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Aleksandr KalinaTest pilot, Hero of the Soviet Union
Date of Birth: 16.03.1911
Country:  Ukraine |
Content:
Alexander Kalina - Biography
Alexander Danilovich Kalina was a Soviet test pilot and a Hero of the Soviet Union. He was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, along with the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal, on August 21, 1964, for his courage and heroism demonstrated during the testing of new aviation technologies.
Early Life and Career
Alexander Danilovich Kalina was born on March 16, 1911, in the city of Apostolovo, now located in the Dnepropetrovsk Oblast of Ukraine. After completing his education at the FZO School, he worked at a metallurgical plant. In 1930, he studied at the Dneprodzerzhinsk Metallurgical Institute and joined the Soviet Army in 1931. He graduated from the Volsk Military-Technical Aviation School in 1932 and became a flight mechanic at the Scientific Test Institute of the Air Force. During this time, he participated in test flights on heavy aircraft.
After being placed in reserve in 1935, Kalina worked as a flight mechanic at the Special Design Bureau of the Defense Department's Invention Division. In 1937, he graduated from the Tambov Aviation School of Pilots and joined the Moscow Management of the Air Force as a pilot. He took part in the transportation of goods and weapons to the combat zone during the battles on the Khalkhin Gol River in September-October 1939, as well as during the Soviet-Finnish War from January to March 1940.
World War II and Later Career
With the outbreak of World War II, Kalina returned to active duty in the military. From June 1941 to December 1942, he served as a pilot and commander of an aviation squadron in the 1st Aviation Transport Division of the Air Force. From January 1943 onwards, he became the deputy commander of the 3rd Separate Aviation Division of the Signal Air Force. Throughout the war, he completed approximately 250 combat missions behind enemy lines, delivering paratroopers, ammunition, and other supplies to partisans, as well as transporting weapons and ammunition to the front lines.
After the war, Kalina entered the reserve in 1946 and worked as a test pilot for the Scientific Research Institute of the Air Force from 1947 to 1948. He conducted tests on passenger aircraft during this time. From 1948 to 1955, he worked as a test pilot at Aviation Plant No. 30 (now Moscow Aviation Production Association), testing serial aircraft such as the Il-12, Il-28, and their modifications.
From 1955 to 1965, Kalina served as a test pilot at the A.N. Tupolev Design Bureau. He conducted test flights and evaluations of passenger aircraft, including the Tu-124 and Tu-134. He also participated in the testing of the Tu-22, Tu-104, and other aircraft models.
Later Life and Legacy
Alexander Danilovich Kalina was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on August 21, 1964, for his bravery and heroism demonstrated during the testing of new aviation technologies. He lived in Moscow and worked as a flight safety engineer at the A.N. Tupolev Design Bureau. He passed away on March 16, 1988, and was buried at the Vagankovo Cemetery in Moscow.
Kalina received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Order of Lenin, three Orders of the Red Banner, two Orders of the Patriotic War 1st Class, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, three Orders of the Red Star, the Order of the Badge of Honor, and various medals. He was also recognized as an Honored Test Pilot of the USSR and held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
