AN AEROPLANE 

Heretofore we have known only autoambulances. Now we have aeroplaneambulances. In rescuing people in distress, the lion s share of heroism belongs to Soviet aeroplanes and Soviet pilots. We will briefly recall several facts that thundered throughout the world. 

Pilot Chukhnovsky (in center) and his crew, who discovered the Vilieri group from the wrecked dirigible Italy , and... 

Chukhnovsky s hydroplane landing on board the icebreaker  Krassin . 

Soyuzphoto. 

SEVERAL MORE FACTS: 

In an obscure corner of Karelia where the thermometer drops to forty below zero, a village teacher froze both her feet. Gangrene meant sure death. An immediate operation was necessary. Where could a surgeon be found in a Karelian village? An aeroplane was urgently summoned from Leningrad, and in one day it covered the distance and brought the dying teacher to a surgeon in Leningrad. The woman s life was saved. 

A prominent Soviet scientist who headed a research expedition, took seriously ill in the remote and gloomy taiga. A radiogramm to that effect was received in Irkutsk. A Soviet flyer set forth in search of the professor, flying over unexplored territory. He set out in the morning and before the day was out he was back with the professor in the plane. 

In the far north, at the mouth of the Yenissei river, a herd of deer were effected by epizooty. A shock-brigade of aviators immediately transported a group of doctors and a supply of medicament. The epidemic was nipped in the bud. 

Two well-known American aviators Eilson and Borland, who flew to the rescue of the marooned schooner, Nanuk, dissappeared. Several days later their plane was found wrecked. M. Slepnev, who at that time was engaged in rescuing the passengers of  Stavropol , flew out in search of Eilson and Borland. Their bodies were found within 50 feet of the wrecked plane, and by request of the American government were transported to Alaska. 

AN AMBULANCE 

Babushkin, who was a member of the rescue party which set out with the icebreaker  Maligin  in search of the same dirigible. He is the only aviator in the country who could land on floating icebergs. Such landings require great skill it is very difficult to locate a smooth icy surface from the air. 

The distant Cape North. Under extremely difficult polar conditions, pilot Galishev rescued the passengers of the steamship Stavropol  which was marooned in the ice. 

The motor for Galishev s aeroplane is transported by dogs. 

 Chukchi  natives digging Galishev s aeroplane from under the snow. 

Photo by V. Galishev.