Klimov Vladimir - a scientist, an outstanding aircraft designer of the USSR

Klimov Vladimir became famous in the design of aircraft engines. He made an indispensable contribution to the victory in the Great Patriotic War not only with his developments, but also with personal savings.

In addition to his main activity, he was a representative of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, a deputy of the Supreme Council, a corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

Youth

Born Klimov Vladimir 11/07/1982 in Moscow. The parents of the future scientist were peasants from the Vladimir province. Mother, Praskovya Vasilievna, also comes from a peasant family. Father, Yakov Alekseevich, left his village in Moscow since childhood. He was able to rise from the apprentice to the owner of the artel craftsmen. Thanks to hard work, he made money, for which he acquired a plot of land in the capital. On it, he built a profitable house and began to rent apartments.

Vladimir was one of eight children. He received his education at the Komissar Technical School, and later at the State Technical University of Moscow.

Klimov began to work since 1917. The main positions he held:

• Engineer-designer at the Kolomensky plant;
• Worked in the Council of National Economy, engaged in aircraft engines;
• Headed the commission, which dealt with the purchase of licenses for foreign engines in Paris and Berlin;
• Taught at MVTU, Lomonosov University, Academy of Air Fleet;
• Headed the department at the Moscow Aviation Institute for the design of aircraft engines.

In addition, he participated in the development of various engines, such as M-12, M-13, M-23, M-100, M-105, VK-107, VK-108 and others. The engines developed by him were installed on bombers, which successfully fought in the Second World War.

Contribution to the victory over Hitler

With the beginning of the Great Patriotic Plant, where Vladimir Klimov worked, he was evacuated to Ufa. He began to manage the Ufa Motor Plant No. 28. The scientist not only established the serial production of already proven engines, but also improved them. After each military flight of the military aircraft, the scientist was given the opportunity to check the engine's operation in practice and to eliminate any flaws. About 90% of military aircraft flew on the engines of Vladimir Klimov.

During the war years, he invested in the construction of combat aircraft more than seventy thousand rubles from personal savings. He informed Stalin of this in a letter and received approval in return.

Creation of a jet engine

After the war, a new stage began in the life of Vladimir Klimov. He engaged in the creation of jet aircraft engines. The first prototypes were created in the late forties of the twentieth century.

By 1951, VK-1F was designed by scientists. This name was one of the first in the world market of turbojet engines. The invention had a number of features:

• Embedded closed method of liquid cooling;
• Air supercharger with two-speed drive;
• Improved gas distribution system;
• The power system is improved.

The jet engines developed by the scientist Vladimir Klimov were used for MiG fighters. The pilots who fought on them gave positive feedback. It was with this engine that the MiG-17 fighter was able to achieve supersonic speed for the first time in flight.

Last years

In 1956, Vladimir Klimov was appointed General Designer for aircraft engines in the Union. He also remained the director of the plant number 117. In addition to designing, he was engaged in research activities, for example, he studied the theory of lubrication.

In 1960, he went on a well-deserved rest. The last years of his life he lived in Moscow. There was no outstanding scientist 09/09/1962. He was buried in his native city on the Novodevichy cemetery next to his wife. On the tombstone is carved the head of a scientist. He depicts him in his youth.

Perpetuation of memory

After the death of the scientist, his inventions, scientific works were left. They are still used. The memory of his services remains in our days:

• In 2002, in the Ukrainian city of Zaporozhye, the street was named after the scientist. It is located in the Shevchenko district. In the same city there is a park named after the academician.
• The name of the designer is Scientific and Production Association. A memorial plaque is placed on the factory building. Opened it in 2002.
• In honor of the scientist called the square in St. Petersburg.
• In Moscow, a bust of Vladimir Klimov is installed. Photo with the designer is not so much preserved. There is a bust at the intersection of Aviamotornaya and Soldatskaya streets, opposite the building of the Central Institute of Aviation Motors. They opened the monument in 1976. Sculptor Filippov, the architect - Skokan.

Klimov was part of a great era in the development of air. People could not just rise above the ground, but could fly with great speed. A significant contribution to this was made by Vladimir Yakovlevich. The engines he created allowed Russia to keep up with other countries in the aircraft industry and helped win the war. Thanks to such people, the Soviet state declared itself to the world.