“No, there’s kerosene.”
– What’s the difference? Igor was sad.
“The smell is familiar,” he mumbled, unambiguously remembering his duty from childhood: follow a kerosene lamp and refuel it.
Mother lowered her head.
“I’m sorry, son,” her mother said. “A lot of that you do the house-work, I must do it, but, as you can see, I am ill and can not…
Do not apologize, Mom.” I am not talking about that.
– Well, if you want, go – I’m not going all my life on hiding you around the house, “my mother said and immediately burst on a new cough. Warm water did not help. Igor did not want to go against the mother’s decision, but also a happya turned-up event to learn how to fly a plane did not want to miss.
But the will of his mother was stronger: by family Council Igor went to Kharkov to the artillery academy named after Stalin. Have begun examinations, barracks life and drill step. New friends, among whom he found and like him, found themselves at the academy at will of parents.
– Thank God, there is one exam, – with a sigh, said Dima, a new acquaintance of Igor.
They were on the third floor of the building among the barracksfuss.
“I do not care,” said Igor. – I’ll do it- bad, I’ll not do it – it’s bad too.
Why is that so?”
“I do not want to be an artilleryman, even if I do.” If I do not do it, I do not want to upset my mother. I want to fly in airplanes, Dima. “He poked his head out the window and dreamily looked at the sky. – I want to soar among the clouds, I want to slideabove the treetops, I want to swim in the blue of the sky. You are one in the sky free like a bird…
“I want it too,” Dima echoed him, inspired by the hypnotictical attraction of words. – I also want to. – He, too, shoved his head out the window, and at that moment they heard the sound of a He began to grow, and friends simultaneously saw the plane that flashed in the rays of the sun, which flew straight to him. After a while, the plane disappeared over the roof of the building.and the buzz ceased. Friends with open mouths froze, looking at each other.
– O key. I decided for myself finally, – firmly stated Igor. – I’m fading from here not for long exploring his thoughts, Dima, too.stated:
– And I’m with you.
Two entrants from the third floor of the Academy sighed down, and then from the yard, not even thinking about the consequences.
Igor entered the Kursk Aeroclub DOSAAF, his first flight took place in April 1954 when serviced in Bakinsky Air Defense District, but he wanted more. He accidentally recognized about the existence of the School of Test Pilots an he went to Moscow. He received a note with home address of Valentina Grizodubova, head of the Research Institute of instrument-making which was engaged in the selection of young pilots forest work: Leningradsky prospect, house 44. He was met by mother of Grizodubova, an elderly woman. She fed him, gave tea, and only then asked: “Why did you come?”. Grizodubova came home and was surprised by the visit of stranger, she, having learned that he was only 21 years old said that it had been still early for the test work. But, according to the
the procession of several years, on February 23, 1963, she together with Marshal Savitsky persuaded the Commander of the troops to demobilize Igor from military service. Like thishe got into the LII. Grizodubova said that she feels in Igor the new Chkalov.
In the flight control building were heard only a microphone-mechanical commands for takeoff and landing. Ametkhan was taking to Garnaev, sharing his impressions of the holiday, but his gaze was subconsciously chained to the runway-where the bomber masterly landed-incomprehensible landing.
“Who is this?” Ametkhan asked Garnaev. – Beautifully sat down.
Garnaev turned and saw the IL-6 and said:
– This is a newcomer who hopes very much. But he did not fit the team.
– Why? Asked Ametkhan.
– I do not know, I’m also interested. Now he will look here andhe will ask these words, – he scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to a friend.
“Comrade Major, are there any free flights?”
Ametkhan opened a sheet of paper, looked at Garnaev, stretched out thin lips, lifting up the arcuate eyebrows, and smiled. Igor, feeling that he was in a mess, blushed: before him were sitting Legends of Soviet aviation. He looked away on Ametkhan.
– Did not recognize? Asked Garnaev.
“Amethan?” Igor blurted out with admiration. He did two steps and with a hand greeted the pilot, who in the World war shot down 49 enemy aircrafts.Twice Hero of the Soviet Union. Legend. – I’m very happy to meet you.
“Me too,” said Ametkhan. – Sit down for tea – to fly more you will have time. Has plunged into work?
– Yes, already dunked.
Laugh.
– And yet, for what do you dislike in the team? – with irony asked Garnaev.
Igor laughed.
– I dont know. – And it does not hurt you?
– No.
– Igor, do you like Igor Wolf? – asked Garnaev.
“No,” Igor answered, shaking his head. – I’m always flying in some stories. I always want something more. I have not ike the others, Yuri Alexandrovich.
Garnaev laughed and put his heavy hand on the shoulder of Igor.
“With all the tricks, I quickly mastered all the planes, which we have. The planner of flights is the first thing that I can see if there are free flights. For this work there are few people. Some pilots fall asleep and to the boots attach a note: “Less than 1000 rubbley for the flight does not wake! “And I take these free flights on me. What is necessary on the flight sheet I carry out then I practice what I missed. Through some time my boss begins to be interested in this: “What is this? Something is suspicious! Something here is not so. To forbid!”.
But there were many such flights, when comrades argued that this can not be done. And I believe that it is possible – I wait, when they either drink, or a cold will seize, and at this moment have time to do what they said that it was impossible.
– Can you give an example? Asked Ametkhan.
“As much as you like,” Igor said. – During the test of the bomber i had to fly near to it with a cameraman and shoot with close distance. In one place and on the plating of the airplane appeared vibrations. It was necessary to fix, in what direction they have the tend to flow. Nine flights were unsuccessful, but I did it in the first flight. Or, for example, said that the supersonic refuel in air is impossible. The refueling cone was dragged behind the Su-7,and for the tanker’s simulator made the most unfortunate choice- Su-15, which has excess thrust on this mode minismall. If you approach the cone slowly, then, of course, it was impossible. It was necessary to be very precise, practical instantly approach the cone. I did it. And what you think did they love me for this?
“You’re doing fine, Igor,” Ametkhan said admiringly. “I’ll always be on your side.” Continue to be angry with the negligent. The sky loves the brave and hardworking. If you have any questions, come close, i will help. – Igor saw the black expressive eyes, straight nose and strong-willed chin with a dimple in the middle and thought he was not alone in a largeteam of testers in the struggle for sky – he wanted in flights to be like him: cold-blooded, cocky and risky. “And remember,”