Before the war, he tested almost all types of aircraft. Aviation records brought world fame to the pilot. Mikhail Gromov made several flights that were unique for his time. From September 10 to 12, 1934, on an ANT-25 aircraft, he flew without landing along a closed route of 12 and a half thousand kilometers in 75 hours. During the war, he commanded a division, air armies

Biography

Born on February 24, 1899 in Tver, he had both noble (on the father's side) and peasant roots in his social origin. He spent his childhood and youth in Kaluga, Rzhev, a military town near Moscow. As an extremely gifted person, he early showed a variety of abilities, including in music and drawing. After grammar school, he entered the medical faculty of Moscow University, but as a result he chose the profession of a test pilot.

Who was

After graduating from the Moscow Flight School in 1918, he was left there as an instructor pilot. In 1924-1930. - in flight test work at the Air Force Research Institute, then 11 years at TsAGI, from March to August 1941 - head of the Flight Research Institute. He tested many well-known aircraft and performed a number of long-distance flights across Europe, China and Japan. He was actively involved in sports (running and gymnastics), being among the first weightlifting athletes in the Red Army, he promoted sports, and in 1923 he became the USSR champion in weightlifting (in heavy weight). By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War - brigade commander. In the post-war period (1946-1949) - Deputy Commander of Long-Range Aviation, then for 6 years he was Head of the Flight Service Directorate of the USSR Ministry of Aviation Industry. Since 1955, Aviation Colonel General Gromov is in reserve.

What is famous for

September 10-12, 1934 on the ANT-25 aircraft (together with A.I.Filin and I.T.Spirin) made a record in range and duration flight along a closed route, covering 12,411 km in 75 hours. For courage and heroism , shown during the performance of this flight, test pilot Gromov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union (medal number 8), and the crew members were awarded the Order of Lenin. In 1937, on ANT-25 (with AB Yumashev and SA Danilin) ​​he made a non-stop flight Moscow - North Pole - San Jacinto (California, USA), setting two world aviation records for flight range. For this flight, the International Aeronautical Federation (FAI) awarded the pilots and navigator the Henri de Laveau medal for the best achievement in 1937.

Battle locations

During the war, he commanded an air division, the Air Force of the Kalinin Front, reorganized into the 3rd Air Army, then the 1st Air Army. Since the summer of 1944, he was the head of the Main Directorate of Combat Training of Front-Line Aviation of the Space Force Air Force.

Cases of the highest degree of heroism

The flight in July 1937 from Moscow through the North Pole to America lasted almost three days. Gromov made a huge contribution to the popularization of our aviation in the United States and around the world.

Circumstances of death

State awards

The Hero of the Soviet Union was awarded the Orders of Lenin (four times), the Order of the Patriotic War of the 1st degree, the Red Banner (four times), the Order of Suvorov of the 2nd degree, the October Revolution. He is a Knight Commander of the French Legion of Honor. Streets in Moscow, Sevastopol, Dnepropetrovsk and other cities are named in honor of Mikhail Gromov. The name of the famous pilot bears the Flight Research Institute in Zhukovsky. The supersonic strategic bomber-missile carrier of the Russian Air Force Tu-160 and the passenger aircraft Il-96-300 of the Russian airline Aeroflot are named after Gromov.

Gromov Mikhail Mikhailovich - test pilot of the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI). Was born on February 12 (24), 1899 in the city of Tver in the family of an employee. Russian. He spent his childhood and adolescence in Kaluga, Rzhev, the village of Losinoostrovsky (now within the boundaries of Moscow). In 1916-1917 he studied at the Moscow Higher Technical School, in 1917 he graduated from the aviation theoretical courses at the Moscow Higher Technical School. From June 1917 in the army, he was a student pilot, in the Red Army from 1918. In the same year he graduated from the Central Moscow Aviation School, fought in the reconnaissance aviation detachment on the Eastern Front. In 1920-1924 he was an instructor pilot of the Moscow Aviation School, a test pilot of a scientific test airfield, a detachment commander of the Serpukhov military school of shooting and bombing. 1924-1930 - in flight test work at the Air Force Research Institute (Air Force Research Institute), in 1930-1941 - at TsAGI. Raised and tested many famous aircraft - Po-2, ANT-9, TB-3, ANT-25, Pe-8. Performed a number of long-distance flights across Europe, to China and Japan. 10-12 September 1934 on the ANT-25 aircraft (co-pilot - A.I. Filin, navigator - I.T.Spirin) route - 12.411 km in 75 hours For courage and heroism shown during this flight, test pilot Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov on September 28, 1934 was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin. After the establishment of the badge of special distinction, he was awarded the Gold Star medal No. 8.12-14 July 1937, on the ANT-25 aircraft, he made a non-stop flight (co-pilot - A. B. Yumashev, navigator - S. A. Danilin) ​​on the route Moscow - North Pole - San Jacinto (USA), setting 2 world aviation records for flight range. From March to August 1941 - head of the Flight Research Institute. In August - November 1941, he was on a business trip to the United States, did a lot of work on organizing the supply of combat aircraft to the USSR. Participant of the Great Patriotic War: in December 1941 - February 1942 - commander of the 31st mixed air division (Kalinin Front); Air Force Commander of the Kalinin Front (February-May 1942); Commander of the 3rd (May 1942 - May 1943) and 1st Air Armies (May 1943 - July 1944). In 1944-1946, he was the head of the Main Directorate of Combat Training of Frontline Aviation of the Air Force. Participated in the offensive of Soviet troops near Moscow, in the Rzhev-Sychevskaya, Velikolukskaya, Demyansk, Rzhev-Vyazemskaya, Oryol, Smolensk, Belorussian offensive operations. May 1946 - May 1949 - Deputy Commander of Long-Range Aviation. May 1949 - September 1955 - Head of the Flight Service Directorate of the Ministry of Aviation Industry of the USSR (leaving the Armed Forces in cadres). In September 1955 he was in reserve. In 1959-1961 he was the chairman of the Weightlifting Federation of the USSR. Lived in Moscow. Died on January 22, 1985. Buried in Moscow at the Novodevichy cemetery. Kombrig (02.22.1938); Major General of Aviation (05/03/1942); Lieutenant General of Aviation (04/30/1943); Colonel General of Aviation (08/19/1944) Honored Pilot of the USSR (1925), Honored Master of Sports of the USSR (1969), Professor (1937). He was awarded 4 Orders of Lenin (09/28/1934, 1945, 1969, 1984), the Order of the October Revolution (1979), 4 Orders of the Red Banner (1925, 09/01/1937, 1944, 1948), Orders of Suvorov 2nd degree (1943), Patriotic war of the 1st degree (1942), 3 orders of the Red Star (10/27/1932, 08/17/1933, 05/25/1936), medals, foreign awards. Awarded the de Lavaux medal (FAI) (1937), a street in Moscow and a square in the city of Zhukovsky, Moscow region, are named after him. Memorial plaques were installed on the house where he lived in Moscow and on the building in the city of Zhukovsky where he worked. Compositions: Throughout my life. M., 1986; On the flight profession. M., 1993; On earth and in the sky. Zhukovsky, 1999; On the ground and in the sky. 2nd ed., Add. and rev. Moscow, 2005.

Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov was born in Tver on February 24, 1899, in the family of a military doctor. Childhood was spent in the cities of Kaluga, Rzhev, Losinoostrovsky, Moscow region. Graduated from the Moscow Real School of Voskresensky. Since 1910 he began to get carried away with aircraft modeling. Since 1916 Mikhail Gromov has been studying at the Imperial Technical School. Then he is engaged in weightlifting in the "Sanitas" society. At the age of 17, Gromov set the Moscow City record for light heavyweight bench press - 202.5 lbs. In the same period, he took painting lessons from the artist Ilya Mashkov.

In 1917, Mikhail Gromov was drafted into the army, where he completed a course of basic military training in a telegraph battalion, graduated from the aviation theoretical courses of Professor Zhukovsky at the Imperial Technical School and entered the Moscow Flight School. He made his first independent flight on Farman-30 after only 43 minutes of training flights.

In 1918, Gromov joined the ranks of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA) and graduated from the Moscow Flight School, where he was left as an instructor pilot. Mikhail Gromov taught cadets to fly and mastered aerobatics on the Moran and Nieuport aircraft.

In November 1919 - November 1920. takes part in the Civil War as a pilot of the 29th reconnaissance squadron of the Eastern Front, and then - as a pilot of the 2nd air wing of the Urals sector of the internal security forces. He flew on reconnaissance and scattered leaflets.

In 1920-22. Mikhail Gromov works as an instructor pilot, and then he is the head of the combat use department of the 1st Moscow Aviation School. One of his cadets was. In 1923, Gromov became the USSR heavyweight champion in weightlifting.

Since June 1924, Mikhail Gromov has served as a test pilot at the Scientific Experimental Aerodrome (NOA) evaluating the properties of aircraft and participated in the development of methods for blind and night flights. Mikhail Gromov has tested many famous aircraft. Performed a number of long-distance flights across Europe, to China and Japan.

Since April 1930, Gromov was a test pilot, squadron commander, chief pilot of TsAGI. He lifted into the sky and tested almost all the OKB aircraft created in the 30s - passenger aircraft ANT-14, ANT-20 "Maxim Gorky", ANT-35, long-range reconnaissance aircraft R-6, R-7, flying boat MDR -2, heavy bombers, TB-4, TB-5, ANT-42 (Pe-8), as well as experimental aircraft - I-8 (ANT-13), BOK-15 and others.

On August 14, 1931, Gromov lifted into the sky a five-engine passenger aircraft ANT-14 (crew - 5 people, passengers - 36 people). In the spring of 1932, during a test flight over the southern outskirts of Moscow on the TB-5 four-engined bomber, the left rear engine caught fire in the air. Gromov, knowing that most of the crew members (there were 12 of them) did not have parachutes, did not leave the plane. He managed to bring down the flames and land the faulty car at the nearest airfield.

In the fall of 1933, he tested the record ANT-25 aircraft and made a long-distance non-stop flight Moscow - Sevastopol - Moscow - Sevastopol on it.

In 1934, on the ANT-25 aircraft, Gromov's crew made a long-distance non-stop flight Moscow - Ryazan - Kharkov - Dnepropetrovsk - Kharkov, having covered 12411 km in 75 hours and 2 minutes, setting a world record for flight range. Colonel Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the heroic deed and selfless work shown during the flight. After the establishment of the Gold Star medal as a sign of special distinction for the Heroes of the Soviet Union, Gromov was awarded medal No. 8.

On May 1, 1935, on the ANT-20 "Maxim Gorky" aircraft, Gromov headed the air parade over Red Square. The night before, during a festive evening at the Art Theater, he felt bad - internal bleeding opened up. A few hours after the parade, he was taken to the hospital in serious condition. The bleeding was ulcerative. Only in the summer of 1936, after prolonged treatment, Gromov returned to duty.

And the plane Maxim Gorky on May 18 of the same year took on board the best shock workers of the Red Banner TsAGI for the first time: the engineers and technicians who built it, the best workers and party workers. The pride of our country and the world's greatest land plane, on board of which there was a printing house with a rotary machine capable of printing eight thousand leaflets in 1 hour, a radio ("a voice from heaven"), a cinema and a photographic laboratory. It was a Soviet propaganda plane. One of the best pilots of TsAGI, Nikolai Semenovich Zhurov, was the first pilot of Maxim Gorky that day. Maxim Gorky was supposed to be accompanied in flight by two more planes: on the right side of the giant, a small single-seat plane under the control of Nikolai Blagin, and on the left, Rybushkin's two-seater plane with a cameraman on board.

Exactly what instructions Nikolai Blagin received before the flight, no one will know anymore, but judging by the inconsistencies in the newsreel and the official version of the aerial hooliganism he showed, as well as the fact that two other heroes of the Soviet Union - M. Vodopyanov and M. Slepnev did not sign the printed in the newspaper Pravda on May 20, 1935, a letter with the title "At the helm, as in battle", one can judge that the operator who was sitting on the third plane had to shoot the aerobatics that the pilot Blagin performed around Maxim Gorky.

"TASS ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE DISASTER OF THE AIRCRAFT" MAXIM GORKY "

May 18, 1935, at 12 hours 45 minutes. in Moscow, in the area of ​​the Central airfield, there was a disaster with the plane "Maxim Gorky". The disaster took place under the following circumstances.

The plane "Maxim Gorky" flew under the control of TsAGI pilot t. Zhurov, with the second pilot from the squadron. Maxim Gorky to Comrade Mikheev, having on board passengers, TsAGI drummers in the amount of 36 people (including six children. - A, K.).

In this flight, the Maxim Gorky aircraft was accompanied by the TsAGI training aircraft (I-5 fighter - AK) under the control of pilot Blagin.

Despite the categorical prohibition to do any aerobatics during escort, pilot Blagin violated this order and began to do aerobatics in the immediate vicinity of the Maxim Gorky aircraft at an altitude of 700 meters.

At the exit from the loop, pilot Blagin hit the wing of the Maxim Gorky plane with his plane.

The Maksim Gorky aircraft, as a result of the damage received from the impact of the training aircraft, began to collapse in the air, went into a dive and in separate parts fell to the ground in the Sokol village near the airfield.

In a mid-air collision, pilot Blagin, who was piloting a training aircraft, was also killed. The funeral of the victims was taken at the state expense and will take place on May 20 of this year.

The government decided to give the families of the victims 10,000 rubles each. a lump-sum allowance for each family and to establish an increased pension provision.

A funeral commission was formed, consisting of: Khrushchev, Kharlamov (head of TsAGI. - A. K.), Tkachev (head of the Main Directorate of the Civil Air Fleet. - A. K.). "

On September 15, 1936, Mikhail Gromov, on an ANT-35 passenger aircraft, the tests of which he had just completed, with seven crew members and passengers made a non-stop flight and set an aviation speed record, covering 1266 kilometers in 3 hours 38 minutes at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour.

In early November, on ANT-35, Gromov flew to Paris to participate in the 15th Paris Exhibition. Chkalov and his crew also took part in the exhibition. Having discussed the possibility of a transarctic flight, the pilots decided to turn to Stalin with a request to allow him to fly to America via the North Pole on two planes next year.

From 12 to 14 July 1937, Gromov, together with Yumashev and Danilin, made a non-stop flight Moscow - North Pole - San Jacinto (USA) on ANT-25, having covered 10148 km in a straight line in 62 hours 17 minutes.

An absolute record was set for flight range in a straight line, as well as two records in class C (land aircraft) - flights in a straight line and a broken line. The entire crew, the first among domestic aviators, were awarded the highest award of the International Aviation Federation (FAI) for the best achievement in 1937 - the Henri de Laveau medal. Gromov was awarded the Order of Lenin, and Yumashev and Danilin were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

Gromov had enough fuel even to Panama, but he was not allowed to cross the Mexican border and had to land without running out of fuel. Then the enterprising owner of the pasture, on which Gromov's crew landed, bottled this gasoline and sold it as souvenirs. Gromov, Yumashev and Danilin spent a whole month in America, taking part in various ceremonies, including those received by US President Roosevelt. Then on the passenger liner "Normandy" sailed to Europe.

In 1937, the Higher Attestation Commission awarded Gromov the academic title of professor of technical operation of aircraft and motors. On February 22, 1938, he was awarded the military rank of brigade commander. In 1940, Gromov was awarded the title of 1st class test pilot. In 1940-41. - Head of the Scientific and Technical Group of the People's Commissariat of the Aviation Industry. Since March 1941, Gromov has been the head of the Flight Research Institute of the People's Commissariat for Aviation Industry.

In August-December 1941, brigade commander Gromov was on a government mission to the United States to acquire American strategic bombers Boeing B-17 "Flying fortress". The Americans refused to sell the "flying fortresses", offering instead twin-engine B-25 bombers. Even Roosevelt's intervention did not help. Gromov returned with nothing.

Since December 1941, Mikhail Gromov commanded the 31st Air Division of the Kalinin Front. In February 1942 he was appointed commander of the Air Force of the Kalinin Front. On May 3, 1942, the brigade commander Gromov was awarded the military rank of Major General of Aviation. May 1942 to May 1943 Major General of Aviation Gromov commanded the 3rd Air Army. On April 30, 1943, Gromov was awarded the military rank of Lieutenant General of Aviation. Since May 1943, Mikhail Gromov has been the commander of the 1st Air Army. As part of his army, the Normandy air regiment fought. The French government, noting the merits of Gromov on the front of the struggle against the German fascist invaders, awarded him the Commander's Order of the Legion of Honor. Since June 1944, Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov is the head of the Main Directorate of Combat Training of Frontline Aviation of the Air Force. On August 19, 1944, Gromov was awarded the military rank of Colonel-General of Aviation.

In 1946-49, Gromov was deputy commander of Long-Range Aviation. In 1949-54 - Head of the Flight Service Directorate of the Ministry of Aviation Industry, in 1954-55. - Head of the Flight Service Department of the Minaviaprom.
Since 1955 - in reserve.

In 1959-61. - Gromov was the chairman of the USSR Weightlifting Federation. In 1969 he was awarded the title of Honored Master of Sports of the USSR.

Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov - Hero of the Soviet Union, awarded four Orders of Lenin, the Order of the October Revolution, four Orders of the Red Banner, Orders of Suvorov 2nd degree, Patriotic War 1st degree, three Orders of the Red Star, medals, foreign awards.

Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov died on January 22, 1985. He is buried in Moscow, at the Novodevichy cemetery.

The name of Gromov is borne by the Flight Research Institute in the city of Zhukovsky, Moscow region, on the territory of which his bust is installed, as well as a street in Moscow and a square in the city of Zhukovsky.

1899-1985

Hero of the Soviet Union (09/28/1934), 1st class test pilot (1940), Colonel General of Aviation (1944), Honored Pilot of the USSR (1925), Honored Master of Sports of the USSR (1969), professor (1937).
Born on February 24 (12th - Old Style), 1899 in the city of Tver in the family of an employee. Russian. He spent his childhood and adolescence in Kaluga, Rzhev, the village of Losinoostrovsky (now within the boundaries of Moscow). In 1916-1917 he studied at the Moscow Higher Technical School, in 1917 he graduated from the aviation theoretical courses at the Moscow Higher Technical School. From June 1917 in the army.
In the Red Army since 1918. In the same year he graduated from the Moscow Flight School, remained there as an instructor pilot. In November 1919 he took part in the hostilities on the Eastern Front as part of the 29th reconnaissance squadron. In 1920-1924 - pilot-instructor of the Moscow Aviation School.
In 1924-1930 - on flight test work at the Air Force Research Institute (Air Force Research Institute). Performed the first flight and tested U-2 (Po-2) (1927), I-4 (1927), I-3 (1928), I-4bis (1928), ANT-9 (1929), R-6 ( 1929). Performed a number of long-distance flights across Europe, China and Japan. On June 23, 1927, while testing the I-1 for a spin, for the first time in the country, he performed a forced parachute jump from an airplane.
In 1930-1941 - test pilot at TsAGI. In 1940-1941 - Head of the Scientific and Technical Group of the NKAP. Performed the first flight and tested R-7 (1930), I-8 (1930), TB-3 (1930), ANT-14 (1931), ANT-25 (1933), TB-4 (1933), ANT- 20 (1934), ANT-35 (1936), Pe-8 (1936), BOK-15 (1939).
September 10-12, 1934 on the ANT-25 aircraft (co-pilot - A.I. Filin, navigator - I.T.Spirin) made a record in range and duration flight along a closed route - 12.411 km in 75 hours.
For the courage and heroism shown during this flight, test pilot Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on September 28, 1934, and was awarded the Order of Lenin. After the establishment of the badge of special distinction, he was awarded the Gold Star medal No. 8.
July 12-14, 1937 on the ANT-25 aircraft made a non-stop flight (co-pilot - A.B. Yumashev, navigator - S.A. Danilin) ​​on the route Moscow-North Pole-San Jacinto (USA), establishing 2 world aviation flight range record (of which 1 is absolute).
From March to August 1941 - head of the Flight Research Institute. He took part in flights of UT-2 on an air cushion, Me-109, G-28 "Krechet".
Member of the Great Patriotic War: in December 1941 - February 1942 - commander of the 31st mixed air division (Kalinin Front); Air Force Commander of the Kalinin Front (February-May 1942); Commander of the 3rd (May 1942 - May 1943) and 1st Air Armies (May 1943 - June 1944). In 1944-1946, he was the head of the Main Directorate of Combat Training of Frontline Aviation of the Air Force.
In 1946-1949 - Deputy Commander of Long-Range Aviation. In 1949-1955 - Head of the Flight Service Directorate of the USSR Ministry of Aviation Industry. Since August 1955 - in reserve.
1959-1961 - Chairman of the USSR Weightlifting Federation.
He lived in the hero city of Moscow. Died on January 22, 1985. Buried in Moscow at the Novodevichy cemetery.
Awarded 4 Orders of Lenin (1934, 1945, 1969, 1984), Order of the October Revolution (1979), 4 Orders of the Red Banner (1925, 1937, 1944, 1948), Orders of Suvorov 2nd degree (1943), Patriotic War 1st degree (1942), 3 orders of the Red Star (1932, 1933, 1967), medals, foreign awards. Recipient of the de Laveau medal (FAI) (1937).
A street in Moscow and a square in the city of Zhukovsky, Moscow region, are named after him. Memorial plaques were installed on the house where he lived in Moscow and on the building in the city of Zhukovsky where he worked.

Compositions:

• Throughout my life. M., 1986;
• About the flying profession. M., 1993;
• On earth and in the sky. Zhukovsky, 1999;
• On earth and in the sky. 2nd ed., Add. and rev. Moscow, 2005

Sources of information:

• LII testers / Vasin V.P., Simonov A.A., "Aviation printing yard", Zhukovsky, 2001 /
• Heroes of the fiery years. Book 6.M .: Moscow worker, 1983
• Heroes of the Soviet Union and Russia of the Northern AO of Moscow. M., 2003
• Heroes of the Soviet Union. A Brief Biographical Dictionary. Volume 1.M .: Voeniz., 1987
• Dolgov I.A. Golden stars of Kalinin residents. Book. 1. - M .: Moscow worker, 1983

Gromov Mikhail Mikhailovich was born on February 24, 1899 in Tver, in the family of a military doctor. Childhood was spent in the cities of Kaluga, Rzhev, Losinoostrovsky, Moscow region. Graduated from the Moscow Real School of Voskresensky. Since 1910, Mikhail Gromov became interested in aircraft modeling. From 1916 he studied at the Imperial Technical School. In the same period of his life, Mikhail Gromov was engaged in weightlifting in the "Sanitas" society and took painting lessons from the artist Ilya Mashkov. At the age of 17, Gromov set the Moscow City record for light heavyweight bench press - 202.5 pounds.

Gromov's service in the army and the first independent flights

In 1917, Mikhail Gromov was drafted into the army. In the same year, he completed an initial military training course in the telegraph battalion, graduated from the aviation theory courses of Professor Zhukovsky at the Imperial Technical School and entered the Moscow Flight School. Mikhail Gromov made his first independent flight on a Farman-30 aircraft after 43 minutes of training flights with an instructor.

In 1918 he joined the ranks of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army (RKKA). In the same year, Gromov graduated from the Moscow Flight School and was left there as an instructor pilot. He taught cadets to fly on the Voisin aircraft, and he mastered aerobatics on the Moran and Nieuport aircraft.

Once on the plane "Moran-J" - an old machine, well-worn, riddled with bullets - Gromov unexpectedly got into a tailspin in front of the cadets of the flight school. Soon the spin turned into reverse rotation. It seemed that death was inevitable, but Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov managed to get out of a hopeless position, knocked the car down on the left plane, reduced the gas and made a landing. Delighted and delighted comrades, running from all sides to the place of the expected disaster, saw the surviving "Moran" and the living, calm Gromov, with a master's air, was bustling about the car.

The first combat flights of Gromov

Then Gromov took part in the Civil War. In November 1919 - November 1920. was a pilot of the 29th reconnaissance squadron of the Eastern Front, and then - a pilot of the 2nd air wing of the Priuralsky sector of the internal security forces. He flew on reconnaissance, scattered leaflets.

In 1920-22. Mikhail Gromov was an instructor pilot, and in 1922-1924. - Head of the Department of Combat Use of the 1st Moscow Aviation School. In the spring of 1923, he was temporarily assigned as an instructor pilot and squadron commander to the Serpukhov Higher School of Air Combat, Shooting and Bombing, where one of his cadets was Valery Chkalov.

Sports achievements of Mikhail Gromov

Continuing to play sports in 1923, Gromov became the USSR heavyweight champion in weightlifting with the result: two-arm press - 202 pounds, one-arm snatch - 162 pounds, two-hand clean and jerk - 290 pounds!

Flight test work of Mikhail Gromov

Since June 1924, Gromov served as a test pilot at the Scientific Experimental Airfield (NOA).

The PLA acted as a control body in assessing the properties of aircraft. The PLA received aircraft of Soviet and foreign production already tested at the factories. PLA pilots were also involved in factory tests.

In the second half of the 20s. Gromov lifted into the sky and tested the U-2, I-3, I-4, I-4bis aircraft, and also conducted state tests of the R-3 (ANT-3), R-5, I-1, TB-1 aircraft (ANT-4). Participated in the development of methods for blind and night flights.

A series of long-range flights by Mikhail Gromov

From 06/10/1925 to 07/13/1925 by plane R-1 Mikhail Gromov with flight mechanic E.V. Radzevich took part in a group long-distance flight Moscow - Kazan - Sarapul - Kurgan - Novosibirsk - Krasnoyarsk - Nizhneudinsk - Irkutsk - Verkhneudinsk - Ulan Bator - Miaotan - Beijing, covering 6476 km in 52 flight hours.

The flight was attended by 6 aircraft: AK-1, 2 R-1, R-2 and 2 Yu-13. In addition to pilots and flight mechanics, journalists, writers and cameramen flew. Behind the Urals, not far from Shabrinsk, Gromov was forced to make an emergency landing due to a malfunction of the fuel system. The further flight went well. Only at the last stage did one of the Junkers damaged the landing gear during landing and was left as irreparable.

All participants in the flight were awarded the Orders of the Red Banner and Chinese orders. In addition, the pilots were awarded the title of Honored Pilot of the USSR.

In Beijing, the out-of-date motors were replaced with the P-1. Both planes were to fly over the sea to Japan.

From 08/30/1925 to 09/02/1925 on a P-1 plane with flight mechanic Radzevich participated in a group long-distance flight Beijing - Mukden - Seoul - Taikyu - Hiroshima - Okayama - Tokorosawa (an airfield 30 km from Tokyo).

The flight over the sea had to be made in continuous clouds using a compass. Particular acuteness was given by the prohibition to fly through certain areas, in case of violation of which the planes could be fired upon from the ground. One Soviet plane nevertheless violated the ban by making an emergency landing. Subsequently, it was dismantled and taken out. And Gromov, more than 160 km, to Hiroshima itself, had to fly through a tropical downpour at an altitude of 15-20 meters above the water surface with waves and swarming sharks.

From 08/31/1926 to 09/02/1926 on the ANT-3 "Proletary" all-metal aircraft Gromov with flight mechanic Radzevich made a long-distance flight along the closed route Moscow - Koenigsberg - Berlin - Paris - Rome - Vienna - Warsaw - Moscow, having covered 7150 km in 34 hours 15 minutes of flight time.

Gromov flew out twice. The first time, on August 30, he had to return to Moscow halfway through due to a malfunction of the engine expansion tank. Its design was changed, and the flight still took place. However, upon arrival in Paris, a radiator leak was discovered. There was nowhere to get the necessary radiator. Nevertheless, with the help of a French mechanic, it was possible to get a suitable radiator and install it on the plane overnight. We took off through the pouring rain. In Rome, they were delayed because of a long refueling, and in Vienna, at great risk, they sat down in the dark. Despite all the difficulties, the flight was completed in just three days.

French aviators, delighted with the courage of a hitherto unknown Soviet pilot, elected him a member of the Old Trunks club, as “ the best pilot in the world in 1926»

In the fall of 1926, Gromov tested the MR-1 naval reconnaissance aircraft (float version R-1).

Gromov's first parachute jump from an airplane in the country

On April 25, 1927, when testing the I-1 fighter for a flat spin, for the first time in the country, he performed a forced parachute jump from an airplane.

Aviation Colonel General Gromov recalls: “It was inconvenient to sit - the parachute interfered. I tied myself with a waist belt ... After gaining an altitude of 2200 meters, I decided that this was enough, reduced the throttle to the minimum, lifted the plane, took the handle and gave my right leg. The plane instantly went into a right spin ... I count the turns. One, two, three ... I sharply give my left leg to the point of failure (with the handle also taken over to the full). I'm waiting for one and a half turns. I give a sharp handle three-quarters of the way away. I look ... and my eyes begin to widen: the plane continues to rotate and lifts its nose! ..

Orbit, two, three - the nose of the aircraft has risen as if gliding at the lowest speed, but the rotation does not stop. My cheeks are already burning ... I take the handle to the full, my left leg continues to press the pedal. I looked, the nose went down and after one and a half turns the plane went into a steep tailspin. The motor stalled. I count the turns: twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth ... It's time to unfasten!

Unfastened ... Barely pulled his feet from the pedals. I want to get up. It was not so. I have at least two and a half people on me. I put my feet and hands on, trying to climb aboard. The legs trained in the clean and jerk (as the exercises with the barbell have come in handy now) did not let me down, and then I finally sat on board ... I have no time to think. Vitkov - 22, height - 120 meters. Everything. Enough! He took hold of the parachute ring. I made sure that I was holding it. I push off with my feet, and here I am in the air ... A dash - and a dome is above me. "

Tests by Gromov of the first large passenger aircraft

In May 1929, Gromov lifted into the sky and tested the first large Soviet passenger aircraft ANT-9 (crew - 2 people, passengers - 9 people).

From 06/06/1929 to 06/12/1929 on the ANT-9 aircraft with the navigator Spirin I.T. made a long-distance flight Moscow - Odessa - Sevastopol - Odessa - Kiev - Moscow. During the flight, it was necessary to make an emergency landing on the banks of the Dnieper due to a malfunction of the propellers, which arose due to their unsuccessful design. In Moscow, according to the results of the flight, all the comments were eliminated.

From 07/10/1929 to 08/08/1929 on the ANT-9 aircraft, called "Wings of the Soviets", with flight mechanic V.P. Rusakov and passengers (representatives of the press) made a long-distance flight along a closed route Moscow - Berlin - Paris - Rome - Marseille - Nevers - London - Paris - Berlin - Warsaw - Moscow, having covered 9037 km in 53 hours of flight time.

In France, he made an emergency landing due to a structural defect of the hatch on the center section of the wing, which opened in flight and disrupted the streamlining of the wing, which almost led to a disaster.

Tests by Gromov of Tupolev Design Bureau planes

Since April 1930, Gromov was a test pilot, squadron commander, chief pilot of TsAGI. He lifted into the sky and tested almost all Tupolev Design Bureau aircraft created in the 30s - passenger aircraft ANT-14, ANT-20 "Maxim Gorky", ANT-35, long-range reconnaissance aircraft R-6, R-7, flying boat MDR-2, heavy bombers TB-3, TB-4, TB-5, ANT-42 (Pe-8), as well as experimental aircraft - I-8 (ANT-13), BOK-15 and others.

On August 14, 1931, Gromov lifted into the sky a five-engine passenger aircraft ANT-14 (crew - 5 people, passengers - 36 people).

In the spring of 1932, during a test flight over the southern outskirts of Moscow on the TB-5 four-engined bomber, the left rear engine caught fire in the air.

Gromov shifted the plane to the right glide so that the fuselage would not catch fire. Almost at the same moment, the motor mount broke, the motor came off and hung on the remaining pipes, assemblies and wiring. Seeing this, one of the crew members jumped out with a parachute. However, the motor did not fall to the ground, but was stuck between the landing gear struts. Gromov, knowing that most of the crew members (there were 12 of them) did not have parachutes, did not leave the plane. He managed to bring down the flames and land the faulty car at the nearest airfield.

In the fall of 1933, he tested the record ANT-25 aircraft and made a long-distance non-stop flight Moscow - Sevastopol - Moscow - Sevastopol on it (2nd pilot - Filin A.I., navigator - Spirin I.T.).

After that, Gromov began to prepare for a record flight. He personally flew around the entire route in the U-2. In order to save fuel to achieve maximum range, a special flight schedule for altitude and speed was developed.

World record for the flight range of Gromov's crew

In the summer of 1934, Gromov's crew made several unsuccessful attempts to break the world record for curve flight range.

And finally, from 10 to 13.09.1934, on the ANT-25 aircraft, Gromov's crew made a long-distance non-stop flight Moscow - Ryazan - Kharkov - Dnepropetrovsk - Kharkov, covering 12411 km in 75 hours and 2 minutes. The flight took place in severe meteorological conditions. After landing, only 30 kg of gasoline remained in the tanks. But despite all the difficulties, the world record for the flight range was set!

On September 28, 1934, Colonel Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for the heroic deed and selfless work shown during the flight. After the establishment of the Gold Star medal as a sign of special distinction for the Heroes of the Soviet Union, Gromov was awarded medal No. 8.

Disease of Mikhail Gromov

On May 1, 1935, on the ANT-20 "Maxim Gorky" plane, Gromov headed the air parade over Red Square, although the night before, during a festive evening at the Art Theater, he felt bad - internal bleeding opened up. A few hours after the parade, he was taken to the hospital in serious condition. The bleeding was ulcerative. Perhaps this sudden illness saved his life.

On May 18, 1935, a terrible plane crash took place in the skies over Moscow in front of thousands of people. The I-5 escort fighter collided with the Maksim Gorky ANT-20 during an attempt to make a loop around its wing. 50 people were killed: a fighter pilot, 11 crew members and 38 passengers, employees of the TsAGI experimental plant and their families, incl. 7 children.

Only in the summer of 1936, after prolonged treatment, Gromov returned to duty.

Mikhail Gromov's new records

On September 15, 1936, Mikhail Gromov on an ANT-35 passenger aircraft, the tests of which he had just completed, with seven crew members and passengers made a non-stop flight and installed aviation speed record, having covered 1266 kilometers in 3 hours 38 minutes at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour.

In early November, on ANT-35, Gromov flew to Paris to participate in the 15th Paris Exhibition. Chkalov and his crew also took part in the exhibition. Having discussed the possibility of a transarctic flight, the pilots decided to turn to Stalin with a request to allow him to fly to America via the North Pole on two planes next year.

On May 21, 1937, Vodopyanov brought Papanin's expedition to the North Pole. The drifting station "SP-1" began work and began to regularly transmit weather reports.

06/11/1937, the Politburo decided “to approve ... to allow the flight to the crew as part of Comrade Vol. Gromova, Yumasheva, Danilin on the route Moscow - North Pole - S.Sh.A. simultaneously with the flight of the crew of com. Chkalov, Baidukov and Belyakov ".

18-20.06.37 Chkalov, Baidukov and Belyakov on ANT-25 made the first non-stop transarctic flight Moscow - North Pole - Vancouver (USA).

The crews of Gromov and Chkalov were preparing for the flight across the pole at the same time. However, by the decision of the government, Chkalov was to fly first. Moreover, the engine from Gromov's car, as a more reliable one, was transferred to Chkalov's ANT-25.

Gromov and his comrades were upset, but continued to prepare. They decided not to repeat, but to build on the success of the Chkalovsky crew and break the world record for straight flight range. After long calculations, they increased the fuel supply by half a ton.

To break the world record, Gromov's crew abandoned an inflatable boat (provided in case of an emergency landing in the ocean), a gun, warm clothes, food and other things, saving another 250 kg. They calculated that reducing the weight of the aircraft by one kilogram and increasing instead by one kilogram of fuel would increase the flight range by three kilometers. Fighting for every kilogram, they re-climbed the entire plane and bit off the ends of all the bolts protruding above the nuts with pliers. In addition, they decided to use the same brand of fuel, because the new one, on which Chkalov flew, did not allow the mixture to be leaned at high altitude and thus reduce the consumption of gasoline.

Prior to the plane's departure, the commission asked the Canadian Aviation Association to appoint a sports commissioner in Edmonton and the US National Aviation Association to designate sports commissioners to register an aircraft landing site in North America and to check seals on gasoline and oil tanks and barographs. The Central Aero Club received a response from the National Aviation Association informing that sports commissioners have already been appointed.

The Sports Commission of the Central Aero Club installed 3 barographs on the aircraft, which have a 4-day drum stroke and a 7-day winding mechanism. They had to show that the plane had no intermediate landings on the way. The barographs taken from the plane by American sports commissioners were then to be sent to Moscow, to the laboratory of the USSR Central Aero Club (Moscow Institute of Precision Industry).

From 12 to 14 July 1937, Gromov, together with Yumashev and Danilin, made a non-stop flight Moscow - North Pole - San Jacinto (USA) on ANT-25, having covered 10148 km in a straight line in 62 hours 17 minutes.

Was installed absolute record for straight flight range, and two records in class C (land aircraft) - flight in a straight and broken line. The entire crew, the first among domestic aviators, were awarded the highest award of the International Aviation Federation (FAI) for the best achievement in 1937 - the Henri de Laveau medal. Gromov was awarded the Order of Lenin, and Yumashev and Danilin were awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.

There were some troubles during the flight. Above Novaya Zemlya, a thermometer failed, showing the temperature of the water in the engine cooling system. Gromov had to navigate by the oil thermometer, because in training flights, he noticed and memorized the dependence of the temperature of oil and water in the engine.

Then the plane got into overcast clouds, and icing began. It was impossible to climb higher due to the congestion of the car. Gromov guided the plane according to instruments, opening the window of the cockpit that had lost its transparency, in order to observe the condition of the wing edge. Just before the North Pole, the cloud front was passed.

Over the mountains of Canada, icing began again, then the speed indicator and radio failed. I had to go down for a while to restore radio communication. Then we walked again at an altitude of 5000 meters.

Gromov had enough fuel to get to Panama, but he was not allowed to cross the Mexican border. The achievements of the Soviet aircraft industry had to be shown to the Americans. Therefore, I had to sit down without completely running out of fuel. Then the enterprising owner of the pasture, on which Gromov's crew landed, bottled this gasoline and sold it as souvenirs.

Gromov, Yumashev and Danilin spent a whole month in America, taking part in various ceremonies, including those received by US President Roosevelt. Then on the passenger liner "Normandy" sailed to Europe.

In 1937, the Higher Attestation Commission awarded Gromov the academic title of professor of technical operation of aircraft and motors.

In 1940, Gromov was awarded the title of 1st class test pilot.

In 1940-41. - Head of the Scientific and Technical Group of the People's Commissariat of the Aviation Industry.

Since March 1941, Gromov is the head of the Flight Research Institute of the People's Commissariat for Aviation Industry.

Mikhail Gromov during the Great Patriotic War

In August-December 1941 brigade commander Gromov was on a government mission to the United States on the acquisition of American strategic bombers Boeing B-17 "Flying fortress". Heroes of the Soviet Union Baidukov and Yumashev also took part in the trip.

On two flying boats, a group of specialists headed by Gromov flew from Moscow to Arkhangelsk, and then along the Northern Sea Route through Canada to the United States. However, the Americans, referring to secrecy, refused to sell the "flying fortresses", offering instead twin-engine B-25 bombers. Roosevelt's intervention did not help either. Having lost hope of getting what they wanted, Gromov's group came back empty-handed. First - by plane through Ireland to London, and then - on the British cruiser "Kenya" to Arkhangelsk.

Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov from December 1941 took part in Great Patriotic War- commanded the 31st Air Division of the Kalinin Front.

In mid-February 1942, brigade commander Gromov was appointed commander of the Kalinin Front's Air Force at a time when the situation at the front became noticeably more complicated. The removal of the airfield network in connection with the successful offensive of our troops, the activation of the enemy's air fleet, the counterattacks of his troops in one or another sector of the front required the improvement of aviation control, the concentration of its forces in decisive directions.

In February - March 1942, the troops of the 29th and 39th armies and the 11th cavalry corps of the Kalinin Front found themselves in a difficult situation. Being surrounded, they continued to fight in incredibly difficult conditions. Communication with them was lost. It was required to restore and provide assistance to the encircled troops who fought with the superior forces of the enemy. With the troops that were surrounded, it was necessary not only to restore contact, but also to provide them with everything necessary for life and battle.

For this purpose, 6 transport aviation regiments were allocated, armed with Li-2, TB-3, R-5, Po-2 aircraft and PS-84 transport aircraft.

In March, pilots of the Kalinin Front and the combined-arms armies made 6,978 sorties, conducted 203 air battles, shot down and destroyed 220 enemy aircraft at airfields.

May 1942 to May 1943 Major General of Aviation Gromov commanded the 3rd Air Army. Colonel Yumashev, Hero of the Soviet Union, was his deputy.

Since May 1943, Mikhail Gromov has been the commander of the 1st Air Army. The army under his command as part of the Western and 3rd Belorussian fronts took part in the Oryol, Spas-Demensk and Smolensk operations, struck at railway junctions in the Vitebsk and Orsha directions. An air regiment fought as part of the army " Normandy". The French government, noting the merits of Gromov on the front of the struggle against the German fascist invaders, awarded him Commander's Order of the Legion of Honor.

Since June 1944, Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov is the head of the Main Directorate of Combat Training of Frontline Aviation of the Air Force. He was instructed to take emergency measures to prevent plane crashes of American Air Cobra fighters. The pilots died in an inverted spin. Gromov gathered at the Air Force Research Institute the piloting technique inspectors of all air regiments equipped with "aircobras" and conducted a thorough briefing. The problem was solved.

Mikhail Gromov after the Great Patriotic War

In 1946-49, Gromov was deputy commander of Long-Range Aviation.
In 1949-54 - Head of the Flight Service Directorate of the Ministry of Aviation Industry, in 1954-55. - Head of the Flight Service Department of the Minaviaprom.
Since 1955 - in reserve.
In 1959-61. - Gromov was the chairman of the USSR Weightlifting Federation. In 1969 he was awarded the title of Honored Master of Sports of the USSR.

Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov died on January 22, 1985... Buried in Moscow, at the Novodevichy cemetery.

The Flight Research Institute in the city of Zhukovsky, Moscow region, on the territory of which his bust is installed, as well as a street in Moscow and a square in the city of Zhukovsky bear his name.

Gromov's awards

Hero of the Soviet Union (09/28/1934). He was awarded four Orders of Lenin, the Order of the October Revolution, four Orders of the Red Banner, Orders of Suvorov 2nd degree, Patriotic War 1st degree, three Orders of the Red Star, medals, and foreign awards.

Mikhail Mikhailovich Gromov's parting words to young aviators

In his article “ Young pilots» Gromov writes: “It is not necessary to look at the work of an aviator as easy and only interesting work. The work of a pilot is extremely difficult, it requires a person of great endurance and self-control, physical endurance, versatile development, excellent knowledge of aviation, geography, meteorology, mathematics (and not only average). Never on earth has a person had to carry out such intense and complex work as a pilot in the air. From the very beginning, the student must master the impeccable formulation of self-control. If a person is devoid of self-criticism, if he cannot analyze his movements, his behavior, he can never be a good pilot. No matter how much a person flies, he must always acquire a new one, not a single flight should be wasted. "