At the regional competition, his work took first place, and at the international level, it secured third place. Turmush correspondent spoke with Vadim about his project, the challenges he faced, and his inspiration.
Vadim Vasilyevich Arkhipov was born in 1998 in Karakol. After finishing school, he enrolled at the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University named after B. Yeltsin, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in "applied mathematics and computer science," and later defended his master's thesis at the Issyk-Kul State University named after K. Tynystanov in the field of "mathematics." For six years, he has been teaching computer science at secondary school No. 3 named after Tilekmat Ake, inspiring his students by his example. "The idea of creating a remote-controlled airplane came to me in childhood. This process requires a lot of knowledge, tools, and patience. From the very first days of working as a teacher, I started saving money for the necessary materials. The preparation took a lot of time, but perseverance helped me get closer to my goal," he shares.
Vadim's participation in the "Intellectuals of the 21st Century" competition was a real test for him. "I just wanted to test my abilities. My work stood out among many models and took first place at the regional stage and third at the international level. This inspired me to continue. The victory was a powerful incentive — I felt that the months of work were not in vain. Now I want to engage my students in technical creativity, showing them how exciting engineering can be," he said.
Creating the model turned out to be a challenging task. "In Kyrgyzstan, it is difficult to find quality materials. For example, foam board, ideal for the fuselage, only appeared in Karakol in 2022. Previously, I had to use fragile ceiling tiles that often broke. Ordering equipment from China also posed risks. Motors, landing gear, servos — I bought everything online, and sometimes the wrong parts arrived, which increased costs." However, Vadim found innovative solutions, such as using underfloor heating mats — a lightweight material that replaced plywood," he added.
The main feature of Vadim's model is its functionality. "I aimed to create not just a replica but an airplane capable of flying. The appearance is less important; the main thing is stability and reliability in flight. The model is equipped with modern servos, sensors, and radio modules, and for small parts, I used 3D printing," he noted.
Vadim created models of two famous airplanes: the Soviet bomber Pe-2 and the British fighter Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX. "The Pe-2 was a versatile means of victory — it was characterized by high speed, maneuverability, and accuracy. While working on this model, I felt respect for Soviet engineers. The Spitfire Mk IX is a symbol of the Allies, which dominated the skies of Europe. These airplanes represent not only a technical challenge but also a tribute to the heroes," he said.
For Vadim, modeling has become not just a hobby but a link between generations. "When I create models, older people remember their childhood radio engineering clubs. This creates a sense of continuity," he noted.
Vadim's students were also inspired by his project. "At first, they didn't understand what exactly I was assembling. However, when the model began to take the shape of an airplane, they enthusiastically helped cut out parts and studied the history of aviation," the teacher recalls.
Each launch is an unforgettable adventure. Vadim smiles as he remembers the first flight of the Pe-2: "I poorly secured the battery, and the airplane spun in the air like a gyrocopter. It was fun, but it showed that the engine was powerful — I just needed to balance the design. Another problem was the landing gear. Uneven roads made takeoff difficult. Some designs made the airplane bounce instead of accelerate. There were also emergency situations — at the competition, my robot broke down due to a detached part, but the team managed to fix it 'on the fly,'" Vadim shared.
The victory inspired him for further projects. Vadim plans to participate in the "Intellectuals of the 21st Century" every year, creating not only airplanes but also robots. Among his ideas are a smart spider robot and a jet model of the MiG-29 fighter. "I want to show my students how exciting engineering is and inspire them to be creative," he concluded.
The students' reaction to their teacher's success was enthusiastic. "They asked to launch the airplane and want to try creating such models themselves," Vadim shares.
Vadim believes that the most important thing is to start. "Don't put off your dreams. Difficulties strengthen you and provide experience. I planned for a long time, but at one moment, I just got down to work. Confidence in yourself and your idea is the key to success. Even a unique project can go unnoticed if you don't know how to present it," he said.
For Vadim, modeling is not only engineering creativity but also a way to preserve memory. "Each model is a story of heroism. The Pe-2 and Spitfire remind us of the courage of those who fought for peace. I want my students to know this history and be proud of it," Arkhipov added.
