Author
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Topic: History behind Deke Slayton's Russian whistle
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idrvball Member Posts: 150 From: Burke, VA USA Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 05-08-2013 08:59 AM
I purchased this whistle in a recent auction and it came from Deke Slayton's estate. I'm wondering two things, if anyone knows anything about this whistle, or it's significance to Deke, and if anyone can interpret the Russian writing. It appears to be dated September 27, 1975, just after the ASTP Mission. The second photo shows the writing as best as I can show it. The date, which can't be seen, is actually written 27 ix 1975, so I'm assuming the ix is for September.
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kyra Member Posts: 583 From: Louisville CO US Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 05-09-2013 06:03 AM
"Donald Slayton from General F.(Vxxx *name obscured by glare*) city of Kiev 9/27/75" |
idrvball Member Posts: 150 From: Burke, VA USA Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 05-09-2013 09:08 AM
Thanks Kyra for the information. Here is another photo of the whistle, can you can read that a little better and translate? Sorry about the photos, it's a little difficult taking photos of this and not getting a reflection. I really appreciate your response. |
Lev M Member Posts: 139 From: Canada Registered: Nov 2012
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posted 05-09-2013 10:11 AM
... from general Zakharov V.F.The rest is ok. |
JasonB Member Posts: 1091 From: Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 05-09-2013 11:11 AM
Nice item but it seems like an odd item to give Slayton. Maybe whistles have some sort of symbolic meaning in Russia.But I guess if you really need to get someones attention you might as well do it in style! "Don't make me pull out the gold whistle!" |
idrvball Member Posts: 150 From: Burke, VA USA Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 05-10-2013 12:16 PM
Thanks Lev for providing Zakharov's name.Jason, I agree this seems to be an odd item to give to an astronaut after his ASTP Mission. If anyone has information on Zakharov's connection to Deke or to the space program, that would be appreciated. I can only find two Russian Generals on Google. Matvei, died in 1972, and Georgi retired in 1960, however he did live until 1996. Could there be another General Zakharov? |
Lev M Member Posts: 139 From: Canada Registered: Nov 2012
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posted 05-10-2013 01:45 PM
I believe this is him. He was a general in the Soviet Police force and was working in Kiev in 1975.By the way, similar whistles were used as gifts by the Soviet police officers. Another example is on the photo here (not related to any space event). |
lspooz Member Posts: 384 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Aug 2012
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posted 05-10-2013 04:41 PM
OK, now you've got to post an audio clip of that whistle's output! |
JasonB Member Posts: 1091 From: Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 05-10-2013 04:50 PM
If not for any other reason than to have proof that you blew Deke Slaytons whistle |
idrvball Member Posts: 150 From: Burke, VA USA Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 05-13-2013 07:26 PM
Thanks for all of the information. I appreciate the help. |