For centuries Russians have learned to survive in a very hostile climate,
repulsing every enemy foolish enough to invade Mother Russia's vast expanse.
Napoleon and Hitler relearned that lesson the hard way, both being defeated by
the hordes of Russian patriots who came to their country's rescue. It is
commonly believed that the invasion of Russia was one of Hitler's greatest
strategic blunders.
- The Russian Air Force played an important part in the air war of World
War II, the YAK-3, a light fighter that was considered a match for the
Spitfire, and the Shturmovik IL-2, a dive-bomber that was virtually
invulnerable to ground fire—were among the best produced during the war.
- The YAK-3 neutralized the German fighter and Stuka attacks, and that was
all that was necessary, given that Germany did not have a long-range bomber
program to speak of. The most advanced Soviet fighter produced during the
war was the powerfully elegant Lavochkin LA-7, a fighter introduced in 1944
that was easily one of the best warplanes of WWII; with fifteen thousand
produced, the LA-7 gave the Soviets the edge.
- Many believe “The role the Soviet army played in liberating Europe from
the Nazis was deliberately played down in the post-war period and during the
second world war,” More than 25 million Soviet soldiers and civilians died
in the war and Russia was the scene of some of the fiercest battles. The
Russians definitely paid the highest price in defeating the Nazis.
Below you will find some of these historic aircraft. No aviation collection
is complete without them. |
