What Was The Soviet Approach to Fighter Pilot Training

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The story of the Soviet Center for Combat Employment 1521 “Maryy” (Мары), which became the proving ground where Soviet fighter pilots would master and test their skills to become the best pilots in the world. Though different in some aspects, Soviet Air Base 1521 is often considered a Soviet analog to the US Navy TOPGUN School.
Chapters:
00:00 - TOP GUN
03:55 - BEER-BELLIED PILOTS
12:10 - CAUCASUS
24:53 - EXERCISE 500
31:24 - COGNAC STRIPES
Paper Skies - amazing stories about famous airplanes, historical events, or exceptional people that have changed the world of aviation or turned out to be unfairly forgotten.
All content on Paper Skies is presented in historical context for educational purposes.
Select imagery/video supplied by:
Getty Images: www.gettyimages.com/
AP Archive: www.aparchive.com/
Music: www.epidemicsound.com
3D models (all altered) "Mig21", "Mig23", "Mig29" (sketchfab.com/manilov.ap) by manilov.ap is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (creativecommons.org/licenses/b....
#aviation #history #skies

[@PaperSkiesAviation]

Watch my exclusive video on *"When The Soviets Tested The Captured F-5 vs MiG-21"* nebula.tv/videos/paperskies-when-the-soviets-tested-the-captured-f5-vs-mig21

[@rimka11]

And when on youtube?

[@n0sferatu]

@@rimka11 I believe its an exclusive for Nebula

[@Jon.A.Scholt]

I just found this channel and have been binging the other videos. Great production from the visuals, the editing and narration. Did far more than enough to earn a sub and likes!

[@beyondsingularity]

Howdy, the historic footage in this video looks great (very HD). Do you use some form of AI upscaling for these videos?

[@terrenceescarda8951]

How many planes are there in a fighter regiment?

[@JP12345]

"Honey melons the size of artillery shells" Just in case anyone wasn't certain that this story took place in the USSR, the measurement scale is artillery shells lol

[@Parocha]

So… people from the US are not the only ones using odd units of measure to avoid using metric? 😂😂

[@TimothyOakes]

Hahahahah no way. That's hilarious

[@manchagojohnsonmanchago6367]

they are a type of melon form turkmenistan they also clal them dino eggs.. torpedos and many other slang terms.. torpedos was the most common ive heard.. they are long like a bomb and white

[@zadeasbolt226]

If this would really take place in USSR during late 60's the shirtless guy at 5:44 min would receive political imprisonment for life!!! 🤣👍

[@jerrymartin7019]

I too enjoy melons the size of artillery shells

[@Jack-jq4if]

Would be lovely to see a video just about your father and his pilot career in the future

[@slavistoyanov432]

Awesome idea. One vote from me too!!

[@imadequate3376]

I've said the same. Was nice seeing family home video that was really cool. Nice window into another time and place.

[@gerardmartin6448]

The US have better planes than putins pathetic airforce.

[@richiefredell5976]

yes please.

[@travismcgee9333]

I agree it would be really cool to learn about Paper Skies father. By the look of things, he must have loved his son very much.

[@mafiousbj]

It's insane for me seeing your home videos seeing how "old school" the clothing and video quality are yet the jet fighters look timelessly modern. Those are some fine pieces of machinery

[@2uiator325]

What a fantastic and revealing video. I’m a former USAF pilot and knew nothing on the Soviet side of this story. Keep up the good work!

[@JK-dv3qe]

the Russian pilots were good peeps, the US pilots were good peeps (mostly). but USA got used to decimate/bomb second rate (militarily speaking) countries. and USA thought: AHA WE THE BEST AREN'T WE? then they met Russia in Ukraine in their proxy war. everything fell apart, only thing saving you now is western MSM (obviously propaganda). we all know who will win this proxy war, don't we?

[@easy_eight2810]

It's so interesting seeing a military KZbinr including his own childhood footage that is somehow related to an obscure topic of his own video

[@Emil215p]

Yea, really good video.

[@Breadnought_]

bread

[@Emil215p]

@@Breadnought_ Brød

[@Pgb633]

@@Emil215p Bröt , Pâine , Bread , Pane , Pain , Bukë , Hljeb , Leippää , now you have it , Bread in different languages

[@loremipsum3147]

@@Pgb633 ekmek

[@MustardChannel]

Brilliant video. The research is bar none - but's the subtle jokes are such a great touch 👍

[@panamericanworldairways5618]

hi mustard

[@PaperSkiesAviation]

Thank you, Mustard!

[@OriginalSeblakCeker]

@@PaperSkiesAviation aren't you Mustard lol

[@scottessery100]

@@PaperSkiesAviation thank YOU 😊 love your. Videos. 😊

[@Jon.A.Scholt]

Getting a shout out from Mustard for a channel like this must be about the best praise you can get! Btw, I agree with him.

[@TOBORtheMighty]

As an American kid that basically wore out his Top Gun VHS, it was lovely to hear stories from the other side of the curtain. Governments may bicker, but the people know: after chasing sunsets, one of life's simple joys, is playing with the boys. Keep up the great work. I can't wait to binge more of your videos.

[@twitchykun]

and volleyball games at 32nd street Naval Station

[@ZZ-sb8os]

As long as you don't forget to bring the cocoa butter, gotta make sure those muscles SHINE

[@Chrinik]

Seeing the old footage of your dad and yourself is really very wholesome. And it's kind of cool your dad was a fighterpilot

[@legoeasycompany]

Love all the personal stories that ties in with the subject on hand. Must have been awesome to talk about your dad being a fighter pilot to all your friends/classmates. Also always loved nose arts and those ones were really cool to see as well

[@PaperSkiesAviation]

It was awesome indeed. However, the biggest part of my childhood was spent living on (or close to) military bases, so the majority of my friends/classmates were the other pilots' children :).

[@BlitZnGodzilla117]

@@PaperSkiesAviation when my "dad could beat up your dad" becomes "my dad could outmanuever and shoot down your dad" lol

[@alexc7510]

@@PaperSkiesAviation could you upload the video at 14:17 with 'Take on me' on the background? I'd be great

[@PaperSkiesAviation]

@@alexc7510 If I'd have money to use "Take on me" track, I'd first spent them on "Top Gun Anthem" :)

[@PaperSkiesAviation]

@@nickytea4416 for MiG-23 it was 190th Regiment (190 ИАП). "Kutakhov's Wolfs" as it was called among pilots.

[@user-cd4bx6uq1y]

This is the level of quality that even the History channel in it's glory days would envy

[@Shadowboost]

What, their documentaries about aliens don't meet your standards?

[@octaviovaladaoferreirinhad2689]

Agreed

[@rexxbailey2764]

@@Shadowboost : NOT THE KIND THEY HAVE TODAY. 😑😒

[@NDR-hn3ue]

Indeed

[@bathhatingcat8626]

I hope the history channel does ice road truckers in Russia and ukraine war zone when the waters freeze. That might be more exciting than the old docs 😂

[@AnimarchyHistory]

Your fathers legacy lives on. Ukrainian Fulcrum pilots have proven that the MiG-29 is still a lethal platform in the hands of well trained dedicated aviators. If there is one thing the pilots of the (former) Soviet Union have proved, they are unmatched in their audacity. I can hear how proud of him you are, and rightfully so!

[@Someone-lr6gu]

> Ukrainian Fulcrum pilots have proven that the MiG-29 is still a lethal platform in the hands of well trained dedicated aviators. Did they?

[@dengawr6000]

​@@Someone-lr6gu Twice crash your plane on a cheap kamikaze drone that you tried to shoot down, hmm, in my opinion quite an indicator of skill)

[@100.streamsnipe]

​@@Someone-lr6gu Donbass war against irregular militia, Ukrainian aviation lost 11 aircrafts to nothing. 11 самолётов (1 Ан-30, 1 Ан-26, 1 Ил-76, 2 Су-24, 2 МиГ-29, 4 Су-25), 7 вертолётов (3 Ми-8 и 4 Ми-24).

[@ThapanDubayehudi]

Amen

[@someonethatuveneverseen3158]

actually, as russian myself, i see that russians, using the soviet mobilization reserve are fighting with ukrainians, that are also using soviet mobilization reserve with nato supply. I think no one in the soviet army command staff could imagine this to happen

[@pavelgalitsyn3417]

Большое спасибо за видео. Крайне интересный материал, поданный спокойно, незаангажированно и с нотками ностальгии - высший пилотаж. Почему я до сих пор был не подписан - загадка)

[@dmitryche8905]

Только сейчас понял, что дикция похожа как на канале skyshipENG

[@Kypodga]

@@dmitryche8905 а разве не на канал (СЕГОДНЯ Я УЗНАЛ), у них даже видосы одинаковые были

[@unhelpfullmedic4758]

it makes me kinda sad some people don't like the accent, i think its wonderful and its even cooler as a person who gets most of his information form western creators to hear a Eastern Accent along with someone who is loves the history of there country. while not the most important aspect is just a really enjoyable characteristic of your content :)

[@lc1138]

Strongly agree.

[@hewhohasnoidentity4377]

love the accent. the music is a little much though.

[@PercyPruneMHDOIFandBars]

To complain about this gentleman's accent is ignorant and rude! Why should every video narrator sound like some damn yankee? Personally, I PREFER to hear someone who actually knows what he's talking about! I feel honoured that someone who's first language isn't English goes to the effort of translating and narrating in a foreign language and, by the way does it so very well! Who cares if there's a hint of an accent?

[@Chiboza]

Because it reminds disgusting knuckledragging russian accent

[@PercyPruneMHDOIFandBars]

@DJTV: As a proud Englishman I can say that your accent really isn't an issue. We are a comparatively small island yet the range of accents is vast! I've come across many instances where a person from London has great difficulty understanding someone from Newcastle or Liverpool! Lol..... The simple fact you speak English is honouring!

[@jnb894]

Man, those family archives are just priceless! Wow! Thank you sharing those with us!

[@jnb894]

Just revisited this video and I am still amazed as the first time by those video archives. 🤤😎

[@ethancampbell2422]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1038">17:18</a> Oh, a F-4 FVS silhouette, that's an interesting choice. The F-4 FVS was a proposal for a variable geometry wing (like the MiG-23 and F-14) version of the F-4 Phantom. It never left the drawing board.

[@Shaun_Jones]

Probably a smart move, variable geometry wings are a colossal maintenance nightmare. They are undeniably cool, but there are good reasons why when they are replaced, they are always replaced by non-variable aircraft.

[@ethancampbell2422]

@@Shaun_Jones Well, at the time of their popularity, aerodynamic research was at a point where getting the performance needed with the knowledge and manufacturing capabilities of the time made it the easiest solution. Since then aerodynamic solutions, material science AND mission profiles have evolved to no longer make it the simplest way forward, but there was a reason it became a trend.

[@stickiedmin6508]

Good eye. Any idea what the jet at 42:14 is? I'd _guess_ that it represents one of the attempts to make a VTOL MiG, but I'm not certain about that at all.

[@ethancampbell2422]

@@stickiedmin6508 Yup, you're right, that's a MiG-23-01, if I remember correctly it was one of the branches explored for the possible MiG-23, as was the Ye-8 earlier on, and it was aiming to be a STOL plane, not full VTOL, as it was easier to achieve and required less operational compromises. MiG started using a similar configuration on a MiG-21 (can't remember the designation) to validate the concept. But even with a less ambitious goal than the French Mirage IIIV which it resembles, it fell short of expectations and the swing-wing MiG-23-11 was chosen to be the path toward which the MiG-23 program would go. Sukhoi was also consulted for this project and their proposal for the STOL variant was based off the Su-15 at first, then what would become the Su-24 (the MiG-23/Su-24 came from the same program, the same way the MiG-29/Su-27 would).

[@thomasirwin4099]

Paper, it's good to see you posting again. I hope you and your family are doing well, and like the other commenters, I'd love to hear more about your father. He sounds like a great aviator, but even more, he sounds like an AMAZING father. This was a GREAT piece to watch, and my only complaint is that I couldn't turn it off when I should have been getting extra sleep while I'm on call.

[@garrycollins3415]

I am a retired fighter pilot who flew during that era. As a graduate of and instructor at the US Air Force Fighter Weapons School (a more extensive course than the Navy Top Gun program) I really enjoyed this video.

[@xmlthegreat]

Good old inter-service rivalry eh? Where's the AF FWS movie? Shame the Navy gets to hog all the glory, they don't even know how to land their planes properly, just crash 'em every time.

[@garrycollins3415]

@@xmlthegreat The Air Force continually turns down opportunities like that.

[@DOSsector]

Did you met Tom Cruise? :D

[@user-bh6ey1ke4n]

@@xmlthegreat They tried several times, but Tom Cruise's fee was too high to fit in the war budget.

[@DeclanOReilly]

@@xmlthegreat It actually came out a few years before Top Gun, and it had both the appearance of a b movie, and used older marks of F4 phantoms.

[@philippetremblay906]

Paper Skies, if you were to create some merch with the "Мары" Top-Gun-esque logo (like on the trailer for this great vid), I would buy a coffee cup, a t-shirt and a poster. Twice.

[@PaperSkiesAviation]

I'll think about it :)

[@PercyPruneMHDOIFandBars]

Yes please! 😁

[@Funkopotomis]

Stickers and patches would be cool

[@user-sr3ld4yc2n]

@@PaperSkiesAviation думаю вам стоит обратиться за правами на бренд марыйской 1 и 2 авиабазы к правительству Туркменистана

[@zeroelus]

It had been so many months since you uploaded something I was worried about you, the person, not the channel. Happy to see you're still here. The family archive footage was wonderful, really appreciate you sharing it.

[@stejer211]

The narration about the beer-bellied fighter pilots, that you then saw waddling away with their big asses had me in stitches! I didn't know this part of history, and thank you for making me laugh.

[@samwise7538]

Super video! Absolutely fascinating explanation of a side of Soviet military aviation I genuinely knew nothing about until today. Makes me realise that it must have been considerably more advanced and more flexible than I previously gave it credit for, the impression usually being of very rigid and unresponsive strategy.

[@Dank_Lulu]

This was fascinating! And man, that VCR with a single dude voicing-over everything in a monotone voice with a shoddy translation... It's not a memory I like to relive but it got a good laugh outta me. Really happy you include these things, instead of reading information word for word like a boring uni professor would!

[@harshpatitripathi27]

I've recently developed my fascination for military fighter planes and finally getting to know about 1521 was really good. Those personal recording of yours were priceless..

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

No matter what country's uniform a military person wears, we are all brothers in arms, politicians wage war, militarys fight them. If left to associate amongst themselves, I think great bonds and friendships would form, politicians keep getting in the way. Great video, very interesting, thank you.

[@SuperDirk1965]

If no one would be so dumb as to become a soldier, politicians would have to fight their wars themselves. Just refuse to fight a war you didn't start yourself.

[@TheNicestPig]

Maryy instructors really be vibe checking MiG-29/Su-27 pilots with MiG-23s

[@THEBLUETIGER911]

You created my favourite YT channel with less than 20 videos so far. From visuals to explanations just solid work, this one was no exception. Not to mention the personal archives were a very nice touch. Well done man well done!

[@garykelley9027]

This is so interesting, seeing things 'from the other side' so to speak. We here in America hear all the time about American fighter evolution, and to a lesser extent some of the other NATO nations, but getting a glimpse into the Russian side is sparse. Thanks for this informative vid!

[@Bestofthebest383]

My dad was taken to Mary on his way to Afghanistan in 1982 . He flew from Tashkent - Mary - Kabul . He is not a pilot but Soviet used this airport as a hub on a way to Afghanistan

[@m1l3s27]

Easily one of the best aviation channels ever. I love your personal touch, and the accent! Keep up this killer content dude. I watch every video as soon as I see them in my feed.

[@andrewmccorkell3184]

What an amazing video! So glad to be a supporter of yours via Patreon! Дякую!!

[@PaperSkiesAviation]

Thank you Andrew!

[@adamfrazer5150]

This is truly fascinating to watch your footage - I've seldom seen such a snapshot of the times, but not stage-managed, manipulated and approved for release - real footage, real people, a real family... ...this is so much more than I expected, many thanks for covering this but also for sharing those moments. 👍🍻🇨🇦

[@adamfrazer5150]

I just drool whenever I'm lucky enough to see era-footage of aviation, what was achieved despite the adversity caused by the system itself.

[@Demonetised_]

This is very quickly becoming one of my favorite KZbin channels. Your research and effort you put into these is incredible.

[@GaryDeeks]

Great video, as usual. I was not aware of the whole crysis in the Soviet fighter units. Also, the personal stories at the start were a really nice touch.

[@PaperSkiesAviation]

Thank you Jakub! Glad you like the video.

[@eddieschwab864]

@@PaperSkiesAviation well if you pardon me for being so bold it makes sense that both US and Soviet Air Forces went through same conundrum because during that time obviously military Doctrine changed and as time passed had to change back. In a nutshell anyone can probably down a enemy playing with a missile it takes skill to shoot them down them with a gun.. did y'all have aircraft that flew faster than the shells would fly out of a aircraft that it would pull the trigger would actually shoot your own plane down, I know that was certainly the case with a handful of American aircraft...

[@michaelpipkin9942]

As an American I've built a thousand models. My masterpiece was my airbrushed Mig-29.

[@penskepc2374]

Always thought it was the most beautiful bird ever built.

[@Festias]

What's that got to do with being an American tho

[@penskepc2374]

@@Festias it's a Russian plane.

[@TheGreyAreaBetween]

My first model plane was the MiG-29. I'm not sure if I should write ‘as a Brit’ here though! I have a lot of airshow memories of that plane, including RIAT Fairford 1993. That one was a bit of a shocker. I still remember other planes there that year too, like the Beriev Be-42 (A-40) and Ilyushin Il-38. Not sure why the Russian planes stand out in my mind so much more. Guess they were more unknown to me than the rest. That and seeing a Ka-50 a couple of years later was amazing. Last time I witnessed any Russian fighter aircraft under Russian markings was in Ukraine 2014. Sadly that situation went from bad to hell.

[@michaelpipkin9942]

@@TheGreyAreaBetween I'm getting some shit for writing "I'm an American" Just saying I built thousands of models, B-17's, American stealth, everything. Blah blah blah. But my MiG-29 was my jewel. According to my friends my A-10, P-51, Apache we're way better. Nope.

[@jakeh1038]

THIS IS INCREDIBLY INTERESTING. Your channel was such a gem to find.

[@adamfrazer5150]

Sidebar : man.....🤤 the level of talent on display here, the visuals are so engaging to watch and the sound production/design is just as well executed. This is a top-tier watch, I'll be watching this more than a few times. Amazing work man 👌

[@shaheenal-asadi]

Very well produced documentary, this is a underrepresented theme in military history - I'm grateful you took the time to present this to the world :)

[@firstletterofthealphabet7308]

It’s a good day when Paper Skies uploads.

[@NOOBSLAYER-cw3gd]

A

[@firstletterofthealphabet7308]

@@NOOBSLAYER-cw3gd As my English teacher once said, ಠ⁠_⁠ಠ

[@challacustica9049]

Wonderfully well researched and informative. This could be a book if you had wanted it. Truly a superb video of details. You never fail to amaze being able to put this together, not to mention in wartime.

[@TheAdrianBercea]

Absolutely great! Brought back so many memories of my youth living in a town next to a mig21 airbase... It's so nice to have you back on KZbin

[@robertbalazslorincz8218]

"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat." -Sun Tzu Oh man this 'Exercise 500' sounds like a DREAM

[@vaclavjebavy5118]

@TacticalMoonstone Lose because you couldn't be bothered to do the bare minimum to support your allies after you'd already withdrawn. The US left before 1975, and the ARVN successfully withstood an NVA offensive with minimal US support, before being cut off completely.

[@domingoiocco8183]

The edit, humor, everything done great, you deserve more.

[@pepeborrego8006]

My father was a fighter pilot, he studied the MiG-23 in Kiev and later fought in the Angola War for the Cuban/FAPLA side. Great vid!

[@therealkevan8158]

I love your channel, the archival footage is amazing and your family stories are great to listen to

[@ghjong001]

This might be your best video yet - I appreciate both the deep research and the family stories. Great work, and thank you. I bet your Dad could tell stories for hours.

[@mosestheleader25]

we were waiting for so long and there was a reason: a 50 min masterpiece. amazing job.

[@collegestudent6071]

SFTI (Top Gun) is just a school to become an instructor in fighter weapons, everyone receives the training one way or another. A few naval aviators are selected from each squadron, take the course which has a 90-95% pass rate, then they go back and teach it to their squadrons. Naturally they or any other country would have their equivalents.

[@dannileigh6426]

This is a truly exceptional documentary! The research depth was impressive, with interesting personnel stories, and for all the historical and rare footage found/used. The animation was sharp and unique in style (as is an aspect of your videos that always standsout). I have a large amount of books and documents on this subject and there were many interesting points i learned. I love your videos but this was a step up I didn't even know was there! Great work, even more stoked to see where you go from here.

[@Infobikexperiencetpurscom]

Absolutely wonderful, many thanks. The material is incredible but the writing and delivery is also excellent. Amazing work!

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

One of those "little" channels you'll always be grateful having subbed to. Thanks for the family memories and leveled narration you share with us. Cheers.

[@134343]

Love the humor, background music, accent and personal touch. Stay safe and hope you will be able to publish more videos soon.

[@robert3859]

Can't imagine the work you put into this, phenomenal! Riveting from start to finish.

[@samschellhase8831]

He's back! I'm so glad to know you're still going, you made a post about the war several months ago, and I've routinely checked back every once in a while to see if there's been any update, so I'm glad to know you're ok, or at least ok enough to make videos :)

[@lilletrille8998]

As a Norwegian I have no problem with your accent Sir. Your English seems excellent to me! Sovjet airplanes facinated me from an early age as they were the "enemy". I remember reading a book at the local library in the mid 1980s and there was a line drawing on a RAM-"something" airplane...the next advanced Sovjet airplane. We did not even have a picture of the Mig29/Su27 at that time.

[@susanwilde81]

Something not mentioned I noticed was the fact American pilots had to fly within visual range to engage planes which were far more agile compared to the f-4 in order to identify the planes to engage, thereby making the missiles almost ineffectual based on this tactic. Tog Gun helped train the pilots to effectively train to use the planes superior speed along with fighter maneuvers to over take an adversary whose plane was more agile though slower. The Russians encountered this same scenario in cases like the Turkish fighter encounter. Get close enough to identify it so therefore making the missiles useless.

[@damiaorodrigues2680]

Well done! This video is full of interesting and well-delivered information. I think your personal insight as a child of a fighter pilot adds unique value to your videos. Your channel is tied with Mustard at the top of my list :)

[@AviViljoen]

This is a video to be proud of. Very well done Paper Skies!

[@istvanbarta]

Really good structured and edited documentary! Great work!

[@UrMomsChauffer]

Excellent video. I was completely unaware of this program and the associated fighter group. I especially liked the animations at the end that showed the squadron markings. This video was well researched and extremely informative. Thank you for posting it.

[@mig21pilot]

Nice job! As the owner of a MiG-17,21 and 23 it was REFRESHING to see information that didn't resort to MiG bashing ! Thank you!

[@Apeksim]

I've always wanted to hear stories from the 'other side' and yours not only provide them, but you added a little personal touch too. I'd love to hear more of personal stories related to VVS from behind the Iron Curtain.

[@That70sGuitarist]

Great video, very informative and enjoyable. I especially enjoyed that bit at the end about the captured F-5E Tiger II surprising Soviet Air Force command by beating the MiG 21 and MiG 23 in mock dogfights. I actually read an article written by one of the pilots who flew the Tiger II in those mock dogfights, and he was absolutely delighted with its manoeuvrability. I think he might have been surprised to learn that the entire design philosophy behind the F-5 series was essentially to create a cheap and almost "disposable" fighter, one that could serve as both a low-cost bomb truck *and* as a low-cost point defence interceptor. Since his only complaint about the Tiger II was that it was slightly underpowered, I bet he would've been delighted with the F-20 Tigershark, which weighed 15% more than the Tiger II, but had nearly 70% more thrust.😉 Anyway, thanks for a very in-depth look at the Soviet Union's equivalent to the Top Gun/Red Flag schools.

[@endutubecensorship]

An outstanding video, very nice to hear stories from different parts of the world. I enjoy your story telling, jokes, family history and accent.

[@mikeemery2484]

Great content, loved the animation top notch! Even your choice of background music was spot on, well done!

[@geraldtrudeau3223]

This was an excellent video. You had a lot of soviet-era footage that I've never seen before. Thank you very much.

[@RashBold]

Now, this is a quality channel that deserves more subs! Brilliant research and a good sense of humor? A lethal combination.

[@octaviovaladaoferreirinhad2689]

This is your masterpiece. I watched it two times already and shared with my friends. Thank you for your hard work

[@duzehalo]

This was top tier video! The quality of research, scripting, editing and subtle humour is above most content here. I'm happy I found it in my recommendations after binging modern aviation content for a while. Subscribed ✨

[@DFX2KX]

That is a fascinating deep-dive I was not expecting. Bravo.

[@dwaynezilla]

Another fantastic video! Great work on these, and I really dig the style. The storytelling and overall flow/layout makes for a satisfying viewing

[@JeegarPandya]

Awesome video! Thoroughly researched and extremely well presented. But the best part was the perfect background score 👌

[@babou3260]

What an awesome video !!! As a french guy I never heard about soviet flight tactics so I learned soooo much interesting things there. Thank you !

[@bruhdealer3505]

Absolutely loved this video, very high quality aviation content as always!

[@JonHuhnMedical]

"Having trouble understanding the Ukrainian accent?" No, it's why I come here :) God bless you, man.

[@frankieb9444]

I'm new to the channel and this really should be your homepage vid, showing your personal videos of you and your father really sets the tone of the rest of your videos.

[@gjcgjc9912]

The animation sequences are simply stunning. Such amazing quality.

[@crimsonfury7811]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="950">15:50</a> after missing two missiles MiG 21 to Captain Eliseev : Look at me!! I am the missile now.

[@peppapig9987]

Warthunder flashbacks intensify.

[@h069401]

Excellent story telling. I love the historic cinematography; it has a style of its own - a look

[@thesayxx]

beautiful video! Hats off to you for your extensive research and footage. Calling this TV grade documentary would be an insult, its kilometres above it! Bravo! Looking forward to seeing more of your videos.

[@cwjsmit64]

I'm so glad I came across this channel. Binge watching it! Incredibly well done!

[@fortworthron]

Wonderful video! Great footage of old school MiGs... 🙂

[@saltycreole2673]

USAF Firefighter SAC Command 1976-1980 here. We took the USSR Air Force, particularly the massive Bomber fleet very very seriously. When NORAD system collapsed in 1977, the Soviets flew every bomber the had at us over the North pole. The Canadian's F-104s forced them to turn back. I love Canadians from that day forward.

[@JohnWayneCheeseburger]

As an air cadet here in Canada we had retired service men and as teachers or guest speakers and officers alot of them where former F-104 piolts, they had some cool stories about driving those rockets around.

[@achowdhury47]

When did this happen? Is there any news article about this?

[@dmitryyakimenko1779]

Have RCAF F-104s deployed in Canada? I always thought that all their squadrons were deployed in Europe

[@JohnWayneCheeseburger]

@@dmitryyakimenko1779 most definitely stationed in Canada are you forgetting we are super close to USSSR/Russia its just over the pole. I dont have a detalied list of operational bases but Canada only has like 4 AFB for fighters.Canada actually manufactured all 200 aircraft that served in the RCAF as the Canadaair CF 104 star fighter. Im not sure what keeping our intire air force in Europe would achieve but only a portion ever where at any time.

[@dmitryyakimenko1779]

​@@JohnWayneCheeseburgerF-104s in the Canadian Air Force flew as part of 8 combat squadrons based at air bases in Europe. Only the 417th Combat Support Squadron (Cold Lake) was based in Canada and conducted training rather than combat. Apparently, we are talking about her, but she is not combat, that is, her pilots do not fulfill the tasks of the country's air defense. Or maybe I don’t know something, and the F-104 squadrons were involved in the air defense of Canada

[@ale1022]

Outstanding! Bravo - what a brilliant video!! Just loved it. I hope you are well and safe in these current troubled times.

[@ianclaproth3675]

A great video, thank you. Very informative and well produced. Bravo!

[@PercyPruneMHDOIFandBars]

AT LAST! A new video from my favourite Eastern European aviation historian! Your vids are beautifully presented, obviously well researched and clearly the result of passion! Thanks for sharing your excellent work!

[@topiasr628]

I've been looking forward to this for the last few days!

[@solartaire1]

Excellent video. I get warm fuzzy feelings being able to dive into such an interesting subject.

[@donaldsinclair7762]

I wish I knew of this channel before, highly informative and very enjoyable for fighter jet nerds. Absolutely subbed. ❤️

[@peppapig9987]

It is always a good time after an upload. We missed you!

[@MrJvind]

Great Video! Would love to see more on the USSR air force, as it is super hard to find good quality info on the subject. thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@StanleyVaughn-xk3wv]

OUTSTANDING video -very detailed, very insightful!!! Keep up the GREAT WORK!!!

[@disabledghostie314]

I just found your channel. If I'm being honest it was recommended to me a while ago but I have avoided it because I am a Navy kid. But, after watching a few of your videos we do have something in common; our parents fighting during the Cold War. The line about your father returning from his missions with fruits brought back memories of my US Navy dad and also his friends bringing back tchotkes, nesting dolls, or even those black lacquer boxes. Even though he was a russian linguist on submarines he has always respected his Soviet counter parts. Anyway, I've been mulling over starting a channel for a while with different subjects, and maybe I will now after watching your stuff. Good luck to you, military kid.

[@hawkertyphoon4537]

I absolutely LOVED the custom graphics and animations! Although this Video is meant for someone who knows about jet fighters, it also shows an image of the UDSSR Military Culture. Well done!

[@MicMirageMusic]

I used to binge-watch Wings of Russia several times and enjoyed it greatly. I have the same feeling watching your extremely well-made content. Thank you very much!

[@tonydotnottingham]

A really fascinating documentary, very well structured and gave a lot of context - thanks for sharing!

[@brownmold]

Awesome video. Thanks for putting this together and sharing.

[@zachw1486]

Excellent video! It's always fascinating to me to get to learn and see how the USSR worked behind the scenes. Your dad must have been a real badass.

[@mr47chicagosneakers48]

Absolutely superb documentary. Enjoyed it very much especially being a ww2/cold war nerd it’s refreshing to come across content that I haven’t watched already 400 times lol. 🙌🙌🙌

[@michaelhorvath3592]

Great video mate. Learned a ton of stuff I'd always wanted to know about. Thank you!