On August 19, 1991, the world watched in awe as the Soviet Union was rocked by a coup d’etat that would change the face of Eastern Europe forever. And just as the reign of Communism was ending, an American-owned Cessna 185 left Soviet airspace after an historic flight across Russia to promote international friendship through aviation.
“Viktor, Vodka and Raw Fish is one of the best documentaries on Russia I have even seen. A rare glimpse inside the aviation world of the Russian Bear.” – Jim Dalby, President/Cheif Executive Office, San Diego Air and Space Museum
“Aviation is now an everyday routine. The days of adventure are past. But occasionally the delight of pioneering flight is recaptured. John Proctor has obliged – handsomely – with this single engine odyssey along the 8,000 mile length of the Sovie Union, just before its demise.” – Ron Davies, Air Transport Historian and Author
“There are a lot of ‘talkers’ in the aviation business, but only a few ‘doers.’ John is a ‘doer.'” – Merv Halliday, Past President, New Zealand Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA-NZ)
…And a review by David Cooke in the April 1995 issue of APOA of Australia magazine –
VICTOR, VODKA AND RAW FISH Book by John M. Proctor
“Can you imagine flying a Cessna 185 across the then USSR? I certainly could not, nor in fact did I know that not only was it possible, but it had been done in 1991 just before the Soviet Union collapsed. I sat down one afternoon to have a quick look at the beginning of this video to decide when to review it and ended up spellbound and riveted to my sear. My wife too, who normally finds something else to do what I watch flying videos, was unable to draw herself away until it was finished…”
“Living the dream says it all! But it also takes guts to fly a 50 year old, 15 ton antique flying boar, 35,000 miles. John and Joyce did the job! Congratulations and well done!” – Ernest J. King, Director of Development, Space Shuttle Life Support Systems