Soviet Fighter Pilot Boris Yeremin in a Donated Yak-1B, 1943

December 23, 2025 - Reading time: 11 minutes

A rare 1943 photograph of Soviet fighter pilot Boris Yeremin in a Yak-1B aircraft donated by a collective farmer, symbolizing civilian support for the Red Air Force.

This rare wartime photograph shows Soviet fighter pilot Boris Yeremin seated in the cockpit of a Yak-1B fighter aircraft, donated to the front by a Soviet collective farmer during World War II. The image reflects both the intensity of aerial warfare and the unique civilian contributions to the Soviet war effort.

Boris Yeremin: A Veteran of the Soviet Air Force

Boris Nikolayevich Yeremin (1913–2005) was one of the most experienced Soviet fighter pilots of the war.

During World War II, he:

• Completed 342 combat sorties

• Conducted over 100 ground-attack missions

• Participated in 70 air battles

• Shot down 23 German aircraft (8 personally, 15 in group combat)

Yeremin was shot down twice, wounded twice, and awarded numerous decorations, including six Orders of the Red Banner—an exceptionally rare distinction.

Although nominated for the title Hero of the Soviet Union in 1944 and 1945, he only received the honor much later, in 1990.

The Yak-1B Fighter Aircraft:

The Yak-1B was an improved version of the Yak-1, one of the Soviet Union’s most important frontline fighters.

Key features of the Yak-1B:

• Improved canopy with better visibility

• More powerful engine

• Enhanced armament

• Excellent maneuverability at low and medium altitudes

By 1943, the Yak-1B had proven itself as a capable opponent to German fighters on the Eastern Front.

A Plane Bought by a Collective Farmer:

The inscription on the aircraft reads:
“To the pilot of the Stalingrad Front, Guards Major Yeremin, from collective farmer Golovaty of the ‘Stakhanovets’ collective farm.”

The aircraft was purchased using personal funds by Ferapont Petrovich Golovaty, who:

• Sold one centner of honey

• Sold two cows

With this money, Golovaty financed the construction of two fighter aircraft for Yeremin:

• A Yak-1B (late 1942 or early 1943)

• A Yak-3 (May 1944)

The second aircraft bore the inscription:
“From Ferapont Petrovich Golovaty — second aircraft for the final defeat of the enemy.”

Where the Aircraft Are Today:

The donated fighters survived the war and are preserved as historical artifacts:

• Yak-1B — Saratov Museum of Military Glory (Russia)

• Yak-3 — Museum in Santa Monica, USA

Their survival makes this photograph even more valuable for aviation historians.

Civilian Contributions to the Soviet War Effort:

This image illustrates a broader phenomenon of the Soviet wartime economy:

• Civilians donated money, valuables, and livestock

• Aircraft and tanks were often funded privately

• Donor inscriptions became symbols of morale and unity

Such initiatives played an important psychological role, reinforcing the connection between the front and the home front.

Historical Significance of the Photograph:

The photograph is significant because it:

• Documents a real combat aircraft with known provenance

• Highlights the human side of wartime aviation

• Connects individual heroism with civilian sacrifice

It serves as a reminder that victory in the air depended not only on pilots and machines, but also on the society supporting them.

Photo Information:

• 📝 Source: wartime Soviet photograph

• 📍 Location: USSR

• 📅 Date: 1943

• 📷 Author: unknown

The image of Boris Yeremin in his donated Yak-1B captures a powerful wartime story of courage, sacrifice, and solidarity. It reflects how individual dedication—both in the air and on the home front—shaped the outcome of the air war over the Eastern Front.

👉 See also: rare photographs of Soviet fighter pilots and aircraft of World War II.