Ian Allan Publishing Ltd

Russian Air Power

by  Yefim Gordon

Reviewed By  Perry Downen, IPMS# 44000

MSRP: $63.95 ISBN: 978-1-85780-316-8 Website: www.specialtypress.com Many thanks go to Specialty Press for graciously submitting this wonderful book to IPMS for review and to IPMS for allowing me to review it. My first impression of this 9" X 12" hardbound book is expressed in one word – WOW! The first thing I did was to quickly thumb through it. I was amazed at the number and quality of pictures as well as the colorful profiles I saw. The aircraft covered in this book are not listed in alphabetical order or by manufacturer like so many other books. In fact, there is not even an index that lists them. The aircraft are discussed within the framework of the organization to which they are assigned. Basically, these are the major branches of the new Russian Air Force. There are no tables of specifications and performance figures for the aircraft. Most of this information is provided within the text as the author describes the aircraft. In the INTRODUCTION the author tells us that a new Russian Air Force is evolving. He briefly discusses some of the reasons reorganization is necessary. While these changes will continue through 2012, this book depicts the Russian Air Force’s configuration as of September 2008. Chapter One is very important in understanding the Russian Air Force. The author gives us a short history lesson on the evolution of the Russian Air Force. Beginning in 1940 he describes the different organizations the various Soviet leaders imposed on it. He describes the massive disruptions caused by the demise of the Soviet Union in 1991 and how the Russian Air Force reorganized its remaining assets to accomplish its mission. A major initiative was to transition from a 5-service Armed Forces structure (Army, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, and Strategic Missile Force) to a 3-service structure similar to the USA and several other nations. This consolidation caused a new order of battle to be established. The author lists this order of battle starting with the top command all the way down to the operational regiments and squadrons. The next eight chapters cover the aviation branches in the Russian Air Force as well as Naval Aviation, training, flight test centers, and strategic reserves. The Naval chapter is interesting. It includes the history of the aircraft carrier Kuznetsov with several pictures of the ship and its regiment of fighters. The concluding chapter, PROSPECTS, has undertones of the old cold war military rhetoric. For example, the author states, "Given the present political and economic situation in the world, no one can give guarantees that potential threats to Russia’s security will not be transformed into real ones". As that for a basis he goes on to discuss several new aircraft in development, up-grade modifications to existing aircraft and new weapon systems. Through out the book when the author mentions an organization, weapons system, aircraft name, etc, he provides the Russian equivalent. For example, Special Purpose Army (AON –armiya osobovo naznacheniya). This is somewhat helpful because subsequent mention of Special Purpose Army is in terms of the Russian abbreviation AON. The text is quite interesting and full of information, but for the modeler the real wealth of this book lies in its photographs. There are 550 color photographs. There are no black and whites. The photographs are large, clear, crisp, and loaded with detail. The modeler will find these useful for detailing and for paint schemes. There are also 200 excellent color profiles that can be helpful in finishing out a model. The reader will also find 120 color regimental and squadron badges. Scattered through out the pages are color photographs of leading Russian Air Force commanders, pilots, and ground crews. For someone who grew up in the cold war years, the Soviet Air Force was a deep dark mystery. This book brings the Russian Air Force into the light and it’s not so mysterious any more. Because of this, I found the text to be extremely interesting. For the modeler, the color photographs and profiles could be very helpful if not a "must have". Better quality pictures cannot be found on the Internet and certainly not in the quantity found in this book. For these reasons I strongly recommend this volume as an excellent addition to your library. Thanks again to Specialty Press and IPMS for the opportunity to review this very interesting and colorful book.