Soviet Air Fleet Day

The most frequent date of air shows was the Soviet Air Fleet Day (Russian: День Воздушного Флота). It was also known as the Soviet Air Forces Day (Russian: День Военно-воздушных Сил), or Soviet Aviation Day.^[1] It was established in 1933^[2] and was most usually held on the third Sunday of August,^[3][4][5] weather permitting. The initial exhibition on 18 August 1933,^[1][6] was a result of Yakov Alksnis initiative, and was held in Khodynka Aerodrome (the Central Moscow Aerodrome), but since the next^[7] year the show became located on Tushino airfield near Moscow, where it remained for entire decades. In 1937, the parade was attended by nearly a million people,^[7][8] observing the masses of aircraft spelling in the sky "LENIN", "STALIN" and "СССР". The celebrations repeated until the fall of Soviet Union, and continue^[1][9][10] in Russia (location is now Zhukovskiy airport, see MAKS airshow).

May Day

1 May was dedicated to multitude of parades throughout the Soviet Union. They often included large-scale flypasts.^[11][12]

Other

The Soviet Air Fleet Day became primarily associated with Soviet Air Forces (VVS), so a separate day has been established for Soviet Air Defense Forces (PVO) a second arm of Soviet military that employed numerous fighter squadrons. It was called Soviet Air Defence Forces Day (Russian: День войск противовоздушной обороны СССР),^[13] occurred on the second Sunday of April,^[14] and was celebrated with air parades of lesser scale.^{[citation needed]}

The October Revolution anniversary usually included air parade, but as it was held on 7 November, the aircraft were often cancelled because of weather conditions.^[15] The same problem pertained to 19 November, the Soviet Rocket Forces and Artillery Day.^{[citation needed]}

Notably, the 50th anniversary of October revolution air show was held in the summer, on 9 July 1967 at Domodedovo airport. In an unprecedented display of air power, it featured twelve new types or variants of military aircraft,^[1][16] and prompted concern in the West.^{[further explanation needed]}