Soviet Soviet & Eastern Block Quiz

[Christophe]

I fully agree!!!

And, as usual, a lot of efforts deployed...

Ch.

[Christian Zulus]

Dear Christophe,

dear Ed,

many thanks for the congratulations to my victory #27 .

Well, my final "combination" had been: Which institution has directly to do with Zhukovsky?

O.K., I will wait with the posting of a new (not sooooo difficult) question till Christophe has posted the comprehensive answer to his question .

Best regards

Christian

[Christophe]

Will do it tomorrow, asap. Thanks to be... patient.

Cheers.

Ch.

[Ed_Haynes]

Will do it tomorrow, asap. Thanks to be... patient.

Cheers.

Ch.

No worries, we have been patient for this question to be vanquished! The full answer can wait a bit more.

[Christian Zulus]

Will do it tomorrow, asap. Thanks to be... patient.

Dear Christophe,

today is already the 1st of september and I am eager to post the new question #141 .

Best regards

Christian

[Christophe]

OK, OK sorry for the delay...

Here are the answers :

1. What organisation are these Orders belonging to ?

They belong to the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) (Централный Аерогидродинамический Институт, ЦАГИ).

This place is a fantastic one I have visited several times. All is fascinating about this place : plant and facilities, wind tunnels, simulators, people. There is an outstanding museum where the orders (except the Order of the Red Banner of Labour) awarded to TsAGi are displayed with their documents.

To present it briefly, with informations from the TsAGI website and brochures :

TsAGI was founded on 1st December 1918 in Moscow under the initiative and leadership of N.E. Zhukovsky, the father of Russian Aviation. Its development owes also a lot to his colleagues A.N. Tupolev and S.A. Chaplygin.

It is located close to Moscow, in a town called now called Zhukovsky.

Today?s TsAGI claims to be the largest scientific research center in the world. Under a Russian Federation Government Decree dated 29 March 1994, TsAGI was designated a State Research Center.

It was the first scientific institution to combine basic studies, applied research, structural design, pilot production and testing. During its distinguished history TsAGI has developed new aerodynamic configurations, aircraft stability/controllability criteria, and strength requirements. TsAGI was a pioneer in the theory of flutter along with many other theories, applications and experimental studies.

During the last two decades TsAGI has achieved significant advances in Aerodynamics, Flight dynamics and Flight control systems, as well as improving static material strength, service life and reliability of civil airplanes. Our methods for structural analyses and optimization make it possible to reliably design new-generation aircraft so as to ensure a 50,000- to 60, 000-hour service life.

These results were applied while developing the Tu-204 (by General Designer A. A. Tupolev) and the Il-96?300 (by General Designer G. V. Novozhilov).

In the 1980s the TsAGI?s scientists worked on improving the maneuverability of modern fighters. Solutions were obtained for many problems concerning the aircraft control when flow separation conditions took place at high incidences.

This is demonstrated in the maneuverability of the MiG-29 (by General Designer R. A. Belyakov) and the Su-27 (by General Designer M. P. Simonov) and has been verified through performance of the ?Pugachev Cobra? maneuver.

While developing the ?Energia? launcher and the ?Buran? reusable aerospaceplane, TsAGI made significant investigations into aerogasdynamics and flight dynamics, assessing structural strength for velocities from orbital to landing.

These new designs met challenges of hypersonic flight physics, new control systems for a wide range of velocities, while mathematically modeling numerous processes and studying a wide range of motion on flight simulators.

Ch.

The statue of Nikolai Zhukovsky, at the entrance of TsAGI.

Pic : TsAGI brochure.

[Christophe]

In the 1920?s and 30?s, TsAGI?s projects ranged from prototype airplanes to aero-sleds and from torpedo boats to wind-generated electricity. Gradually, the main direction of TsAGI evolved and centered upon aerodynamic research.

The Institute built its first large wind tunnel in 1925. In 1935 new departments of TsAGI relocated to the outskirts of Moscow to what later became the town of Zhukovsky: ?The Aero-city of the Soviet Union?.

The first two wind tunnels were completed in 1937 and by 1939 TsAGI became the proud owner of the largest wind tunnel in the world!

This wind tunnel provided the opportunity to study the behavior of full-scale aircrafts. In the following years, TsAGI became the founders of leading aerospace research institutions and design centers, such as the Institute of Aerospace Materials, the Institute of Avia Motors, the Tupolev Design Bureau and the Flight Research Institute.

During the war years, TsAGI?s resources were directed toward military aircraft applications. In 1943, TsAGI introduced a new transonic wind tunnel capable of using variable and constant density testing agents.

TsAGI developed new concepts of wing profiles, wing components and composition, plane stability criteria, strength standards, and flutter theory.

The post-war period was characterized by research on near- and post-sonic speeds. Since the 1950s, TsAGI has been involved in all areas of fundamental research in aerodynamics, flight dynamics, flight stability, and strength.

Today TsAGI understands that aerospace technology and the prospects for aircraft development are directly related to research in the area of super high flight speeds. The theory of mechanics in this direction has called significant attention to TsAGI.

The latest example of this type of research is the development of the orbital spacecraft ?Buran?. Extensive achievements have been attained also in the areas of civil aviation. For example, TsAGI?s modernization efforts have increased the maximum flight distance of the Tu-154 by 500 miles and simultaneously increased passenger capacity by 16 people. Fuel consumption also has been reduced by 20% per passenger.

At present, TsAGI participates in several joint research programs on the development of next-generation aircraft. Some of its most significant recent accomplishments are in the areas of structural strength, finite element method analysis, and optimization of structural weight. The next generation of TsAGI aircraft is conceptualized to have a life of 50,000 ? 60,000 flight hours.

Results of these developments have been used in the construction of the new IL-96?300 and Tu-204. This new generation of aircraft has nearly doubled the efficiency and flight characteristics of the most recent airplanes.

Some other recent developments include the Su-27, MiG-29, and MiG-31 fighters, as well as, the An-124/An-225 cargo planes and the Buran orbiter.

TsAGI is also actively involved in the development of the future Sukhoi regional jet, the Superjet 100.

TsAGI today employs 4,500 persons, including 695 researchers.

Ch.

The Subsonic Wind Tunnel T-101. Length: 24m. Elliptical nozzle: 14 x 24m

Civil and military airplanes of many types have been tested here, including tests of 1/3 scale models, models of aerospace vehicles and transportation systems, re-entry space vehicle models and others.

Pic : TsAGI brochure.

[Christophe]

1. What organisation are these Orders belonging to ?

They belong to the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) (Централный Аерогидродинамический Институт, ЦАГИ).

2. What is its mission ? Where is it located (exact location)?

TsAGI is State Research Center in aerospace domains, as expalined in my previous posts.

It is located in Zhukovsky, near Moscow.

3. What is the SN and awarding date of its Order of Red Banner of Labour of the RSFSR ? And for which reason ?

TsAGI's Order of the Red Banner of Labour of the RSFSR has been awarded on 29 April 1926. It is the 89th one awarded.

I have the exact SN somewhere, but can't put my hand on it currently...

It has been awarded for two achievements :

* The completion in 1925 of the "Aircraft Strength Standards" that played a great role in the development of aviation, and

* The building of its first large wind tunnel also in 1925.

Bonus : what are the dates of awarding of its other Orders ?

Order of the Red Banner of Labour - 1926

Order of the Red Banner - 1933

Order of Lenin - 1945

Order of October Revolution - 1971

and also a Certificate of the Supreme Council of the RSFSR in 1968.

In 1998, TsAGI was awarded the Honorary Mention by the President of the Russian Federation.

Ch.

The orders of TsAGI proudly displayed at the entrance of the site.

Pic : ? Christophe ? ChR Collection

[Christophe]

And how they are (wrongly) displayed in TsAGI's brochure...

TsAGi has been awarded only one Red Banner.

Ch.

Pic : TsAGI brochure.

[Christophe]

On hint : Gagarin at TsAGI...

Ch.

[Christophe]

Christian, again congratulations !!!

Your turn, now...

Ch.

[Christophe]

22 months already !!!!

A few stats :

This small game has now been launched more than 22 months ago now (on 1 Nov. 2005), and since :

* 140 questions asked,

* with 1,686 answers,

* This quiz has been viewed more than 18,000 times.

* 35 Members of the Forum played, and 26 correctly answered at least 1 question :

Nb of good answers :

* 27 : Christian (Zulus)

* 25 : Christophe

* 11 : Bryan (Soviet)

* 8 : Franck (Knarf) and Simon (Red Threat)

* 6 : Auke (Ferdinand), Belaruski and Jim (JimZ)

* 5 : Carol I and Ed (Haynes).

* 4 : Wild Card.

* 3 : Andreas (Alfred), Ivan (Piramida) and Kim (Kimj).

* 2 : Chuck (in Oregon), Gerd (Becker), Jan (vatjan) and Order of Victory.

* 1 : Dan (Hauptman), Darrell, Daredevil, Dave (Navy FCO), Dudeman, Filip (Drugo), Rick (Stogieman) and Steen (Ammentorp).

This is a great achievement. Thanks to all for your participation.

Now, let's continue to have fun with the 141st question... Christian's!!!

[Christophe]

Another interesting stat...

Since Christian joined the Quiz in November 2006, he had the opportunity to ask 24 questions. From these, I answered 7 only (which is not bad actually ).

But, during the same period, I asked 18 questions. Christian answered correctly to 13 of them!!!

Christian, impressive results. That means I need to strengthen the level of my questions....

Your turn, now.

Cheers.

Ch.

[Ed_Haynes]

Thanks for the full answer, very educational. One think I really like about about this quiz is that I am constantly learning things! Even things I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN.

[Christophe]

Thanks Ed,

That's one of the purposes of such a quiz : learning while relaxing, the spicy touch of challenge... and open our minds to domains we may not know well.

BTW, I'm really surprised there are things you still don't know...

Cheers.

Ch.

[Christian Zulus]

Christian, again congratulations !!!

Your turn, now...

Ch.

Dear Christophe,

many thanks for your congratulations .

Well, my coming question #141 will stick to very old RSFSR-awards .

Best regards

Christian

[Christian Zulus]

QUESTION #141

Gentlemen,

let's stay in the very early years of communist Russia and in the period of comrade Lenin's active leadership .

We all know the RSFSR-"Order of the Red Banner", as Igor offers some of them at his website: http://www.collectrussia.com/showcat.htm?cat=Rep%20Order , as a typical combat award of the early years of communism in Russia (a hint: the question deals only with Russia and not with any other of the socialist republics!).

Question:

Besides the RSFSR-RB there had been a range of other combat awards in the very early years of communist Russia. List at least 6 (six) other combat awards, which had been confered frequently in Lenin's era.

The winner is, who is the first with listing six of these awards .

Happy hunting .

Best regards

Christian

[Christophe]

Hi Christian,

A nice one.

Could I propose (talking only about Russia) :

* Badge of the Volhynia Life Guards Regiment - 1917

* Badge "To Honest Soldier of the Karelian Front - 1921-1922

* Badge "For Excellent Sabring"

* Badge "To hero of the January 1918 Events"

* Honorary Revolutionary Red Banner - Collective award

* Honorary Revolutionary Weapon - Saber

* honorary Revolutionary Firearm

and I don't include subsequent awards "2", "3"... of the Order of the Red Banner of the RSFSR.

Am I close ?

Cheers.

Ch.

Edited September 2, 2007 by Christophe

[Christophe]

I could also have added some other badges (that seems related to combat) :

* Badge to Red Guardsman and Red Partisan.

* 1918 Revolutionary Bolshevik Red Guards Cavalry Badge

* RKKA Fighter Pilot 1923 Aircraft Aviation Badge

Ch.

[Christian Zulus]

Dear Christophe,

congratulations to your victory #26 .

Your answer was more than sufficient - there had been also pairs of red trousers, cigarette cases, etc. .

Question #142 is your turn

Best regards

Christian

[Christophe]

Thanks Christian.

Here is question #142

Question #142

Which ribbon is this ?

To which medal does it correspond ? Date ?

Good hunt and good luck.

Cheers.

Ch.

Edited September 2, 2007 by Christophe

[JimZ]

Thanks Christian.

Here is question #142

Question #142

Which ribbon is this ?

To which medal does it correspond ? Date ?

Good hunt and good luck.

Cheers.

Ch.

5 sided suspension of the trial variation of the 800 Year anniversary of Moscow coined/struck in 1946 showing Yuri Dolgoruki on horseback (obverse) with Kremlin on reverse. However this was replaced by the official 800 year anniversary medal we all know with the close up relief potrait of Yuri Dolgoruki on the obverse and an almost identical reverse. The official medal would be coined/struck in 1947.

You would not have this in your collection hein?

Regards,

Jim

[Christophe]

Hi Jim,

Your answer is more than perfect. Nothing to add...

Congratulations!!!

And here is the medal...

Your turn, now .

Cheers.

Ch.

Pic : Avers n?6 (not in my collection... unfortunately...)

[Christian Zulus]

Dear Jim,

congratulations to your victory #7

I didn't had the slightest glue about the answer .

Best regards

Christian

[JimZ]

I was fascinated by the ribbon when I first saw at as I believe this is the only soviet russian ribbon of its sort with a design as opposed to being clean red or striped. Perhaps the departure from stripes would have been too radical. But nevertheless, in what turns out to be a hotch potch of ribbon suspensions, screwbacks, and medal sizes, it would have made for yet another interesting glitch!

I'll try to post a question over the next day or so!

Regards

Jim

Edited September 2, 2007 by JimZ