Aircraft - Russia / USSR: Illustrated History Books & Guides

Soviet and Russian Military Aircraft in Asia

After the end of the Second World War, the Soviet Union tried to exert its political influence on the Asian continent. A major pillar of this cold-war policy was the widespread supply of arms to the Continent including many combat, transport, training and utility aircraft.
"Soviet and Russian Military Aircraft in Asia" reviews in detail the Soviet and Russian aircraft types used throughout Asia, starting in the 1950s and continuing through to the present day. Each nation is reviewed individually with an overview of the types used, their service record (including combat in conflicts of varying intensities) and extensive tables of individual aircraft with serials, construction numbers, versions and notes.

Although the ubiquitous MiG fighters and Mil helicopters feature prominently, there are many other types to consider and aircraft from all the leading design bureaux, including Antonov, Beriyev, Ilyushin, Kamov, Sukhoi, Tupolev and Yakovlev are covered in this book. Chinese 'copies' of Soviet designs are reviewed and also included are those quasi-military and ostensibly civilian transports which have clearly been operated largely on behalf of the military.
"Soviet and Russian Military Aircraft in Asia" is a treasure trove of exotic colours and markings, combined with a mass of unpublished, original information including over 320 photos, over 140 colour profiles and around 50 insignia to delight modellers and fascinate all readers.

Product details

Author:	Gordon Yefim, Dmitriy Komissarov
Details:	416 pages, 12 x 8.25 x 1.18 in (30.5 x 21 x 3 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	320 b&w and color photos, 140 profile illustrations in color
Language:	English
Publisher:	Hikoki Publications (GB, 2014)
Series:	Hikoki
ISBN:	9781902109299

Soviet and Russian Military Aircraft in the Americas

The first recipient of Soviet military hardware in the Americas was Cuba in 1959. Since then the Cuban Air Force has operated the MiG-15 to the MiG-29, An-26 and Il-76MD transports and more. Cuban combat aircraft have seen action against the ships and aircraft used by the CIA in its subversive activities against Cuba.

Other Latin American nations have also ordered Russian military aircraft - based on common sense and economic expediency rather than political affiliations. These include Mexico; Brazil; neighbouring Colombia; the Argentina Air Force and Bolivia which is among the latest customers for the Mi-17, which it plans to use for drug-busting operations.

Another major customer for Soviet aircraft was Peru, which ordered An-26 and An-32 transports, MiG-29 fighters, Su-20/Su-22 fighter-bombers and Su-25 attack aircraft. Peruvian Su-22s have been involved in the border conflict with neighbouring

Ecuador and Soviet aircraft (notably Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters) have been actively used by the Sandinista regime in Nicaragua against the US-backed Contras insurgents during the civil war.
More recently, Venezuela, another country noted for its anti-US stance, purchased a large batch of Su-30 MKV multi-role fighters, as well as Mi-17 and Mi-26 helicopters.

Written by the acknowledged experts in the field and illustrated throughout with photographs and colour artwork, this is the definitive record of Soviet and Russian military aircraft and their combat operations in this region.

Product details

Author:	Yefim Gordon, Dmitriy Komissarov
Details:	272 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 x 0.51 in (29.5 x 21 x 1.3 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	550 color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Hikoki Publications (GB, 2016)
ISBN:	9781902109541

Russian Aviation Colours 1909-1922 : Camouflage and Marking (Volume 3) - Red Stars

This third volume describes the history of the little-known emblems and distinctive markings of early Soviet military aircraft from the revolution to the Russian exit from World War One.
The authors have managed to collect, and in some cases partially reconstruct, the majority of emblems and signs used in Russia during this period by military aviation units. The collected material is presented in a clear and attractive form - colour plates, reconstructed logos, and original photographs from public and private archives.

This profusely illustrated book covers the aircraft used by early Soviet aviation, with brief details of their service use and comprehensive details of the colours and markings they carried.
Besides the many photographs, full colour profiles illustrate the markings applied. Detailed colour notes and precise descriptions and illustration of national markings over the period complete a book that will be invaluable to aircraft enthusiasts, historians and modellers.

Product details

Author:	Marat Khairulin
Details:	240 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 in (29.5 x 21 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	many b&w and color photos + drawings
Language:	English
Publisher:	MMP Books (PL, 2017)
ISBN:	9788365281647

Russian Fighter Aircraft 1920-1941

This book covers all of the various fighter aircraft designed and employed by Russian forces during the years 1920-1941.

Product details

Author:	Heinz J. Nowarra
Details:	48 pages, 6.5 x 10.6 x 0.12 in (16.5 x 27 x 0.3 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	over 100 b&w photos, drawings
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2004)
ISBN:	9780764302947

Soviet Airmen in the Spanish Civil War - 1936-1939

Between September 1936 and February 1939, the Soviet Union was covertly aiding the Spanish Republic in its civil war with the right wing forces of General Francisco Franco, which had revolted against the government and were being aided semi-covertly by Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany.

The Soviets were not only supplying the Republic with oil, gasoline, and food stuffs, but also the aircraft, tanks, artillery pieces, and small arms they needed to conduct the war. The Soviets also began sending military advisers and personnel from all branches of the service, plus engineers, translators, merchant seamen and war industry factory workers.

Of the approximately 3,000 people sent from the Soviet Union, 772 were from the air force, and of these 100 were killed in action or died as a result of accidents or wounds received in battle.

Product details

Author:	Paul Whelan
Details:	320 pages, 10.25 x 7.3 x 0.71 in (26 x 18.5 x 1.8 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	568 illustrations
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2014)
ISBN:	9780764346330

Soviet and Russian Testbed Aircraft

In both Soviet and modern Russia a multitude of aircraft have been used for test and research purposes. Primarily this was done for verifying new avionics, aircraft systems and weaponry but testbed aircraft were also utilised for other purposes including testing the components of ballistic missile systems.

Encompassing test aircraft from the 1930s to the present day, this book provides an unique insight into how test articles including ramjet boosters and air-launched cruise missiles were developed, the aircraft that carried them and the test centres they flew from.
It investigates all categories of test and research aircraft: engine testbeds including the Il-76LL and Tu-16LL; radar testbeds such as the SL-18P based on the well-known Il-18 airliner; electronic warfare system testbeds and those used for weapons testing including the G-310; aerodynamics and control configured vehicles like the DB-3LL laminar flow research aircraft and the LMK-2405.

The Su-29KS and An-12MLL ejection seat testbeds, refuelling systems, helicopters modified as rotor systems testbeds and civil aircraft including the An-12BPTs 'Tsiklon' weather research aircraft and IMARK geophysical survey aircraft are described as are the MiG-27LL and MiG-29KVP aircraft used for testing conventional take-off and landing technologies during the Soviet CTOL aircraft carrier development programme.

Comprehensive details of each aircraft are coupled with information on the test centres from which these testbeds operate including the M. M. Gromov Flight Research Institute in Zhukovskiy, and the Air Force's 929th State Flight Test Centre in Akhtoobinsk.

With over 700 photographs, 72 line drawings, close-up views of tell-tale 'bumps and bulges' and more than 100 new colour profiles to illustrate the aircraft, Soviet and Russian Testbed Aircraft provides a wealth of new information for the historian, aviation enthusiast and modeller alike.

Product details

Author:	Gordon Yefim, Dmitriy Komissarov
Details:	320 pages, 11.8 x 8.5 x 1.77 in (30 x 21.5 x 4.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	700 b&w and color photos, 100+ profile illustrations
Language:	English
Publisher:	Hikoki Publications (GB, 2011)
Series:	Hikoki
ISBN:	9781902109183

The Russian Military Air Fleet in World War I (Volume 1) - A chronology 1910-1917

"The Russian Military Air Fleet in World War I" two volume set is a prodigious scholarly endeavor, offering for the first time in the English language a close up view of Air Fleet operations and personnel. Volume1 is a chronology of the development of aeronautics and aviation in Russia beginning in the earliest days and the eventual emergence of the Air Fleet, which is carried through to its dissolution by the Bolsheviks and the beginning of the Red Air Fleet in March 1918.
There are also chapters on manufacturers, airmen badges, aviation uniforms, flight helmets, markings, flags and pennants, organizational charts, maps of the Russian and Romanian Fronts, and bibliography.

Product details

Author:	August G. Blume
Details:	240 pages, 11.4 x 8.9 x 1.26 in (29 x 22.5 x 3.2 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	300 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Schiffer Publishing Ltd (USA, 2010)
ISBN:	9780764333514

Unflown Wings: Soviet / Russian Unreleased Aircraft Projects 1925-2010

A detailed volume uncovering a wide range of Soviet aviation projects that, for a variety of reasons, never progressed beyond the drawing board. Packed with over 800 illustrations including photos, drawings and diagrams.

Product details

Author:	Yefim Gordon, Sergey Komissarov
Details:	640 pages, 11.4 x 8.7 x 1.69 in (29 x 22 x 4.3 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	800+ photos and drawings
Language:	English
Publisher:	Crecy Publishing (GB, 2013)
ISBN:	9781906537340

Chasseurs russes et soviétiques 1915-1950

This reference book provides a detailed account of the work and research carried out by Russian and then Soviet aircraft manufacturers from 1915 to 1950 in the field of single-engine and multi-engine fighters powered by atmospheric engines.
You will find all the studies, projects, prototypes and achievements recorded to date during this period, as well as their derivatives for reconnaissance or training, as well as purely experimental prototypes.

The author also wanted to include in this book mixed-propulsion projects and programs, i.e. models planned or equipped with ramjets, pulsejets, rocket engines and motor compressors.

This new edition is completely revised and corrected. It gives a lot of details concerning all the fighters and interceptors (plus the derivatives) by detailing all the versions and variants of each program, with a maximum of new plans and photos.

Product details

Author:	Herbert Léonard
Details:	464 pages, 12.2 x 9.25 in (31 x 23.5 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	700 b&w and color photos
Language:	French
Publisher:	ETAI (F, 2009)
ISBN:	9782726888124

Transportflugzeuge aus der Sowjetunion

The war in Ukraine has brought Russia's military capabilities back into the public eye. Air transport capacities are also of central importance here.
In the Soviet era, extremely powerful aircraft were built, including the legendary Antonov An-225 (a one-off), which was tragically destroyed beyond repair during the fighting.

Pages of the book "Transportflugzeuge aus der Sowjetunion"

Michael Normann, himself a former member of the NVA, describes the flying transporters from Soviet times, many of which are still in use today, in a highly expert and detailed manner. A highly up-to-date reference work.

Product details

Author:	Michael Normann
Details:	176 pages, 10.6 x 9.25 x 0.63 in (27 x 23.5 x 1.6 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	180 b&w and color photos
Language:	German
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2023)
ISBN:	9783613045323