New Book „First Soviet Passenger Planes“ by Konstantin Gennadievich Udalov

[athpilot]

КОНСТАНТИН ГЕННАДЬЕВИЧ УДАЛОВ, Первый советский пассажирский, Авико Пресс, Moscow 2026, УДК. 82-94: 629. 7., ББК 39.5г, ISBN 978-5-4465-3169-1 [204 pp.]

KONSTANTIN GENNADIEVICH UDALOV, First Soviet Passenger Planes (Avico Press, Moscow 2026)

I had the great joy to read the latest book (january 2026) by the well-known author Konstantin Udalov. This book is about Vladimir Leontievich Alexandrov (1894–1962) and his contibution tot he first passenger planes. He was one of Nikolai Yegorovich Zhukovsky's closest students at Moscow University, Honoured Scientist and Engineer and Doctor of Technical Sciences. He was also one of the first organisers of TsAGI (ЦАГИ). To whose life and work this book is dedicated. Alexandrov was indeed a key figure in the early Czarist and soviet aviation, although he is maybe forgotten in the West. He was/held: Long-term leadership in scientific research at TsAGI – in the general theory and propeller engine departments, in the field testing department and in the aircraft structural strength department; later – work in Andrei Nikolayevich Tupolev's design department in Moscow, Omsk, Kazan, work at the Flight Research Institute (LII) – closely linked V. L. Aleksandrov with the teams at TsAGI, A. N. Tupolev's Design Bureau, and the Flight Research Institute, as well as with the aviation industry.

In 1919–1922, he participated in the construction of the Komta triplane, and in 1922–1924, together with V. V. Kalinin, he designed and built one of the first Soviet passenger aircraft, the AK 1. The aircraft flew on the Moscow–Nizhny Novgorod route (1924) and participated in a group flight from Moscow to Mongolia to Beijing (1925). This is a central part of this book.

The book starts with detailed biography of Alexandrov together with (some here published fort he first time) documents, (colourized) photographs and other sources (pp. 4-18). The following cahpters are dedicated to the young Alexandrov, who was interested in aviation and became deeply involved into it over time (pp. 19-50). The next chapter is about the construction and design of the AK-1 plane (pp. 50-70). Here are some truly remarkable photographs from the building of this aircraft. Drawings and photos let this aircraft come alive agian. The next two chapters are about the flights Moscow-Kazan, Moscow-Mongolia-China and to Beijing (pp. 70-120). Then ist he chapter about Alexandrovs memories of the war (pp. 120-130).

It is about the context of the beginning of World War I and how families and networks all over europe were affected by the war. So wa s the young Alexandrov (and his family, relatives ang collaegues). It is a very personal cahpter which adds up perfectly to the technical history (pp. 120-130). When the war was over the young Alexandrov went to the USA (pp. 130-152). From 1936 to 1938, Vladimir Leonidovich Alexandrov headed the propeller motor department at TsAGI. In 1936, he was sent by the Main Directorate of the Aviation Industry to the United States for six months to purchase equipment for propeller factories. Fortunately, Alexandrov kept a fairly detailed diary, and although it has not been preserved in its entirety, his accounts show that Vladimir Leonidovich possessed not only design skills but also literary talent, which can be seen in this chapter. Next chapter is about the conversations between Alexander A. Bek (1902-1972) and Alexandrov which lastet over decades and showed a fruitful exchange between the two men including other leading russian Aerodynamicists and aeronautical engineers (pp. 152-176).

The book is concluded by a technical description of the AK-1 plane, a bibliography about the works of Alexandrov, Awards and Honours and the big exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the flight of the AK-1 in 2024 (pp. 176-188). Finally there some pages filled with original personal documents of Alexandrov and some collactables (pp. 189-200).

For aviation enthusiasts, for model builders, for those interested in the history of the russian and Soviet aviation industry, this book is indispensable. It also contains great material and wonderful art (by Marek Rys and others). If you are interest in it please PM Gabriel Orosco (here on the forum).

 

[igor-mich]

Konstantin Udalov's new book "The First Soviet Passenger" has been published.

This book is about the AK-1 aircraft, designed by V. L. Alexandrov and V. V. Kalinin.

This book is also about the creative path of one of the closest students of Nikolai Egorovich Zhukovsky at Moscow University, Honored Worker of Science and Technology, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Vladimir Leontievich Alexandrov.

In a sense, this is a biographical narrative about V. L. Alexandrov. The book contains materials from Alexandrov's personal archive, in particular, a biography compiled by Alexandrov himself. Memories of his older sister, a transcript of a conversation with a journalist.

The book is full of previously unpublished information with a lot of photographic materials. It is especially interesting to get acquainted with the beginning of Alexandrov's interest in aviation from the age of 15. This is the construction of flying models that were presented at the 1909 exhibition in Moscow.

An attempt was made to build a Prometheus aircraft in 1911.

Participation in the construction of the experimental triplane KOMTA – (Heavy Aviation Commission).

And in 1922, the construction of the AK-1 Latvian Shooter aircraft began.

The book describes in detail a group flight in the summer of 1925 on the route Moscow–Mongolia–China. The firstborn of the Soviet passenger aircraft AK-1 Latvian Shooter was also appointed as an escort for the flight.

Alexandrov's diary about a business trip to America is also interesting.

As always, Udalov's books combine exclusivity of information and artistic design. The drawings by the artist Marek Lynx are magnificent

I recommend it to anyone who is interested in Russian aviation.