This new book from Mushroom Models Publications is on the Yak-23, one of the Soviet Union's earliest jet fighters. Though derived from German engineering, it had a wholly Soviet fuselage with what was then a cutting edge British turbojet engine. It was thanks to this moment of stupidity by the British is providing Nene engines to the Soviets that they were able to catch up and in some ways surpass the West when they brought out the MiG-15. But that is another story.

The Yak-23 story actually starts much earlier with the Yak-15. This was basically a Yak-3 airframe with a Jumo 004 grafted onto the nose. Built in small numbers, along with the Yak-17, these aircraft introduced the Soviet air force to turbojet operations. Even the Yak-23 was not heavily mass produced as the far more potent MiG-15 entered service shortly after the Yak-23 and so relegated the type to Warsaw Pact nations and Soviet training units.

In this book, the author provides a full history of all these aircraft including both development and operational use by the various services. This is then followed by a details section that uses period tech manuals and photographs as well as images from the many extant airframes to show the different parts of the aircraft, including those sections that are different from type to type. Finally, there are many pages of superb color profiles showing the type in all variations and in use by all services. This is additionally enhanced throughout the book by 1/72 line drawings of the different versions that includes all of the trainer aircraft as well.

It is another great addition to the MMP family of books that offers all that both the modeler and the enthusiast are seeking in a book on a specific aircraft. It is a book that I found to be superbly done and one that I can highly recommend to you.

December 2008

Please visit Mushroom Models Publications at their website listed below if you cannot find them locally.

Many thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for providing the review copy. Your support is appreciated.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.