Another very interesting book on the Model Detail Photo Monograph series is this one on the Yak-18 trainer. This is an aircraft that few outside the countries that flew it are even aware existed. Yet the Yak-18 was the standard advanced trainer for the Soviet Union, Warsaw Pact countries and Soviet Allies for many years.

The aircraft was developed just after WWII, first flying in mid-1947. It soon was apparent that this was a winning design that was relatively easy to fly and easily constructed. Over 4,000 were built both in the USSR and in China. There were also tricycle landing gear versions as well as single and four seat variants.

In common with others in this series, the full color monograph focuses on extant aircraft, in this case a Yak-18 of the Polish Aviation Museum which has been completely restored by the Polish Eagles Foundation. It is in outstanding shape and if it was possible to put a camera lens into a spot, it was photographed. A few illustrations from technical manuals help out, but most of this is a series of superbly done photographs.

For those who are wondering how to get a model of this aircraft, in addition to a few resin and vacuform kits, Amodel and Trumpeter both do kits and they should be relatively available. This is really an excellent series and most reasonably priced as well. It is one that I have no trouble recommending.

Thanks to  Airconnection for the review book.

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