The “Ready for Air and Chemical Defense” badge from the exhibition “Tyumen — The War — The Great Victory” was produced in the USSR between 1935 and 1939. It has a round shape with gear elements and features images of an anti-aircraft gun, a gas mask, and an aircraft illuminated by a searchlight beam.
On top of these images, there is a red star with the inscription “Ready for Air and Chemical Defense” in three lines. At the bottom of the badge, there is a red ribbon with the inscription “Osoaviakhim of the USSR”. With the help of two side lugs and chains, the badge is connected to a suspension device in the form of a biplane.
The program of the sports and defense standard “Ready for Air and Chemical Defense” was introduced by the Central Council of Osoaviakhim in September 1934, and in August 1935, its badge was approved.
Each member of society who successfully passed the tests of the standard and actively participated in air and chemical defense events organized at home, work, collective farm, or school could receive such a badge.
These standards included the knowledge of a gas mask and the ability to use it correctly, the knowledge of air and chemical defense tasks, the ability to fight fires and provide first aid to fire victims. During the existence of the standard, over 38 million people underwent training in the area of air and chemical defense.
In 1940 alone, 9.8 million Soviet citizens passed the tests to qualify for the 1st-class standard. Judging by the articles in the newspapers of that time, the quality of training was not always good enough. In the summer of 1936, the 2nd class of the standard was introduced, but it did not become widespread.
To qualify for the 2nd class, it was necessary not only to pass the tests but also to be a shock worker and an active member of the air and chemical defense events of one’s house or factory and to have a gas mask. On January 28, 1937, the collective badge “Ready for Air and Chemical Defense” was approved, which was mounted on the facades of buildings.
In 1939, the design of 1st- and 2nd-class badges was changed. After the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the production of badges was stopped, although people continued qualifying for the standard until 1946. Badges were mass-produced at different factories for several years. This is why there were many numerous variations in terms of stamp details, such as the gas mask shape or aircraft silhouette, and the material, such as bronze or steel.
On top of these images, there is a red star with the inscription “Ready for Air and Chemical Defense” in three lines. At the bottom of the badge, there is a red ribbon with the inscription “Osoaviakhim of the USSR”. With the help of two side lugs and chains, the badge is connected to a suspension device in the form of a biplane.
The program of the sports and defense standard “Ready for Air and Chemical Defense” was introduced by the Central Council of Osoaviakhim in September 1934, and in August 1935, its badge was approved.
Each member of society who successfully passed the tests of the standard and actively participated in air and chemical defense events organized at home, work, collective farm, or school could receive such a badge.
These standards included the knowledge of a gas mask and the ability to use it correctly, the knowledge of air and chemical defense tasks, the ability to fight fires and provide first aid to fire victims. During the existence of the standard, over 38 million people underwent training in the area of air and chemical defense.
In 1940 alone, 9.8 million Soviet citizens passed the tests to qualify for the 1st-class standard. Judging by the articles in the newspapers of that time, the quality of training was not always good enough. In the summer of 1936, the 2nd class of the standard was introduced, but it did not become widespread.
To qualify for the 2nd class, it was necessary not only to pass the tests but also to be a shock worker and an active member of the air and chemical defense events of one’s house or factory and to have a gas mask. On January 28, 1937, the collective badge “Ready for Air and Chemical Defense” was approved, which was mounted on the facades of buildings.
In 1939, the design of 1st- and 2nd-class badges was changed. After the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the production of badges was stopped, although people continued qualifying for the standard until 1946. Badges were mass-produced at different factories for several years. This is why there were many numerous variations in terms of stamp details, such as the gas mask shape or aircraft silhouette, and the material, such as bronze or steel.
