Midland Publishing

AeroFax Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot

by  Yefim Gordon

Reviewed By  Charles Landrum, IPMS# 26328

MSRP: $36.95 ISBN 10: 1857802543 ISBN 13: 9781857802542 Item # MC254 Review copy provided by and can be ordered directly at: www.specialtypress.com Yefim Gordon and Midland Publishing continue to fill out the library on Soviet/Russian Aircraft development by this time chronicling the modern Shturmovik, the Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot. Born out of the Soviet doctrine emphasizing frontal aviation supporting of ground forces in a major land engagement, the Frogfoot ironically has only tasted blood as a counter-insurgency weapon: first during the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan and later during the small conflicts in the former Soviet Union and Africa. This baptism of fire resulted in improvements to the Su-25 and changes in its employment. What is remarkable is that, like the A-10, the Su-25 has survived in an Air Force dominated by high performance fighter aircraft and fighter-bombers and has received few significant upgrades in the operational forces. Widely exported this versatile aircraft it will no doubt soldier on for many years. This volume is another in the AeroFax series. With 176 pages in a soft bound edition it contains over 300 B&W and color, excellent 3-view drawings and color profiles. The chapter breakdown of the book: Chapter 1 - The T-8 Prototype and its Competition Chapter 2 - Prototypes & Experimental Aircraft Chapter 3 - Production & Experimental Versions Chapter 4 - Su-25 Design Description Chapter 5 - The New Generation of Sturmoviks Chapter 6 - The Su-25T (T-8M) in Detail Chapter 7 - The Russian Upgrades Chapter 8 - Above the Battlefields: The Su-25 in Action Chapter 9 - Su-25 Operators Appendix 1 - Su-25 Family Specifications Appendix 2 - Su-25 Production List This book focuses on the variant and service life of the aircraft more so than on the development of the aircraft. In fact, Yefim only devotes 12 pages to a developmental history that had some significantly differing ideas on design. He notes the similarity in design between the Northrop YA-9 and Su-25 maintaining the Russian claim that they were parallel designs stemming from similar requirements. More focus is paid in the next chapter on the prototypes and the subsequent refinements made to achieve the aircraft we know as the Su-25. There is a later chapter devoted to upgrades made to the airframe following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. As would be expected there is much to discuss with respects to the operational history and the many users of the aircraft. The majority of operations related are the Soviet experience in Afghanistan, the Russian Experience in Chechnya and the conflicts between the former Soviet states in the Caucuses. The chapter highlighting the number of air forces flying the Frogfoot is surprising in the number and diversity of countries and includes mention of the ill-fated Frogfoot of Ivory Coast which were destroyed by a raid of French special forces following a bombing attack on French peacekeepers. This is another book from Midland publishing that is certain to please the modeler and armchair modeler. While internet sources can fill in some of the information provided on the aircraft, its use and operators, those sources are not nearly as comprehensive nor do they provided as many invaluable photographs and graphics. If you are a fan or modeler of the Su-25 this is a book not to pass up. Special thanks to Specialty Press for providing the review copy.

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