Description
Soviet Order of the Patriotic War 2nd class #428074
Awarded to Master Sergeant Mikhail Ivanovich Antipov (Михаил Иванович Антипов)
For contributing with technical innovations of the Soviet Air Forces such as adjustments to the Yak-9, C-37, La-5 and P-40E
Made of solid silver, gold and enamels. The order weighs 25.5 grams without its screwplate and measures 46.26 mm in width and 48.63 mm in height.
In excellent, well above average condition with its details crisp. The red and white enamels are very well preserved and show virtually no dings and scratches. The gold hammer and sickle is original and firmly attached and the order comes with its time period and well fitted screwplate. There have been no repairs and its screw has not been shortned.
Brief, concrete description of his feat of arms or accomplishments:
Having served with the Technical Department of the 1st Red Banner Aircraft Repair Depot since May 8, 1942, Master Sergeant M.I. Ivanov constantly carried out important engineering duties pertaining to the completion of repairs to combat aircraft and the conduct of research and development, even though he does not hold an officer’s rank. He worked under siege conditions and under artillery shelling and aerial bombardment, ignored the mortal danger and his personal health and worked with utter disregard for the time of day and the working conditions. Owing to his extensive engineering experience and his exceptionally conscientious attitude toward his duties, a large number of pilot projects, in which comrade Antipov was actively involved, passed the tests at the Air Force’s Scientific Research Institute and have now been adopted by the Red Army Air Forces.
For developing the first prototypes of automatically swiveling photo cameras he was awarded the Medal for Combat Merit.
In addition, the most significant achievements by comrade Antipov are the following:
- Design studies and enhancement of a considerable number of automatically swiveling photo cameras, now adopted by the Red Army Air Forces;
- Active involvement in the design studies for the conversion of the Yak-9 aircraft into a two-seater, which has now been adopted by the Red Army Air Forces;
- Highly proactive involvement in the design studies for the reconfiguration of C-37 aircraft for Colonel General Zhdanov and Marshal Govorov and the P-40E aircraft for aerial photography;
- Design studies for special equipment during the conversion of the La-5 aircraft into a two-seater with dual controls, the P-40E into a two-seater with dual controls, and the P-40 and P-40E when they were fitted with M105 engines in lieu of Allison engines.
All details and assemblies constructed by comrade Antipov have been manufactured in great numbers and have immediately been mounted in aircraft of the 13th Air Army and the 2nd Leningrad Guards Fighter Aviation Corps. By functioning smoothly they contributed to the combat readiness and military successes of the Leningrad Front Air Forces.
Conclusion: For the exemplary execution of repairs to combat aircraft and the initiative he exhibited in the process, comrade Antipov is being nominated for the Order of the Red Star.
The full translation of the research can be read here
More info on Sgt. Antipov can be found here
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