Vitalii Viktorovich Rybalko, 122. IAP (1942)

[Ferreira]

Hi!

Which was the rank of the Russian ace Vitalii Viktorovich Rybalko, that served in the 122 IAP, in february 1942?

Cheers,

Franklin

[Tom Semenza]

Franklin,

I don't find Rybalko's name in either of the two main English language books on Soviet fighter aces, namely Polak's "Stalin's Falcons" and Seidl's "Stalin's Eagles."
What source are you using and how many victories is he supposed to have claimed?

Tom

[Dénes Bernád]

'Rybalko' is not included in Bodrikhin's book on Soviet aces either.

[MB]

Originally Posted by Dénes Bernád

'Rybalko' is not included in Bodrikhin's book on Soviet aces either.

LOL, Bodrikhin's book is not bad, mainly cos it's the 1st work of such kind in Russia, but it is not a Bible anyway ...

Vitalii Viktorovich Rybalko, 1923, 122 iap, ended the GPW as Captain, with 7 confirmed personal aerial victories. During the war he flew MiG-3, Yak-1 and Yak-9 fighters.

The intervew (in Russian) and photos of V.V.Rybalko You can find here:
http://www.iremember.ru/pilots/rybalko/rybalko_r.htm

[Dénes Bernád]

Originally Posted by MB

LOL, Bodrikhin's book is not bad, mainly cos it's the 1st work of such kind in Russia, but it is not a Bible anyway ...

I realize that, but that's the only Russian book on aces I have (the first edition, 1997).

If I am not mistaken, you're currently working on a similar topic, albeit much more comprehensive. If so, I am looking forward to it...

[MB]

Originally Posted by Dénes Bernád

If I am not mistaken, you're currently working on a similar topic, albeit much more comprehensive. If so, I am looking forward to it...

Yeah we're working on it now, You're right, but unfortunately that's a very long and difficult work... Now it continues over 3 years already and it is impossible to say when it will be finished.

[Andy Fletcher]

Hi Mikhail,

Will your book be available in English? If so I can't wait.

What is your opinion of Stalin's Falcons and Stalin's Eagles (both of which I own). I've read that most Russian researchers regard these works as not being very accurate.
Regards

Andy Fletcher

[Dénes Bernád]

Originally Posted by Andy Fletcher

What is your opinion of Stalin's Falcons and Stalin's Eagles (both of which I own). I've read that most Russian researchers regard these works as not being very accurate.

I am not mistaken, neither authors used primary archival sources, only secondary, published sources. Therefore their works are incomplete and often contradictory, at the best. Nevertheless, since they are the only works on the topic available in English, they are certainly useful.

[MB]

Completely agree with Denes. Those books, especislly 'Falcons', are based mainly on pilots' memoires... Just remember that and don't believe 'victory lists' information, those are fakes over 99%, in other ways those books are average.

[Dénes Bernád]

As a sidenote, V. V. Rybalko is not listed in the two-volume red book on the Heroes of the S. U.