How did propaganda help to make the Soviet civil air fleet the world’s best?

Established from scratch on Feb. 9, 1923, Soviet civil aviation made colossal progress in just half a century. By the 1970s, it was considered the world’s best by number and quality of aircraft.

“Soviet aviation is the pride of the people!”

A. Kakorekin

“Forward to new successes of Soviet aviation!”

V. Pravdin

“We will become pilots as well!”

Y.Chudov

“Young people, do aviation sports!”

Archive photo

“Build the Soviet air fleet! Everybody, become Dobrolyot shareholders!”

The Russian Society of Voluntary Air Fleet, known as Dobrolyot, existed in the 1920s and contributed to the development of the country's air fleet.

I. Simakov

“Komsomol member, young worker, pioneer! Join the aviation clubs at OSOAVIAKhIM. Be ready to protect your country, increase your support of the air fleet!”

OSOAVIAKhIM (Union of Societies of Assistance to Defense and Aviation-Chemical Construction of the USSR) was a social-political organization with the main goal of training reserves for the Soviet armed forces.

I. Buev, B. Iordansky

“Let’s give the Soviet country 150,000 pilots!”

V. Govorkov

“What have you done for cross-border flights by AVIAKhIM?”

AVIAKhIM was the predecessor of OSOAVIAKhIM.

Archive photo

“Give an engine!”

Archive photo

“Proletarian woman, master aviation equipment! Join the schools, colleges and technical universities of the civil air fleet!”

Archive photo

“Each kolkhoz and plant will give a pilot to our air fleet.”

P. Karachentsev

“Glory to Stalin’s falcons - conquerors of the skies!”

V. Deni, N. Dolgorukov

“Comrade peasants! Help to build the air fleet - you are the force behind it!”

Archive photo

“Young people, to the planes!”

G. Klutsis

“By air to USSR”

Russian State Library

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