Yuri Sirotkin has passed away

[Abi]

Yurii Sirotkin, who won the title of World Champion in 1964, designer of the famous classic model MOCKBA,  has passed away.

"Verily we belong to God, and verily to Him do we return"

[John Leidle]

  If I get to a contest this year I'll try to fly the Spacehound in Open in his memory.
                 John L.

[Gordon Van Tighem]

I met Yuri at the 1981 FAI CIAM meetings. Even with the language challenges he was quite the interesting gentleman. His success in competition led to a government job promoting model aviation. Still have the pin we traded.
One of the innovators!
G

[Bob Hunt]

When I was young I read in the modeling magazines about Yuri's accomplishments and dreamed of being able to fly in the World Championships one day. He was an inspiration.

My good friend Bob Gialdini spoke often of Yuri with great affection. Attached is a photo of Bob and Yuri together at what I believe was the 1964 World Championships.

Rest in peace Mr. Sirotkin, rest in peace...

Bob Hunt

   

[Istvan Travnik]

Another great legend passed from Russia...
We (Hungarians) have some nice "sweet-soury" stories of Yuri.
Rest in peace! 

[Scott Richlen]

Loved the looks of his Space Hound.  There was a 3-view of it in American Modeler in the early 60's.  Even in just a line drawing it had a special appeal.  I also like the jet-like plane he is holding in the picture that Bob posted.  Very cool.

[Phil Spillman]

Although I'll never get to much less observe a World's in Stunt I was motivated and inspired by the exploits of Mr. Sirotkin as presented in MAN, FM, Am and AAM! He represented at least for me a small thaw in the then Cold War! God's Speed to Mr. Sirotkin

[John Park]

Who remembers Dave Day's 'Spacebird', a weird hybrid of the Spacehound and a Mk. 2 Thunderbird?  And talking of that period, I often wonder what happened to Juhani Kari, the Finnish teenager who came second to Sirotkin flying a kit Thunderbird, complete with piano-wire leadouts.

[Oleg Zinovkin]

The only time I saw Yuri was in 2017