Victor Dibovsky
Russian aviation pioneer and co-inventor of synchronization gear.
Victor Dibovsky (January 25, 1884 – December 29, 1953) was a Russian aviation pioneer. Born into a gentry family in Smolensk, he began naval service in 1901 and fought in the Russo-Japanese War, including the Battle of Tsushima. He served in both the Baltic and Black Sea Fleets of the Imperial Russian Navy before taking up aeronautics in 1909.
In 1911, Dibovsky became the first pilot to spot a submerged submarine, and he was also the first Russian to operate a radio from an aircraft. The following year, he set a record by flying from Sevastopol to St. Petersburg in 25 flight hours.
During World War I, Dibovsky served with the 20 Corps aviation group, earning Russia’s highest valor award, the Order of St. George, along with the Orders of St. Stanislaus and St. Vladimir, plus several medals. Together with Commander F. W. Scarff, he co-invented the Scarff-Dibovski synchronization gear, used by the UK Royal Naval Air Service. Promoted to lieutenant commander in 1916, he led the Russian naval air mission in London.
The revolution prevented his return to Russia. He lived in the UK, France, the USA, and again in Britain, patenting new inventions that received media coverage. He died of tuberculosis in London in 1953 and was buried in a pauper’s grave at St. Pancras and Islington Cemetery. A memorial was placed at his burial site in 2019.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- January 25, 1884
- Death Date
- 1953-12-29
- Birth Place
- Smolensk, Russian Empire
- Death Place
- London
- Allegiance
- Russia Russian Empire
- Branch
- Russia Imperial Russian Navy, Imperial Russian Army
- Service Years
- 1901–1917
- Rank
- Commander
- Unit
- 20th Corps Air Detachment
- Awards
- Order of Saint George, Order of Saint Vladimir, Order of Saint Stanislas, British Order of St Michael and St George
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Victor Dibovsky was born in Smolensk into a gentry family. He began naval service in 1901, seeing action in the Russo-Japanese War, including the Battle of Tsushima, and served in the Baltic Fleet and Black Sea Fleet of the Imperial Russian navy. He started studying aeronautics in 1909. In 1911 he became the first pilot to detect a submerged submarine, and was the first Russian to use radio on an aircraft. In 1912 he covered the distance between Sevastopol and St Petersburg in 25 flight hours, a record at the time.
Reader's Guide
During World War I, Dibovsky fought in the 20 Corps aviation group, earning orders of St George, St Stanislaus, St Vladimir and a number of medals. He invented the Scarff-Dibovski synchronization gear, used by the UK Royal Naval Air Service. In 1916 he was promoted to commander and came to London as head of the Russian naval air mission. The revolution prevented his return to Russia. He lived in the UK, France, the USA, and later in Britain again, patenting new inventions and receiving media coverage for his research. He died of tuberculosis in London in 1953 and was buried in a paupers’ grave at St Pancras and Islington Cemetery; a memorial was placed there in 2019. His significance lies in his pioneering contributions to naval aviation, radio communication in aircraft, and aircraft armament synchronization.
Did You Know?
- He was the first pilot to detect a submerged submarine, in 1911.
- He co-invented the Scarff-Dibovski synchronization gear with Commander F. W. Scarff, used by the UK Royal Naval Air Service.
- He was buried in a paupers’ grave; a memorial was placed in 2019.
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