunderstanding, do not let it become a global victory. He got lost on the way! Torzhok after he strayed off course and instead flew to Tver Rzhev. Only when he realized his mistake and again flew in Torzhok, losing on extra flights (about 200 versts) a few precious hours. After which he was forced to dip into Polsolnechnoy (56 miles from Moscow) due to the lack of gasoline and spend the night there. That less victory remained with him and 11 July 1911, he landed at the Moscow airport 4 hours 18 minutes in the morning. If not for an unfortunate plutaniya in Rzhev, he flew to Moscow at 5 pm the day before and would beat the world record in speed.
But if we take into account the situation flight, then A.A.Vasilev broke the world record of heroism and selflessness.



Aviator Vasilev to "Blerio" proletaet nad Valdaem.

But with the arrival Vasilyeva in Moscow match did not end because July 12 departure is held from St. Petersburg M.F.Kampo-Scipio and V.V.Slyusarenko. This day is marked by a disaster - even more terrible than that which befell Utochkina.
Slyusarenko with passenger K.N.Shimanskim fell near Petersburg near the village of Moscow Slav.



Aviator Vasilev to "Blerio" proletaet nad Valdaem.

But with the arrival Vasilyeva in Moscow match did not end because July 12 departure is held from St. Petersburg M.F.Kampo-Scipio and V.V.Slyusarenko. This day is marked by a disaster - even more terrible than that which befell Utochkina.
Slyusarenko with passenger K.N.Shimanskim fell near Petersburg near the village of Moscow Slav.



K.N.Shimansky. Two days before the flight, he passed the exam for the title of the pilot. The deceased was the 70th victim of aviation in Europe and the third in Russia.

Campo Scipio again fell short of the Tosno. Flew back and reached July 14 sacrum from further flight refused because of the technical state of his "morality».

As the newspapers of those years: "When one falls, then take off the other - and the victims of a new dawn sunrise shines ...».

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