Hudson Bay in Vancouver in Clark County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

The Chkalov Transpolar Flight

Pearson Field

— Vancouver National Historic Reserve —

The Chkalov Transpolar Flight Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., June 12, 2008

1. The Chkalov Transpolar Flight Marker

Inscription. On June 20, 1937, the world’s attention turned to Pearson Field when a Russian ANT-25 aircraft landed after making the first non-stop flight over the North Pole.

The red and gray, single-engined aircraft “Stalin’s Route” carried over 2,000 gallons of fuel, and sported a 112 foot wingspan. It was crewed by three of the Soviet Union’s top airmen: Valery Chkalov, pilot; Georgi Baidukov, co-pilot; and Alexander Belyakov, navigator.

Taking off from Moscow on June 17, 1937, and bound for Oakland, California, the aircraft flew for almost 65 hours through sub-zero temperatures and thickening ice on its wings, before a sudden drop in oil pressure forced them to land at Pearson Field.

The unexpected aviators breakfasted with Vancouver Barracks’ commanding officer, General George C. Marshall, then faced throngs of journalists, politicians, and curious spectators. They were treated to a month-long tour of the United States that ended in Washington, D.C. at a reception with President Roosevelt. The massive aircraft was dismantled and shipped to Paris for display, then home to Moscow.

Erected by Vancouver National Historic Reserve.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Notable Events. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1967.

Location.

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45° 37.451′ N, 122° 39.431′ W. Marker is in Vancouver, Washington, in Clark County. It is in Hudson Bay. It is on E. 5th Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is near the Pearson Air Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1115 E 5th St, Vancouver WA 98661, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Portland Area

and in Southwest Washington State.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Soviet Transpolar Flight of 1937 (here, next to this marker); The 321st Observation Squadron (1923-1941) (here, next to this marker); Howard C. French / Alexander Pearson (a few steps from this marker); Early Aviation History in Vancouver (within shouting distance of this marker); Carlton Foster Bond (within shouting distance of this marker); Pearson Airfield (within shouting distance of this marker); First Japanese on the North American Continent (approx. 0.2 miles away); Whose Anchor? (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vancouver.

More about this marker. The background image on the marker is captioned, "The massive ANT-25 aircraft parked at Pearson Field the week of June 20, 1937." It was provided for use on the marker courtesy of Dale Denny.

Regarding The Chkalov Transpolar Flight. This marker replaced an early marker titled, "Over the Pole - 1937." The original marker read, in part:

On

Photographed by Kevin W., June 12, 2008

2. The Chkalov Transpolar Flight Marker

June 20, 1937, three flyers from the Soviet Union made a historic first non-stop flight over the North Pole and then landed unexpectedly at Pearson Field. Valery Chkalov, pilot, Georgiy Raidukov, co-pilot and instrument pilot, and Alexander Belyakov, navigator, became instant household names throughout the world for their daring long-distance record flight.

The legacy of the Soviet transpolar flight can be seen in continuing links between the citizens of Vancouver and the Soviet aviation community.

The 1937 over the pole flight was commemorated in 1975 with the erection of a monument in the United States that hailed a Soviet achievement. ANT-25 crew members Georgiy Raidukov and Alexander Belyakov, who were then generals, attended the ceremonies. Valery Chkalov was killed in 1938 while test flying a new aircraft.

[caption of upper center picture]:Three ANT-25 crew members [unreadable text]. The elated Soviet crew shortly after landing at Pearson Field in 1937.

[caption of lower left picture]:An aerial view of the special ANT-25 airplane which carried the Soviet flyers over the Arctic to Vancouver. (Oregon Historical Society Neg #????)

[caption of lower right picture]:Members of the Chkalov Transpolar Flight Committee along with Soviet cosmonauts pose in front of the new 1975 monument.[unreadable text]

"Over the Pole" marker originally located here image. Click for full size.

May 8, 2006

3. "Over the Pole" marker originally located here

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Soviet Transpolar Flights of 1937

Heroes of the Soviet Union in Vancouver, 1937 image. Click for full size.

Courtesy Pearson Air Museum, 1937

4. Heroes of the Soviet Union in Vancouver, 1937

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,252 times since then and 113 times this year. Last updated on December 22, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3, 4. submitted on June 23, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.