A.Durkota, T.Darcey, V.Kulikov The Imperial Russian Air Service (Flying Machines)

Russian Manufacturers' Introduction

V.V. Slyusarenko Aviation Company

  This firm was founded in 1913 by sport pilot Vladimir Victorovich Slyusarenko and his wife, Lydia Vissarionovna Zvereva, the first woman pilot in Russia. It started as a repair facility and flying school in Riga, and soon received its first military contract for ten Farman XVI aircraft. This order was completed by the summer of 1914.
  When the war began, the plant was moved to Petrograd, where it continued to build French aircraft under license. By the end of August, 1916, Slyusarenko had delivered 40 aircraft - 25 Morane-Saulnier L and 15 Farman XXbis machines.
  At that time the plant expanded, occupying an area of 14,110 square yards and employing 460 workers. In 1917 contracts were awarded for 20 Lebed 12s, 45 Morane-Saulnier Gs and 28 Hs, 20 Farman IVs, and 4 Farman XVIs. Most of these were completed and delivered.
  Several experimental aircraft were built and tested by Slyusarenko, although most were unsuccessful. One model, a modified Farman XVI, was accepted. It was built as a single-seater with reduced wing span and one less bay in the wing. Powered by an 80hp Gnome, it had a speed of 80 mph.
  During the war Slyusarenko produced 138 aircraft, of which 134 were accepted and delivered. However, by the end of 1917 the firm encountered the devastating economic effects of the revolution, and it closed in 1918.