How it was 08/15/1998 (1998)

Fragment of the feature film "Valery Chkalov" (1941).

December 15, 1938 at 12 hours 58 minutes during the test flight of the new fighter Valery Chkalov was killed.

Oleg Shklovsky read out the resolution of the commission investigating the death of the pilot.

Igor Chkalov shares memories of the day when his father was gone.

Arkady Chapayev told about the death of his family.

On the same day, a version was announced of the premeditated murder of the pilot.

Igor Chkalov talks about the first meeting between Chkalov and Stalin, held at the central airfield.

Frunze (Khodynka Field), after the demonstration of the head of the Soviet state aircraft in 1935.

Video chronicle:

Tushino on May 2, 1935.

"Voroshilov represents Stalin and the members of the government of commanders of air units and outstanding pilots."

Valery Chkalov greeted Joseph Stalin.

Airfield.

Aircraft in the sky: group flight; execution of various aerobatics figures.

December 15, 1938, Yevgeny Ginzburg was at the airfield.

Frunze, carrying out several sorties, together with test pilot Stepan Suprun.

Yevgeny Ginzburg tells how, on December 10, while inspecting the IL-180, he discovered the absence of a left gasoline pump, and therefore banned flights on the fighter.

According to him, Chkalov landed a plane with a stalled engine, when landing, the aircraft car collided with working hangars and the pilot hit hard, losing a lot of blood.

Chkalov could still be saved, but for a long time they did not approach the plane, for fear of an explosion.

According to Ginzburg, two commissions were set up: one to clarify the technical reasons (led by Alexeyev), the second - the political one, which included representatives of the Kremlin (headed by Merkulov).

Eugene Ginzburg expresses a lack of understanding why the representatives of the manufacturer did not allow to inspect the engine.

Eugene Ginzburg mentions the death of the leading designer Lazarev, dropped from the train, a few days after the incident.

Valeria Chkalova talks about the search for documents held in the state archives.

He quotes several letters signed by Beria, whose content, in her opinion, can be regarded as evidence of a fatal plane crash that led to the death of her father.

Video chronicle (1938):

Funeral of Valery Chkalov.

People learn from the newspapers about the death of the pilot.

The farewell ceremony in Moscow.

People pass through the hall.

Coffin with the body of Valery Chkalov.

At the ceremony there are: Joseph Stalin, Vyacheslav Molotov, Mikhail Kalinin.

The funeral procession is moving along Red Square.

Igor Chkalov talks about Stalin's proposal to go to Chkalov for party work.

In 1937, when Valery Chkalov ran for election to the Supreme Soviet, seven attempts were made against him.

According to Igor Chkalov, his father had a great, and, most importantly, positive influence on Joseph Stalin.

Video chronicle:

Fragment of the documentary film "Soviet Motherland Sons."

Meeting Valery Chkalov at the station in Moscow.

Solemn drive through the city.

Olga Chkalova, speaks about the great popularity of the father, and about jealousy of this popularity in certain circles.

Describes that her father recently slept with a revolver under a pillow.

Igor Chkalov points out the fact that some people involved in one way or another in the investigation into the death of Valery Chkalov either disappeared, or were killed or planted, and when they went free they were also killed.

In particular, he points to the fact that his father could safely land the aircraft, if he had removed the chassis, but, the chassis, turned out to be fixed.

This is confirmed by Eugene Ginsburg.