Pilot-Cosmonaut Of The U.S.S.R.

[Tal Inbar]

Hello Folks!

The title "pilot-cosmonaut of the USSR" was confered on all the cosmonauts, and there was a gold badge recognizing the cosmonaut. However, in some places (even on this form) it is stated that there were 3 classes of the badge. That is simply wrong!
I met some cosmonauts and asked them, and also I have read on the subject on a Soviet cosmonautics encyclopedia.

It will be very good if people who are familiar with the subject will answer and help.

[Art]

Tal,

You and me both! I also would like to know this. Information on this and the other more obscure Titles of Distinction is very hard to come by. I do know that this award was first created and awarded to Yuri Gagarin after he was awarded the Hero of the USSR.

I obtained the information for the possibility of three classes of this award from an obscure handbook of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, it's simply titled "Handbook on the Soviet Armed Forces" it was published in 1978. Granted, the U.S. and the former USSR now are warmer and more open towards each other than back in the 70's, so the possibility of this information being incorrect is very possible. Let's hope we get to the bottom of this..

I contacted Alex Panchenko who operates Alex Panchenko Collectibles ( he deals in space/aviation items ) you can see his website here. he was nice enough to email back and he agrees that there was only one class for this award.

I am going to modify the site immediately so this is accurate.


Art