First Russian aircraft flight to America

[diddy1234]

Hi

Does anyone know what aircraft was used when the first flight occurred from Russia to America ?

I know that it was a route proving trial flight that navigated over the north pole and that the aircraft was a large single engine type that could carry 5 tons of fuel (that was used to get to America).

The aircraft was a single wing (not bi-plane) metal body (if it helps).

I think this event occurred between WW1 and WW2.

Other than that I have no other details

Thanks in advance

RD

I have had a look at early Antonov aircraft but cannot find the aircraft.

[WHBM]

The pilot was Valeri Chkalov and the year was 1937. The type was a Tupolev ANT-25.

Valery Chkalov - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valery_Chkalov)

Tupolev ANT-25 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_ANT-25)

He is a national hero in Russia, there are Metro stations in several cities named after him. Also at Monino aircraft museum, outside Moscow, there was a substantial permanent display about him and his trans-polar flights a few years ago (though I believe in the building which has since been destroyed by fire). They carried a plaque, displayed in the museum, which had the wonderful phrase (in Russian) "From the Peasants and Workers of the Soviet Union to the Peasants and Workers of the United States". I wondered how many in the US saw themselves as peasants !

Although the first flight ended up in Vancouver, Canada, it transited Alaska and later carried on to Portland, Oregon. The next month they did a repeat that went through to California.

There was an attempt by enthusiasts in the Russian Air Force last year, the 70th anniversary, to perform a commemoration flight by the same route, which was lost at an advanced planning stage through the US being silly over some aspect of their licences :ugh:

[renfrew]

I vaguely remembered something about a Russian aircraft passing through Scotland en route to the USA during the war.
Have just checked in Google and there it is.The wonders of the internet!
A TB7/PE8 arrived at Tealing near Dundee which must have surprised the local spotters and then flew on via Prestwick to Washington.
There is even a newsreel video clip of it's departure from Washington,with red star visible.

[Super Guppy]

Actually , I believe the ANT-25 landed at Pearson Field , which is in Vancouver , Washington State (very near to Portland , Oregon). There is a small but fascinating museum there which has some pictures and memorabilia from the flight. One of the pictures can be seen here :-

http://www.pearsonairmuseum.org/images/history/misc.-pearson-005.jpg

[con-pilot]

There was an attempt by enthusiasts in the Russian Air Force last year, the 70th anniversary, to perform a commemoration flight by the same route, which was lost at an advanced planning stage through the US being silly over some aspect of their licences

I find that very strange as Russian Aircraft, both civil and military transit and operate in and out of the United States on a very regular basis. What type aircraft was/is to be used for this commemorative flight? Perhaps that was the problem, if so they should contact the EAA for help.

On a side note, I was involved in a minor way arranging for the first visit of modern day Soviet, prior to the fall of the USSR, military aircraft, the then new SU-27 and the MIG-29, and civil aircraft to perform at an airshow in Oklahoma. It took a long time and it was not easy, but we got it done.

The fighters were escorted down from Alaska to Oklahoma City by US F-16 and F-15 fighters who remained with the Soviet team for the entire tour of the US. I know for a fact of a US Air Force Lt. Col. who took a ride in the back seat of one of the SU-27s, he had a blast.

(There were also rumors that a couple of very attractive well built ladies also received rides in the back seat of the SU-27s. ;))

(Another side note; my youngest son still has Soviet pilot wings, patches and an impressive Soviet Aircraft Commander's hat that he traded all of his baseball caps for. I can also tell you that there are a couple of United States Marshal Service Command Pilot wings floating around somewhere in Russia, mine. Also a lot of patches (badges) from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma City Police Department, Oklahoma County Sheriff's Department and US Marshal Service.)

[evansb]

Tupolev ANT-25
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/convair640/ANT-25.jpg

[MReyn24050]

This is the aircraft I believe:-
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c67/sabamel/Aircraft/0943089.jpg

[ICT_SLB]

WHBM
You stated "Although the first flight ended up in Vancouver, Canada, it transited Alaska and later carried on to Portland, Oregon. The next month they did a repeat that went through to California."

Think you'll find the flight ended in Vancouver,Washington,which is just across the Columbia River from Portland. Beleive it had the only airfield in the area at the time.

[WHBM]

OK, wrong Vancouver.

There seems to be a substantial amount on the web accessible by searching for Chkalov (or Mikhail Gromov, who did the second flight). Here's one account of many of the flights.

http://warandgame.*************/2008/02/ant-25-setting-long-range-records.html

[forget]

Whichever Vancouver - that is a beautiful aircraft :ok:

[S'land]

Agreed that it is a beautiful looking aircraft. Maybe it is the wings, but there is something of the look of the U2 about it.

Found a short video in French.

YouTube - Tupolev Ant-25 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh9f5WN-eQ4)