Long live the Soviet pilots! 1939

This 1939 Soviet aviation poster by artists Zhukov N. and Dobrovolsky V. celebrates the pride, strength, and heroism of Soviet military pilots on the eve of the Second World War. The composition features decorated aviators standing confidently in the foreground, with aircraft flying in formation above an airfield filled with marching crews and spectators. The slogan on the poster reads in Russian: «Да здравствуют советские летчики, гордые соколы нашей родины!» which translates as “Long live the Soviet pilots, the proud falcons of our Motherland!”

The poster emphasizes discipline, national unity, and patriotic devotion, portraying aviators as both defenders of the skies and symbols of honor and technological progress. Through its heroic imagery and uplifting message, the artwork reflects the glorification of aviation as a key pillar of Soviet strength and military preparedness.