![]() While in the Stalingrad area, an order was received citing the return of the women aircrew to the 586th. Initially the two females had they had flown together but then more often flew separately as wingmen to other pilots. and in her flightsuit hardly stood out from the fellows." He characterized Budanova as a "cheerful, lively character" while Litvyak looked "thoughtful and quiet". That Budanova "was tall, kept her hair cut short. One of them was Vladimir Dmetrievich Lavrinenkov, who ended the war with 46 victories (11 shared). This regiment consisted either of aces or potential aces. įrom October until January 1943 Budanova (and Litvyak) served in the Stalingrad area with the elite 9th Guards Fighter Regiment, commanded by Lev Shestakov, Hero of Soviet Union. However, Budanova's aircraft mechanic, Inna Pasportnikova wrote that she shot down her first aircraft on 6 October when she attacked 13 Ju 88 bombers, downing one. Polunina on 2 October 1942 Budanova achieved her two first solo air victories, shooting down a Junkers Ju 88 and a Bf 109. According to regiment archivist Ekaterina K. Lydia Litvyak, close friend of Budanova, and fellow "ace" pilotĪccording to some historians, she shot down her first opponent - a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter - on 14 September 1942, combining forces with Lydia Litvyak. ![]() Restored Messerschmitt Bf 109G: The first plane shot down by Katya Budanova was, reportedly, an aircraft of this type File:Lydia Litvyak.JPG But in a short time Budanova became known for her aggressive attacking and high piloting skill. The 437th was a LaGG-3 regiment, under Major Khvostikov, who was initially skeptical of the ability of women pilots. Kuznetsova and Raisa Beliaeva to the 437th IAP, based in Verkhnania Akhtuba on the east bank of the Volga river. On 10 September she was assigned with Lydia Litvyak, Maria M. Seeing the skill of these women, the Soviet High Command began dispersing selected female pilots to existing male units. In May 1942 the 586th IAP redeployed to Anisovka where it was assigned to the 144th IAD (Air Defence) covering the railway installations near Saratov, and it was here Budanova flew her first combat missions. As the Battle of Stalingrad raged the supply of replacement male pilots was drying up and thus the 586th (under Major Tamara Kazarinova) saw combat action in the spring 1942. These units were originally made up women who were flight instructors or members of pre-war flying clubs. The 500 designations were originally meant to signify defense reserves. Initially all women pilots were placed into three all-women units the 586th IAP, the 587th BAP and the 588th NBAP. This unit consisted entirely of female pilots and was equipped with Yak-1. Yakovlev UT-1: Katya Budanova flew this type of aircraft in several air parades over Moscow before the Great Patriotic War World War IIĪfter the German attack on the USSR in June 1941, she enlisted in military aviation and was assigned to the 586th Fighter Regiment (586 IAP), formed by Marina Raskova. ![]() She took part in several air parades, flying the single-seater Yakovlev UT-1. ![]() It was there that she began an interest in aviation, and she joined an aeroclub's parachutist section, obtaining her flying licence in 1934 and graduating to flight instructor in 1937. Īt the age of thirteen her mother sent her to join her sister in Moscow, where she began working as a carpenter in an aircraft factory. After leaving elementary school with the highest grades, she had to abandon her studies due to her father's death, and began working as a nanny. 4 Controversies about number of victoriesīudanova was born into a peasant family in Konoplanka village in Smolensk Oblast.
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