Rare badge of the members of the Society of Aviation and Aeronautics of Ukraine and Crimea (OAVUK)

The original sign is in excellent collector's condition. Bronze, enamel. The sign is a bronze round base, the obverse of which is decorated with multicolored enamel with a relief image of the organization's coat of arms in the form of a stylized globe inscribed in the USSR emblem with a hammer and sickle, as well as a flying propeller aircraft and the name of the organization – "OAVUK". The obverse is flat, silvered. Fastening — twist. Guarantee of authenticity.

Society of Aviation and Aeronautics of Ukraine and Crimea ("TAPUK", ukr. The Aviation Aviation Association of Ukraine (Krimu) is a voluntary, military—patriotic association of amateur pilots that existed in Ukraine in 1923-1925.

The 1920-1930 years of the twentieth century were a period of mass fascination with gliding. The magazine "Aviation and Aeronautics" quoted the words of M. V. Frunze:"In connection with the international situation, the issues of the development of Soviet aviation come to the fore. The Society of Aviation and Aeronautics should now consider its most urgent tasks: 1) creation of cadres of civilian pilots; 2) development of the domestic Soviet aviation industry. The way to solve the first problem is in the development of glider aviation. Here we have fallen behind, and we need to catch up." By the decision of the Government of the Ukrainian SSR in March 1923, the Society of Aviation and Aeronautics of Ukraine and Crimea — OAVUK was established, with the center in the capital of the republic — Kharkiv. As of 1925, the Society had 416 thousand members, united in 7115 circles. The society led gliding circles, organized the training of lecturers, conducted lotteries in favor of aviation and gliding, published the magazine "Air Fleet".

The Society contributed to the creation of the Central Aeroclub in Kharkiv and the Kharkiv Aviation School, the Kiev School of Gliding Instructors, 72 glider and 97 model circles, 1,475 libraries with aviation topics were opened. The Society has collected more than 1.5 million Carbovans for the development of the air fleet. S. P. Korolev became a member of the OAVUK in 1923. The characteristic given to him by the society has been preserved: "This is given by Comrade. Korolev S. P. is that he has been actively involved in all the work in the gliding circle of the OVUAK Hubotdel since June 1923." In 1925, the Society of Aviation and Aeronautics of Ukraine and Crimea and the society "Ukrdobrohim" were merged into the Society of Friends of Aviation Chemical Defense and Industry "Aviakhim", which in 1927 was transformed into Osoaviakhim.