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After joining the Soviet Air Force in 1938, Beregovoi flew 185 combat missions in World War 2. He then became one of Russia's
leading test pilots and flew in more than 50 different types of aircraft.
Korolyov advised Beregovoi to transfer to the
cosmonaut team, even though he was over 40 years old. He was promised that in the next few years there would be work of interest
to him.
Beregovoi considered himself too fat and not strong enough for the rigours of space-flight. Surinov, the head
of physical training, put him on an extensive six month course.
Beregovoi made his only flight on Soyuz 3, launched 26
October 1968. He was 47 years old. He rendezvoused with Soyuz 2, but failed to dock. He did manage complex testing of manoeuvering
and docking procedures.
Beregovoi served as a deputy to the Supreme Council of the Soviet Union and was head of the Yuri
Gargarin Cosmonaut Training Centre.
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