HISTORY OF PRODUCTION
OF BADGES AND MEDALS AT SMOLENSK AIRCRAFT PLANT JSC

The history of the plant's souvenir manufacturing shop dates back to the 60-ies. In 1969 the Ministry of Aviation Industry issued an order to set up a shop at Smolensk Aircraft Plant to produce badges and medals. At first the shop fabricated badges for the needs of the Ministry. The plant's aviation-oriented profile determined the subject-matter of badges and medals. Early badges featured USSR aircraft, they were dedicated to air shows and conferences, anniversaries of aviation enterprises. The growing popularity of the new production facility ensured an influx of orders from enterprises from other sectors of national economy. Jubilee and award badges became the most wanted types.

In 70 - 80-ies the plant accepted numerous orders for jubilee, corporate and award badges for virtually every sector of national economy. Badges to commemorate important dates and occasions were manufactured in bulk quantities. At that time the badges were made only from aluminum and only pin-fasteners were used.

Besides collection badges dedicated to aviation the assortment included badges with other content: emblems of cities, monuments and architectural masterpieces of Smolensk and the region.

From 1985 to 1990 the Ministry of Defense of the USSR placed special orders with the plant to produce badges of rank (stars, cockade, insignia). The production output reached several millions pieces per year.

In the late 90-ies new technologies were implemented to approximate the quality of products to that of mints.

To manufacture badges copper alloys were introduced, namely "tombac", "white copper", "nickel silver", with screw and collet (butterfly-type) fasteners.

The production time was greatly reduced. New services appeared:

• free of charge design of a badge to the customer's description;
• distribution of samples of products to facilitate customer's decision-making;
• delivery of a test sample on customer's demand;

Products are shipped to all regions of the Russian Federation.