A group of osoaviakhimovtsi in gas-masks. JAR, 1937. [Photo by Y. Smertenko]

Osoaviakhim of the USSR (abbreviation from ‘Union of Associations for assistance in defense and development of the aircraft and chemical industry’ of the USSR) is a free military and sport association, which was engaged from 1927 to 1948 in preparing recruits for serving in the army and in forming the resources for the Soviet Army and Navy.