Georgiy Baidukov

Georgy Filippovich Baidukov ( _ru. Гео́ргий Фили́ппович Байдуко́в; OldStyleDateDY|May 13|1904| May 26|1904 — December 28, 1994) was a Soviet aircraft test pilot and a Hero of the Soviet Union (1938).

Early years

Georgy Baidukov had been born in Taryshta railway station (Novosibirsk Oblast, Russia) to a railway worker. He became an orphan in the age of 9 and had been homeless for some time. Baidukov had been taken to orphanage and worked at railway construction for some time.

Georgy Baidukov enlisted into the Red Army in 1926. He graduated Air Force Technical School and Kacha school for the military pilots in 1928 and served as a fighter pilot in 1928-1931.

Test pilot

Georgy Baidukov had been transferred to an Air Force's Testing institute and became an aircraft test pilot in 1931. He tested number of fighter planes in 1931-1934 and had been instrumental in developing instrument flight rules for the USSR's Air Force.

Ultralong Flights

Georgiy Baidukov became a student of Air Force Academy in 1934. During that time he became involved with number of ultralong flights conducted by the Soviet Union. He tried to reach North America flying from Russia through the North Pole in August 1935 as a member of Levanevsky's crew, flying the ANT-25. The flight had been terminated because of technical problems. Baidukov continued to participate in ANT-25's testing in 1935-1936.

Valery Chkalov, Georgiy Baidukov and A.V.Belyakov flew an improved ANT-25 through the North Pole to Udd Island, in the Sea of Okhotsk (distance 9,374 km, flight time 56 h 20 min) from July 20, 1936 to July 22, 1936. Georgiy Baidukov had been awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union for this deed July 24, 1936.

The same crew piloted an ANT-25 from Moscow to Vancouver, Washington through the North Pole from June 18, 1937 to June 20, 1937 (distance 8,504 km).

Georgiy Baidukov resumed his work as a test pilot in 1937. He tested PE-2 and SB bombers, as well as participated in tests of a DB-A bomber.

During the Second World War

Georgiy Baidukov participated in the Soviet-Finnish War in 1939-1940. He served in 85th Bomber Regiment.

Baidukov had been sent to the USA to discuss a purchase of American warplanes in 1941. He returned to the front lines in January 1942.

Baidukov served as a deputy commander of the 31st Air Force Division, commander of the air force of 4th strike army, commander of the 212nd (since May 1943 - the 4th Guard) Air Force Division. Commander of an Air Force Corps since January 1944.

Post-War years

Georgiy Baidukov had served with the Soviet Air Force in various capacities until 1988, when he retired with the rank of General Colonel.

See also

*Baydukov Island
* [http://visualrian.com/images/item/18898 Picture of Pilots Valery Chkalov, Georgy Baidukov and Alexander Belyakov sitting next to their plane on Udd Island]
* [http://www.avia.ru/news/?id=1157716186 Anatoliy Kvochur's Su-30 Airplane Lands at Zhukovskiy]