Russian Pilot Bronze Bust

[KC]

Got several items that the museum was selling on one of my trips to Omsk, Siberia, Russia in 1993.  (Was a very sad time in Russian history.) This was not in the gift shop but had actually been on display.  (Will be posting several items in the future.)

He is 5 1/2 " Tall x 3 1/4 " wide c 2 3/4" depth. Heavy bronze. 

"HИKOЛAИ rACTEЛЛO" is on the front with a frond above it and a medal with 1 star.  Obviously a pilot with his cap/goggles.
The writing must be his name because it won't translate on any translation site.  (waiting to hear back from Russian friends on this as well!)

Any ideas on value?

[D&b antiques]

Might be interesting too see where this goes. appears to be a pilot from the korean war. & decorated for bravery.

[Texasbadger]

KC
Please send those photos to me at texasbadger@sbcglobal.net in jpeg format and Ill post them on a militaria site that I participate in, should have answer in short order.

Steve

[KC]

Thanks!  Sending them today!

[Texasbadger]

KC heres my response from a Russian/Soviet era collector:

The medal is a Gold Star Medal, accompanying the Hero of the Soviet Union title. This HSU is Air Force Captain Nikolai Frantsevich Gastello (born on 6 May 1908 in Moscow), who commanded the 4th Squadron of the 42nd Long Range Bomber Aviation Division, 3rd Bomber Aviation Corps. He died on 26 June 1941 during a combat mission, when his bomber was hit and caught fire. Gastello crashed the burning aircraft into a grouping of enemy troops. He was awarded the HSU title on 26 July 1941.

[KC]

Thank you for the information.  I received yours then friends called and verified what you had already sent. 
He is one of the best known Soviet war heroes, being the first Soviet pilot to conduct a "fire taran"  in the Great Patriotic War of Russia - a suicide attack by an aircraft on a ground target. His gas tank was hit/on fire so he "rammed" the German Panzer column (armored division).

Seems in many stories on the internet there are different versions of the story...however, our Russian friends don't believe the negative ones and believe him to be a true hero!  (They are very determined in their beliefs!! Ha!)
Also, attached a pic of him from Freebase.

Any idea on the value of the little guy?

[KC]

Bump

Any idea on value?

[regularjoe2]

Ther's one on "www.collectrussia.c om" for $275 USD , KC .

[KC]

Sadly, they were downsizing the museum and most people couldn't afford anything.  I bought several pieces and paid $5 for this (considering the average monthly income of a family in this area of Siberia is $25 - husband & wife working -  it was alot here! In 1993).

Nice find regularjoe2!!!!!!

[Oceans64]

KC - I think it was 2-3 wks ago on the Roadshow (which may have been a rerun) I heard that Russian Antiques are holding there value if not appreciating even when everything else is going down.  This is due to the Russians trying to buy back objects of their heritage since many of them left the country when their economy was so bad...  Much like your story of the museum selling off their holdings. 

I quickly searched for verification of my memory but didn't find anything specific - will try more later but thought I'd let you know.

And I could be wrong 

 

[mariok54]

You are right Oceans, a lot of important Russian items that appear on auctions over here have been finding their way back home, and that's still the case as the Russian economy wasn't hit as bad as so many others.
The same is also true of Chinese artefacts.It's nice that they care about their heritage.

[KC]

Would like to hear more about that!

I bought several items....it was our third trip over in 6 years (that is how long it took us to get our adopted children out due to "red" tape).  Wanted some part of their heritage and the museum desperately needed the money!  We were actually some of the first Americans in Omsk (a previously "closed" city to foreigners due to military).  We were constantly followed by KGB.  There was no place for "tourists" on our first trip and we stayed at a hotel on the river where they confiscated our passports and had to know where we were on a daily basis. By the 2nd trip they "designated" a hotel for us to be in (we had no choice) so they could better monitor us.  (They truly insured our safety!) The coup attempt happened in Moscow 2 days after we left there and arrived in Siberia - was stuck there for 6 weeks due to safety concerns and the US Embassy was closed until it was safe to return.  This was by no means a luxury city and the basic comforts that we are spoiled with here were not available there. I loved it. However, they were the grandest trips of my life (and believe me - we travel the world).

http://www.russianmuseums.info/M1074 and the Military Museum Complex

[fancypants]

Looks like a good sub-$10 buy , KC !

Thanks for the good story & your dedication to persevere past the crimson celephane !

Tip-o'-th-hat !