Summary: Air pageant attended by Stalin suggests readiness of Soviet Union to defend herself against air attack and ability to counterattack with bombers and paratroops.
Description: Five pilots disperse to their Polikarpov I-17s and fly fighters inverted above crowds in summer dress. Aircraft level out and pair flies mirror. Four glider pilots including one woman wait in cockpits before nine gliders are towed off simultaneously. Stalin watches from airport building balcony with distinguished guests including head of NKVD Lavrentii Beriia, Nikolai Polikarpov (in white uniform and cap, without dark glasses), and other spectators watch from ground. Gliders spiral earthwards. Pilot of Polikarpov I-16 performs aerobatics including loop-the-loop. Commentary points out Latvian and Lithuanian delegation officers in front of row of spectators. I-16 pilots, "gallant aces of the USSR, victors of Khalkin-Gol" (against Japan, 1939), are identified as Major Yatky, Nikolaev, Krasinkov, Viktorov and Antonov before climbing into planes, taking off and performing aerobatics. Air raid siren heralds approach of three Tupolev SB-2s intercepted by I-15s taking off and Soviet flak. SB-2 trails smoke. Long wave of SB-2s bombs bridge. Paratroops climb into Tupolev TB-3s, before take-off. In-flight views and shots of pilot in open cockpit before paratroops drop over outskirts of large town, some using double parachutes. Tupolev ANT-20bis prototype taxies and is filmed in flight, with view of pilot. Famous Soviet Air force song "The March of the Aviators" on track. End title.
Personalities, Units and Organisations: Antonov (person)
Krasinkov (person)
Nikolaev (person)
Polikarpov, Nikolai (person)
Stalin, Josef (person)
Viktorov (person)
Yatky (Major) (person)
Soviet Air Force (regiment/service)
Red Army, paratroops (regiment/service)
