Photo of Hero of the Soviet Union ace pilot P.M. Nikonorov

A rare photo in excellent collector's condition. The size is 64*93 mm. On the back there is a signature and traces of pasting into the album. Guarantee of authenticity.

Pyotr Mikhailovich Nikonorov (January 13, 1923, Chistopol, Tatar ASSR — July 5, 1983, Kharkov, Kharkiv region, Ukrainian SSR, USSR) was a major in the Soviet Army, a participant in the Great Patriotic War, Hero of the Soviet Union (1944).

Petr Nikonorov was born on January 13, 1923 in Chistopol. He was orphaned at an early age and grew up in an orphanage. He graduated from seven grades of school, studied at the aero club. In 1941, Nikonorov was drafted to serve in the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. In 1942, he graduated from the Tsnoris-Tskhali Military Aviation School of Pilots. Since December of the same year, he served on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. I flew La-5, La-7. By February 1944, Guards Lieutenant Pyotr Nikonorov commanded the 88th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 8th Guards Fighter Aviation Division of the 5th Fighter Aviation Corps of the 2nd Air Army of the 1st Ukrainian Front. By that time, he had flown 167 combat missions, participated in 44 aerial battles, shooting down 17 enemy aircraft personally and 5 more as part of a group.

By Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated July 1, 1944, for "bravery and heroism shown in aerial combat, for shooting down 17 enemy aircraft", Guard Lieutenant Pyotr Nikonorov, flight commander of the 88th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 8th Guards Fighter Aviation Division of the 5th Fighter Aviation Corps of the 2nd Air Army, He was awarded the high title of Hero of the Soviet Union with the award of the Order of Lenin and the Gold Star medal number 1969. He fought no less bravely after being awarded the title of Hero: by May 1945, he had completed over 200 combat missions, conducted more than 50 air battles, shot down 21 aircraft personally and 1 in a group. After the end of the war, Nikonorov continued to serve in the Soviet Army. In 1957, with the rank of major, he was discharged into the reserve. He lived and worked in Kharkov. He died on July 5, 1983, and was buried at Kharkov cemetery No. 5. He was also awarded three Orders of the Red Banner, the Orders of the Patriotic War of the 1st degree and the Red Star, and a number of medals.