Grigory Andreevich Rechkalov was a Soviet fighter pilot during World War II who scored over fifty solo shootdowns, making him one of the highest scoring Soviet fighter pilots.
11 Facts About Grigory Rechkalov
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Grigory Rechkalov was twice awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union for his aerial victories and went on to become a general after the war.
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Grigory Rechkalov was initially grounded because of Daltonism, but due to the start of the war he was allowed to fly in 1941 and posted to the 55th Fighter Aviation Regiment, stationed in the Odessa Military District.
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Grigory Rechkalov began his combat career on 22 June 1941 over Moldavia flying an I-153 marked "blue 13" on the tail, undertaking 30 sorties in this aircraft during the month and engaging in ten combats.
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Grigory Rechkalov returned safely to his airfield and after landing was hospitalized.
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In May 1944 Grigory Rechkalov took command over the 16th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, but on 31 May 1944, while leading a formation over Iasi, five P-39s were lost after he decided to pursue a group of Bf 109 fighters alone.
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Grigory Rechkalov again took over as regiment commander, but left command of it in February 1945 and was appointed Inspector for Flight Training of 9th Guards Fighter Aviation Division.
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Grigory Rechkalov flew the I-153, I-16, MiG-3, Yak-1, and P-39, but a vast majority of his tally was on the P-39.
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Grigory Rechkalov then commanded a regiment, and various air divisions.
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Grigory Rechkalov went on to become a Major General of Aviation in the Soviet Air Force in 1957 before leaving the military in 1959.
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Grigory Rechkalov lived in Moscow until his death on 20 December 1990.